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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 3Ch. 6Art. 3§ 27287 Recording Instrument Acknowledgement

§ 27287 Recording Instrument Acknowledgement

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 27287 Recording Instrument Acknowledgement

Key Takeaways

  • •Most important papers about property (like deeds or mortgages) must be officially signed in front of a notary or witness to be recorded.
  • •Some special papers (like certain liens or court orders) don’t need this extra signing step.
  • •If a company signs the paper, it must be done by a boss (like the president) or someone authorized.
  • •This rule doesn’t apply to foreclosure papers or deeds given back after a loan is paid.

Example

You sell your house and sign the deed to the new owner.

You can’t just sign the deed alone—you must sign it in front of a notary to prove it’s really you. If you don’t, the deed won’t be officially recorded, and the new owner might not legally own the house.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 27287 Recording Instrument Acknowledgement

Unless it belongs to the class provided for in either Sections 27282 to 27286, inclusive, or Section 1202 or 1203, of the Civil Code, or is a fictitious mortgage or deed of trust as provided in Section 2952 or 2963 of the Civil Code, or is a fictitious oil and gas lease as provided in Section 1219 of the Civil Code, or is a claim of lien under Section 8416 of the Civil Code or a notice of completion under Section 8182 or 9204 of the Civil Code, before an instrument can be recorded its execution shall be acknowledged by the person executing it, or if executed by a corporation, by its president or secretary or other person executing it on behalf of the corporation, or, except for any power of attorney, quitclaim deed, grant deed, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, or other document affecting real property, proved by subscribing witness or as provided in Sections 1198 and 1199 of the Civil Code, and the acknowledgment or proof certified as prescribed by law. This section shall not apply to a trustee’s deed resulting from a decree of foreclosure, or a nonjudicial foreclosure pursuant to Section 2924 of the Civil Code, or to a deed of reconveyance. (Amended (as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 269, Sec. 10) by Stats. 2012, Ch. 202, Sec. 3. (AB 2326) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

civil codeacknowledgmentcorporationagreementforeclosurepropertyliendeed

Related Statutes

  • § 25588 Park Land Ownership Rights
  • § 27201 Recording Real Property Documents
  • § 27280.6 Exclusive Listing Agreement Ban
  • § 27281 Public Property Acceptance Requirements
  • § 27282 Recordable Documents Without Acknowledgment

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 27287.
View Official Source