The Substitution of Trustee is a recordable document that the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk lists among its Recorder forms. The present beneficiary under a deed of trust signs it to put a new trustee in the place of the original trustee. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The PDF itself is published by the county at arc.sbcounty.gov, and the form leaves the recording details to the Recorder's office.
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What is Substitution of Trustee – San Bernardino County, CA?
The Substitution of Trustee is a one-page recordable document in which the present beneficiary under a deed of trust states that it substitutes a new trustee for the original trustee, in the manner the deed of trust provides, and names the new trustee and that trustee's address.
The form is built as a short chain of recitals. It first identifies the original trustor(s), the original trustee and the original beneficiary(ies), and the deed of trust by its date, recording date, instrument number, book, page and the county whose Official Records hold it. It then states that the undersigned is the present beneficiary and substitutes the new trustee. The beneficiary signs and dates it, and a notary acknowledgment block follows. The top of the page carries the recording block ("Recording requested by and when recorded mail document and tax statement to"), title order and escrow numbers, the A.P.N. line and a space reserved for the Recorder's use.
The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk lists the form under Recorder on its forms page, which also carries the Assessor's property tax forms. It is a recording document, not a San Bernardino County property tax claim. The same page lists separate documents named Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance, Full Reconveyance, Assignment of Deed of Trust and Affidavit of Change of Trustee. The form's footnote advises that you may want to consult an attorney if you are unsure which document form fits your transaction.
Who needs to file Substitution of Trustee – San Bernardino County, CA?
The present beneficiary under a deed of trust uses this form when it wants to substitute a new trustee in the place of the original trustee, in the manner provided in the deed of trust. The form's wording is written for the beneficiary: "the undersigned is the present Beneficiary," and the beneficiary's signature and typed or printed name are the signing lines. There is room for two beneficiaries to sign.
Others who handle the document:
- The new trustee: is named on the form with an address, but does not sign it.
- A notary public or other officer: completes the acknowledgment certificate. The certificate verifies only the identity of the person who signed, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the document.
- Title or escrow companies: the form has fields for a title order number and an escrow number, and a return-to block for whoever should receive the recorded document and the tax statement.
The form itself notes that 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. It does not describe who may sign on behalf of a beneficiary.
When to file Substitution of Trustee – San Bernardino County, CA
The form is used when the present beneficiary decides to substitute a new trustee under a deed of trust. It prints no due date and no filing window of its own, so the timing follows that decision and whatever the deed of trust provides for substitution.
Before you start, gather the details the recitals ask for: the original trustor(s), trustee and beneficiary(ies), and the date, recording date, instrument number, book, page and county of the recorded deed of trust. You also need the new trustee's name and address and the A.P.N. The beneficiary signs and dates the form, and the acknowledgment is completed by a notary or other officer. For recording requirements and timing, contact the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk through its forms page at https://arc.sbcounty.gov/forms-fees/.
How to fill out Substitution of Trustee – San Bernardino County, CA
Complete the return-to block
At the top left, enter the NAME, STREET ADDRESS and CITY, STATE & ZIP CODE of the person who should receive the recorded document and the tax statement.
Enter order numbers and A.P.N.
Fill in the TITLE ORDER NO. and ESCROW NO. if they exist, and the A.P.N. line. Leave the space marked for the Recorder's use empty.
Name the original parties
In the first WHEREAS, enter the original Trustor(s), the original Trustee and the original Beneficiary(ies) under the deed of trust.
Describe the recorded deed of trust
Enter the date of the Deed of Trust and the date it was recorded, then the Instrument Number, Book and Page, and the county of the Official Records, California.
Name the new trustee
After "the undersigned hereby substitutes," enter the name of the new Trustee and the address shown after "whose address is."
Date the document
Enter the date on the Dated line. The statements that the undersigned is the present Beneficiary and desires to substitute a trustee are already printed.
Sign and print beneficiary names
Each beneficiary signs on a (Signature of Beneficiary) line and types or prints the name beneath it on the (Typed or Printed Name of Beneficiary) line.
Leave the acknowledgment to the notary
The notary public or other officer completes STATE OF, COUNTY OF, the date, the officer's name and title, the name of the person signing, the signature and the seal.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the A.P.N., deed of trust details and trustee address, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Have it signed and acknowledged, and contact the county Recorder about recording.
How to submit Substitution of Trustee – San Bernardino County, CA
The form prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule, so the channels for recording it come from the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. Its forms page at https://arc.sbcounty.gov/forms-fees/ lists Substitution of Trustee under Recorder, and the form is headed "Space above this line for Recorder's use only."
What the form itself tells you:
- Return block: the top-left block ("Recording requested by and when recorded mail document and tax statement to") is where you enter the name and address that should receive the document after it is recorded.
- Recorder's space: leave the area marked for the Recorder's use empty.
- Signed and acknowledged: the beneficiary signs, and the notary acknowledgment is completed by the officer before the document is presented.
The same forms page lists a Fee Schedule (Recorder-County Clerk) and a Document Cover Sheet under Recorder; ask the office whether they apply to your recording. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the county's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing in the space marked "Space above this line for Recorder's use only"; that area is reserved for the Recorder.
- Leaving the return block ("Recording requested by and when recorded mail document and tax statement to") blank, so the recorded document and tax statement have no mailing name and address.
- Omitting the A.P.N. or the title order and escrow numbers when the transaction has them.
- Describing the deed of trust incompletely: the recitals ask for its date, recording date, instrument number, book, page and the county of the Official Records.
- Omitting the new trustee's address; the form asks for it after the substitution statement.
- Signing without the notary acknowledgment being completed by a notary public or other officer.
- Assuming this form fits every situation; the form's footnote says the right document depends on each person's legal status and suggests consulting an attorney.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Substitution of Trustee?
It is a recordable document in which the present beneficiary under a deed of trust names a new trustee to take the place of the original trustee, in the manner the deed of trust provides. The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk lists it among its Recorder forms.
Who signs the Substitution of Trustee?
The present beneficiary under the deed of trust signs it; the form has two signature lines with typed or printed names. A notary public or other officer then completes the acknowledgment certificate, which verifies only the signer's identity.
Do I need a notary for this form?
The form includes a notary acknowledgment block, which a notary public or other officer completes after the signer appears. The certificate verifies only the identity of the signer, not whether the document is truthful, accurate or valid.
Is the Substitution of Trustee a San Bernardino County property tax form?
No. The county lists it under Recorder, not Assessor. It is a recording document for a deed of trust. The same forms page also lists the Assessor's separate property tax claims and statements, which are different documents.
What information about the deed of trust do I need?
You need the original trustor(s), trustee and beneficiary(ies), the date and recording date of the deed of trust, its instrument number, book and page, and the county of the Official Records. You also need the A.P.N. and the new trustee's name and address.
Where do I record the completed form?
The form prints no address or portal. The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk lists it under Recorder on its forms page, https://arc.sbcounty.gov/forms-fees/, so contact that office for recording methods and the Recorder fee schedule it lists.
What is the difference between this form and Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance?
The county lists them as two separate Recorder documents. This page covers only the Substitution of Trustee, which substitutes a new trustee. The form's footnote suggests consulting an attorney if you are unsure which document fits your transaction.
Can I fill out the Substitution of Trustee online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the county and does not record or file the document; recording follows the Recorder's channels.
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