The Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance is a single recordable document in which the present Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust appoints a new Trustee, and that Trustee then reconveys the property. The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk lists it under the Recorder, on the same forms page as the Assessor's San Bernardino County property tax forms. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the county at arc.sbcounty.gov.
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What is Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance – San Bernardino County, CA?
The Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance is a one-page recordable document, published by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, in which the present Beneficiary appoints a successor Trustee under a Deed of Trust and that Trustee reconveys, without warranty, the trustee's interest in the property.
The text does two things in sequence. First, the present Beneficiary, as owner and holder of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust, appoints and substitutes a new Trustee in place of the Trustee named in the Deed of Trust. Second, the successor Trustee accepts the appointment and, at the request of the owner and holder, reconveys all the estate, title and interest held by the trustee under that Deed of Trust. The reconveyance is made "without warranty, to the person or persons legally entitled thereto."
The form identifies the Deed of Trust by its date, Trustor(s), original Trustee, Beneficiary, recording date, Instrument Number and the California county where it was recorded. It carries a recording block (with APN, title order number and escrow number), signature lines for the Beneficiary and the successor Trustee, and a notary acknowledgment certificate.
The county's forms page also lists Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance as separate Recorder documents. This form combines both steps in one instrument. A printed note on the form says legal status varies and suggests consulting an attorney if you are unsure which document fits your transaction.
Who needs to file Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance – San Bernardino County, CA?
The main users are two parties who sign the document. The first is the present Beneficiary, who must be the owner and holder of the Note secured by the Deed of Trust and who appoints the substitute Trustee. The second is the successor Trustee, who accepts the appointment and carries out the reconveyance at the request of that owner and holder.
The form is written for a Deed of Trust recorded in a California county, and it is recorded with the Recorder's office, where the county lists it. A notary public or other officer completes the acknowledgment certificate for the people who sign.
Use a different document if your situation calls only for appointing a new trustee or only for a reconveyance: the county lists Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance as separate forms. The form itself states that there are various types of forms depending on each person's legal status and that you may want to consult an attorney before using it. It names no one else who may sign on a party's behalf.
When to file Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance – San Bernardino County, CA
The trigger is the moment the present Beneficiary, as owner and holder of the Note, decides to appoint a successor Trustee and have the Deed of Trust reconveyed. The form prints no deadline of its own, and no filing window is stated on it. It carries a Dated: line that the signers complete, and it asks the notary to date the acknowledgment. Because the document is meant to be recorded ("Recording requested by and when recorded mail document and tax statement to"), it goes to the Recorder after it is signed and the notary certificate is completed. For timing questions or recording requirements, contact the Recorder's office through the county's website.
How to fill out Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance – San Bernardino County, CA
Complete the recording request block
In the top-left box, enter the NAME, STREET ADDRESS and CITY, STATE & ZIP CODE to which the recorded document and tax statement should be mailed. Add the TITLE ORDER NO., ESCROW NO. and APN in the spaces provided, and leave the Recorder's space untouched.
Identify the Deed of Trust
Enter the date of the Deed of Trust, the Trustor(s) who made it, the original Trustee and the Beneficiary named in it. Then enter the date it was recorded, its Instrument Number and the California county of the Official Records.
Name the substitute Trustee
In the sentence that begins "hereby appoints and substitutes," enter the name of the new Trustee who replaces the Trustee named in the Deed of Trust.
Enter the accepting Trustee
On the line before "accepts said appointment as Trustee," enter the name of the successor Trustee who accepts the appointment and carries out the reconveyance.
Enter the date
Fill in the Dated: line with the date the document is signed.
Print the signer names
Type or print the name of the present Beneficiary and the name of the successor Trustee on the lines for Typed or Printed Name, so they match the signature lines above.
Sign before the notary
The present Beneficiary and the successor Trustee each sign on their own signature line. The acknowledgment certificate below is completed by the notary public or other officer.
Leave the notary certificate to the notary
The notary enters the STATE OF and COUNTY OF, the date, the notary's name, the names of those who appeared, then signs and affixes the seal.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the Deed of Trust details, the names and the return block. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then have it signed and notarized before it is recorded.
How to submit Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance – San Bernardino County, CA
The form is a recordable document, so it is presented to the San Bernardino County Recorder after it is signed and the notary certificate is completed. The county lists it under the Recorder on its forms page at https://arc.sbcounty.gov/forms-fees/. The form itself prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule.
What the document does print:
- Return block: the top-left box, "Recording requested by and when recorded mail document and tax statement to," takes the name and address to which the recorded document is returned.
- Recorder's space: the area marked "Space above this line for Recorder's use only" must stay free for the Recorder.
The county's forms page also lists a Fee Schedule (Recorder-County Clerk) as a separate document. Check it, or contact the Recorder, before you submit. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the county's channels, not this site.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using this combined form when you only need a separate Substitution of Trustee or a Full Reconveyance, which the county lists as individual Recorder forms.
- Writing in the area marked "Space above this line for Recorder's use only", which is reserved for the Recorder.
- Entering a recording date, Instrument Number or county that does not match the recorded Deed of Trust the form identifies.
- Leaving out the name and address in the return block, so the recorded document and tax statement have no place to be mailed.
- Collecting only one signature: the form has signature and printed-name lines for both the present Beneficiary and the successor Trustee.
- Assuming the notary vouches for the content: the certificate states that the notary verifies only the signer's identity, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the document.
- Filling in the notary certificate yourself instead of leaving the State, County, date, notary name, signature and seal to the notary.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance?
It is a recordable document in which the present Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust appoints a substitute Trustee, and that Trustee accepts and reconveys, without warranty, all the interest the trustee holds under the Deed of Trust. The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk lists it under the Recorder.
Who signs the Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance?
The present Beneficiary, as owner and holder of the Note, and the successor Trustee each sign, and each has a typed or printed name line. A notary public or other officer then completes the acknowledgment certificate for the people who signed.
Is this form different from the separate Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance forms?
Yes. The county's forms page lists Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance as separate Recorder documents. This form combines both in one instrument: it appoints the successor Trustee and has that Trustee reconvey the property.
Does the form need to be notarized?
The form includes a notary acknowledgment certificate for the notary public or other officer to complete. The certificate states that the notary verifies only the identity of the person who signed, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the document.
Where do I send the Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance?
The form prints no address, but it is a recordable document and the county lists it under the Recorder. Contact the San Bernardino County Recorder, through the county's forms page at arc.sbcounty.gov/forms-fees/, for recording details and the Fee Schedule (Recorder-County Clerk).
Can I fill out this form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not connected to the county, and it does not record or submit the document; you present it to the Recorder through the county's channels.
Should I talk to an attorney before using this form?
The form itself says there are various types of forms depending on each person's legal status and that you may want to consult an attorney if you have questions about which document form is appropriate for your transaction.
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