property

recording

The act of filing a deed, mortgage, or other document affecting title in the public records, usually at the county recorder's office. Recording gives constructive notice to the world of the owner's interest and helps establish priority among competing claims. An unrecorded deed can still be valid between the parties, but it may not protect the buyer against later good-faith purchasers.

Exam tip
Recording provides constructive notice; it is not required for a deed to be valid between grantor and grantee.
Example
Right after closing, the title company records the new deed and mortgage at the county office so the buyer's ownership is public.

1. Recording a deed in the county records primarily serves to:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. Recording provides public (constructive) notice, protecting the owner's interest against later claims.

Related terms & state variants

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23