Filing vs. Recording a Document

Filing

Filing generally means submitting a document to a court, agency, or other office so it becomes part of that office’s case or process. The receiving office publishes the filing method, form, format, fee, deadline, and whether electronic or paper filing is available.

Recording

Recording generally means placing an eligible document into an official public-records system. Deeds and other land documents are common examples. The local recorder, register of deeds, or land-records office publishes its current recording requirements.

Delivery is not the same as acceptance

Mailing, uploading, or handing over a document shows that it was delivered. The office may still reject it, return it for correction, or request another form, fee, signature, acknowledgment, or supporting document.

Use the office’s own process name before choosing a route

A court may ask for a filing while a land-records office may ask for recording, and one transaction can involve both at different stages. Before choosing a form, portal, provider, or delivery method, identify the office handling the document and use that office’s terminology for the action it expects.

Electronic systems preserve the distinction

Electronic filing and electronic recording change the transmission medium. They do not collapse the underlying functions. A court e-filing portal and a county e-recording system can both accept PDFs while performing very different institutional acts.

Official starting points

• U.S. Courts — Electronic Filing (CM/ECF)
• USA.gov — State and local governments