New Homeowner Resource
The closing documents worth keeping, and why
You signed a stack of paper at closing. A handful of those pages matter for years. Here is what to hold onto, where your deed goes, and the scam letter to ignore.
Closing generates a thick pile of documents, and most people file the whole thing away and never look again. That is fine for most of it. But a few of those documents are the ones you will reach for when you sell, refinance, or need to prove you own your home, and they are worth keeping where you can find them.
Here is the short list that matters, and what each one is for.
The documents to keep
- Closing Disclosure or settlement statementThe line-by-line accounting of the transaction. It shows your purchase price and closing costs, some of which become part of your cost basis. You will want this when you sell to help figure your taxable gain. This is the starting point for your home improvement and cost basis log.
- The recorded grant deedThe document that transfers ownership to you and names how you hold title. This is your proof that you own the home.
- Title insurance policyProtects your ownership against claims and defects from before you bought, like an old lien or an error in the chain of title. It stays in force for as long as you own the home, so keep it.
- Promissory note and deed of trustThe note is your promise to repay the loan and the deed of trust secures it against the property. You sign both at your closing signing if you have a mortgage, and you receive copies from your escrow or settlement agent and your lender at or shortly after closing. The deed of trust is recorded with the county and comes back like your deed, while your lender holds the original note and you keep a copy. If you paid all cash, you will not have either of these.
- Signed purchase agreementThe contract that set the deal, including what was and was not included and any terms the seller agreed to. Useful if a dispute surfaces later.
Where your deed actually goes
At closing, your grant deed is sent to the county to be recorded in the public record. That recording is what makes your ownership official. The original deed is then mailed back to you by the county recorder, and that can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months.
In the meantime, your title or escrow company can give you a conformed copy so you are not empty-handed. When the original arrives, put it somewhere safe. You do not need it often, but you do not want to be hunting for it either.
Soon after you close, you may get an official-looking letter offering to send you a certified copy of your deed for 80 dollars or more. It is a solicitation, not a government notice, and you do not need it. The county already sends you your recorded deed, and if you ever want another copy you can order one straight from the county recorder for a few dollars.
Need a copy the right way? Order directly from your county recorder:
Los Angeles County Riverside County San Bernardino County Orange CountyHow long to keep it all
Keep these documents for as long as you own the home, and hold the key ones for several years after you sell, in case a tax return is ever reviewed. The settlement statement and your improvement records are the ones that matter most at sale, because together they set your basis and your gain.
Store them somewhere dry and secure, and keep a digital backup. A scanned copy in the cloud plus the originals in a safe or a file box covers you either way.
Your keep-it checklist
Tick each one as you file it. This list does not save, so treat it as a quick gut check that you have everything in one place.
Lost a document? We can usually help you find it
If you ever cannot put your hands on a closing document, reach out. Between your escrow file, the title company, and the county record, most of these can be tracked down, and we know where to look.
You keep the folder. We keep your back.
This page is for general information only. It is not legal or tax advice. Document names and handling can vary by transaction and by county. For specifics, contact your escrow or title company, or the county recorder.
Common Questions
Closing documents, answered
Which closing documents should I keep after buying a home?
Keep your Closing Disclosure or settlement statement, the recorded grant deed, your title insurance policy, the promissory note and deed of trust, and your signed purchase agreement. They prove what you paid, that you own the home, and the terms of your loan. Hold them for as long as you own the property and several years after you sell.
When do I get my recorded deed?
The grant deed is recorded with the county at closing, and the original is usually mailed back to you by the county recorder several weeks to a few months later. Until it arrives, your title or escrow company can provide a conformed copy. When the original comes, store it safely.
Why does the settlement statement matter after closing?
It lists every dollar of the transaction, including costs that become part of your cost basis. You will want it years from now when you sell, to help calculate your taxable gain, and any time you need to review what you paid.
I got a letter offering a copy of my deed for a fee. Is it real?
It is almost certainly a solicitation, not an official notice. Companies mail new owners official-looking letters offering a certified deed copy for 80 dollars or more. You do not need to pay. You already receive your recorded deed from the county, and you can order another copy directly from the county recorder for a small fee.
New Homeowner Resources
Everything after closing, in one place
The full set of guides we keep for our buyers. Start with the checklist, then work through the rest as you settle in.
Still in your corner
Cannot find a closing document? Ask us.
Between your escrow file, the title company, and the county record, most closing documents can be tracked down. If you are missing one, reach out and we will help you find it.
Part of our new homeowner resources.