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What is a Satisfaction of Mortgage?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A satisfaction of mortgage is a legal document which indicates that all of the obligations associated with a mortgage have been fulfilled and that the lien on the property has been lifted. In addition, people use this term to refer to the act of completing mortgage obligations. It is very important to make sure that this document is filed properly by the lender and to keep a copy in a personal file, because mistakes can be made, and it is possible for a mortgage lien to remain on a property with a fully satisfied mortgage.

Lenders usually issue a satisfaction of mortgage when the mortgage has been paid in full. However, there may be cases in which a borrower is released from his or her obligations and the lien is lifted. These cases are extremely rare, as lenders are usually not inclined to accept partial repayment of a loan.

Satisfaction of mortgage occurs when all obligations of the loan are fulfilled and the lien on the property is released.
Satisfaction of mortgage occurs when all obligations of the loan are fulfilled and the lien on the property is released.

When the obligations of the mortgage are satisfied, the lender is required to file a satisfaction of mortgage with the clerk who handles deed records. This allows the lien on the officially recorded deed to be cleared and will leave the property with a clear title if there are no other outstanding liens on it. For example, a lien associated with a home equity line of credit would remain in place after the mortgage was satisfied and likewise a tax lien would not be lifted once a mortgage was repaid in full.

The lender also usually sends the satisfaction of mortgage to the borrower. It is crucial for borrowers to examine the document to confirm that the information is correct, and to request changes if it is not correct. For example, if the document refers to “123 B East Larch Street” and the house is at “123 A East Larch Street,” it needs to be fixed to show the correct address. Borrowers should also keep their satisfaction of mortgage in a safe place, and it is advisable to make a copy as well.

It is also wise to check with the recorder of deeds to confirm that the satisfaction of mortgage has been filed and the lien has been lifted. If there is a problem, it should be brought up with the lender so that the lender can file the proper paperwork. This could become important later, as for example when people go to sell the property. Existing property liens can hang up a sale.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MyLawQuestions researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MyLawQuestions researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Soulfox

@Terrificli -- good point because a lot of people don't realize just how complex of a thing transferring property actually is. When in doubt, turn to the title abstract as that will reveal the entire history of a property from the day it was first "claimed" to the most recent transfer. If there is any doubt as to the accuracy of that record, then selling that property at a later time might not be possible. A complete abstract, then, is critical.

Terrificli

The last part of this is, perhaps, the most important step -- make sure that has been properly recorded along with a deed showing the property is no longer encumbered by a mortgage. Why? You can wave around a document showing the mortgage has been completed all day long, but there can always be doubt as to whether that's true if that document doesn't appear in the property's history when a title track is run.

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    • Satisfaction of mortgage occurs when all obligations of the loan are fulfilled and the lien on the property is released.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Satisfaction of mortgage occurs when all obligations of the loan are fulfilled and the lien on the property is released.