 TITLE: What Happens When You Pay Off Your Mortgage? CONTENT: Receive the Documents\n---------------------\nOnce your mortgage is paid off, you'll receive a number of documents from your lender that show your loan has been paid in full and that the bank no longer has a lien on your house. These papers are often called a mortgage release or mortgage satisfaction.\nYou'll likely receive:\n*   A statement indicating that the loan's balance has been paid in full\n*   A canceled promissory note (when you took out the mortgage, you signed one)\nIn many cases, your lender will file a certificate of satisfaction with your county government, which releases the home's deed to you and indicates that you are now the sole owner. Ask your lender if they will do this for you. If they will, be aware that it can take a few weeks or months for it to be filed. Once your lender has told you they've filed the documents, contact your local records office to confirm that their records show your mortgage has been cancelled.\nIf your lender says they don't file it for you, you can file it yourself—just check with your local county clerk or registrar to find out what the process entails. END