Satisfactions (2024)

A Satisfaction of Security Instrument is a document that shows an individual has paid a deed of trust or a mortgage in full.

• A Security Instrument is a document that creates an interest in real property. Security Instruments include deeds of trust, mortgages and other grants of security interest such as assignments of leases and rents.
• A recorded satisfaction releases the Security Instrument from the land records in the county where the property is located.

Forms you may need

• Satisfaction of Security Instrument (N.C.G.S. § 45-36.11)
• Trustee's Satisfaction of Deed of Trust (N.C.G.S. § 45-36.21)
• Affidavit of Satisfaction (N.C.G.S. § 45-36.17)

Note: Forms should be printed on legal paper (8.5" x 14").

Please check with your own attorney or mortgage company for further assistance.

Four ways to record a Satisfaction of Security Instrument

1. Satisfaction of Security Instrument: This document shows that a loan has been satisfied and the Security Instrument is terminated. It must be signed by the secured creditor (except a trustee), acknowledged by a Notary Public and contain the required information from the original Security Instrument.
   N.C.G.S. § 45-36.10(a)


2. Trustee's Satisfaction of Security Instrument: The Trustee or Substitute Trustee may submit a "Trustee's Satisfaction of Deed of Trust." It must be signed by the Trustee or Substitute Trustee, acknowledged by a notary public and contain the required * information from the original Security Instrument.
   N.C.G.S. § 45-36.20


3. Affidavit of Satisfaction: A borrower's attorney may prepare and record an Affidavit of Satisfaction to reflect a lender's unjustified failure to provide a record of Satisfaction. The affidavit must be signed by an attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina and acting as a "Satisfaction Agent." This affidavit must also be acknowledged by a notary public and contain all the information required* from the original Security Instrument.
   N.C.G.S. § 45-36.16


4. Electronic Recording: Usually submitted by a mortgage vendor.
   Click here for more information related to eRecording.

*Type of Security Instrument: Deed of trust, mortgage, assignment of leases and rents, etc.
Name of the Borrower: Original grantor, trustor or mortgagor.
Name of the secured party/parties: Original beneficiary, mortgagee. Signature may be different depending on the note holder at the time of Satisfaction.
Book and page number of the Security Instrument to be satisfied.