You can typically find your deed of trust among your loan closing documents, through your mortgage lender's online portal, or by contacting your County Recorder's Office.
A deed of trust is a vital legal document used in some states in place of a mortgage. It secures a promissory note (your loan) with your property and is a crucial part of your homeownership records. Knowing where to locate it is essential for managing your property affairs.
Where to Locate Your Deed of Trust
Finding your deed of trust usually involves checking a few key places, starting with your personal records and moving to public records if necessary.
1. Check Your Personal Records
When you purchased or refinanced your home, you received a substantial packet of documents at the closing. Your deed of trust is almost always included in this collection.
- Loan Closing Documents: Look through the paperwork provided by the title company, attorney, or lender at your loan closing. It will often be clearly labeled as "Deed of Trust," "Trust Deed," or "Mortgage" (depending on your state).
- Home Office Files: Many homeowners keep important financial and property documents in a secure, organized place within their home, such as a filing cabinet or a safe.
2. Access Through Your Lender or Servicer
In today's digital age, your mortgage lender or loan servicer often provides easy access to your loan documents online.
- Online Portal: Most lenders offer a secure online portal where you can view and download various loan-related documents, including your deed of trust. Log in to your account on your lender's or servicer's website and look for sections like "Loan Documents," "Statements," or "Document Center."
- Customer Service: If you can't find it online, contact your lender's or servicer's customer service department. They can guide you on how to access a copy or may be able to mail one to you.
3. Contact Your County Recorder's Office
If you weren't able to find your deed of trust among your personal documents or online through your lender, your next step is to contact your County Recorder's Office. This office (which may also be called the County Clerk, Registrar of Deeds, or Department of Records in some areas) is where deeds of trust are officially filed and become public record.
- Public Record: Deeds of trust are public documents and are recorded with the county where the property is located to provide official notice of the lien.
- Online Search: Many county recorder's offices offer online search portals on their websites. You can often search for documents by property address, parcel number, or the names of the parties involved (e.g., your name as the borrower).
- In-Person Visit: You can visit the office in person during business hours. Staff can assist you in searching for and obtaining a copy of your deed of trust.
- Request by Mail: Some offices allow you to request copies by mail, often requiring a written request form and payment.
- Fees: Be aware that the county recorder's office typically charges a small fee for providing certified copies of recorded documents.
Quick Reference for Finding Your Deed of Trust
| Location Type | How to Access | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Records | Loan closing packet, home files | "Deed of Trust," "Mortgage," "Trust Deed," loan documents |
| Lender/Servicer | Online account portal, customer service phone | "Loan Documents," "Statements," "Document Center" |
| County Recorder's Office | Online search, in-person visit, mail request | Property address, names of borrowers/lenders |
By checking these sources, you should be able to locate your deed of trust efficiently.
