Real Estate Abbreviations: County Property Record Codes Explained

Understanding real estate abbreviations is essential when reviewing county property records, title documents, and public land records. This comprehensive guide decodes the most common acronyms you’ll encounter during property transactions.

Deed Types and Transfers

Common Deed Abbreviations:

• WD (Warranty Deed): The most common type of property transfer, offering full protection to the buyer
• QC (Quick Claim Deed): Transfers ownership interest without warranties
• TD (Trustee’s Deed): Property transfer by a trustee
• SD (Sheriff’s Deed): Property sold through court-ordered sale
• TX (Tax Deed): Property acquired through tax foreclosure
• ED (Executor’s Deed): Transfer from an estate
• GD (Guardian’s Deed): Transfer by a legal guardian
• AD (Administrator’s Deed): Estate transfer when no will exists

Mortgage and Financing Documents

Key Mortgage Abbreviations:

• M (Mortgage): Standard home loan document
• MA (Mortgage Agreement/Extension): Modification to existing mortgage terms
• MM (Mortgage Modification): Changes to loan conditions
• RM (Release of Mortgage): Document clearing paid-off mortgage
• PRM (Partial Release of Mortgage): Release of specific property from mortgage
• FS (Financing Statement): UCC filing securing personal property
• FF (Fixture Filing): Security interest in attached property fixtures

Liens and Judgments

Lien-Related Abbreviations:

• ML (Mechanic’s Lien): Construction or repair payment claim
• FTL (Federal Tax Lien): IRS claim for unpaid taxes
• STL (State Tax Lien): State tax authority claim
• JU (Judgment): Court-ordered debt
• SJ (Statement of Judgment): Recorded court judgment
• HL (Hospital Lien): Medical services payment claim
• PHL (Physician’s Lien): Doctor’s payment claim
• ATL (Attorney’s Lien): Legal fees claim

Releases and Discharges

Release Document Codes:

• RE (Release): General release of claim or lien
• DG (Discharge): Satisfaction of debt or obligation
• RJ (Release of Judgment): Cleared court judgment
• RFT (Release of Federal Tax Lien): IRS lien satisfaction
• RML (Release of Mechanic’s Lien): Contractor lien removal
• PR (Partial Release): Release of portion of secured property

Easements and Agreements

Access and Use Rights:

• EA (Easement): Legal right to use another’s property
• RWY (Right of Way Agreement): Access passage rights
• SA (Subordination Agreement): Priority arrangement between lien holders
• BI (Bond Indenture): Secured debt agreement
• AG (Agreement): General contractual arrangement

Property Interests and Mineral Rights

Oil, Gas, and Mineral Codes:

• OGL (Oil & Gas Lease): Mineral extraction rights
• MD (Mineral Deed): Transfer of subsurface rights
• OGM (Oil, Gas & Minerals): Combined mineral interests
• ORR (Overriding Royalty Interest): Production payment rights
• AO (Assignment of Oil & Gas Lease): Transfer of lease rights

Legal Notices and Filings

Important Notice Types:

• LP (Lis Pendens): Pending lawsuit affecting property
• NO (Notice): General recorded notification
• DL (Declaration): Statement establishing rights or restrictions
• RT (Restrictions): Property use limitations
• FN (Fictitious Name Affidavit): Business name registration

Court Orders and Certificates

Official Document Abbreviations:

• JE (Journal Entry): Recorded court proceeding
• OS (Order Confirming Sale): Court-approved property sale
• DV (Decree of Divorce): Marital dissolution affecting property
• FD (Decree of Final Distribution): Estate settlement order
• DC (Death Certificate): Official death record
• CT (Certificate): Official verification document

UCC and Personal Property

Uniform Commercial Code Filings:

• CU (Continuation of UCC): Extension of UCC filing
• CF (Continuation Fixture File): Extended fixture security interest
• TM (Termination Statement): End of UCC security interest
• PRF (Partial Release Fixture File): Partial UCC release

Other Common Abbreviations

Miscellaneous Property Records:

• PO (Power of Attorney): Legal authority delegation
• PL (Plat): Survey map showing property boundaries
• SU (Survey): Property measurement document
• VA (Vacation Plat): Cancellation of recorded plat
• CD (Contract for Deed): Seller-financed purchase agreement
• AL (Assignment of Lease): Transfer of rental agreement

Understanding Your Property Records

When reviewing county records, these abbreviations appear in document indexes, title searches, and property history reports. Each abbreviation represents a specific legal instrument that affects property ownership, liens, or usage rights.

Pro Tip: The notation “JTL” appearing after many abbreviations stands for “Judgment and Tax Lien,” indicating documents that create or release financial claims against property.

Whether you’re buying property, refinancing, or conducting title research, familiarity with these real estate abbreviations will help you navigate county recorder offices and understand your property’s legal history more effectively.