Property Consulting · Encumbrance Cancellation
Cancellation of mortgage and encumbrances
Paid mortgages and other annotations properly cancelled at the Registry of Deeds, so the title shows what is actually true.
Overview
Paid off is not the same as cleared
Paying off a loan does not remove the mortgage from the title. The mortgage stays annotated until the lender executes a release or cancellation of mortgage and that document is registered with the Registry of Deeds. Many owners discover years later, often in the middle of a sale, that a loan settled long ago still shows on their title and blocks the transfer.
Cancellation means getting the right document from the mortgagee, which may be a bank that has since merged or changed its name, and presenting it with the owner’s duplicate title for annotation. Other encumbrances, such as adverse claims or notices of lis pendens, follow their own rules, and some can only be lifted by a court order. We identify what each annotation requires and clear it.
What we handle
Cancellation services
Every annotation, properly cleared.
Mortgage release
Release or cancellation of mortgage obtained from the bank or other mortgagee.
Registry annotation
Cancellation registered and annotated on the title at the Registry of Deeds.
Other encumbrances
Adverse claims, levies and other annotations assessed and cleared where possible.
Pre-sale clean-up
Titles cleared ahead of a sale so the transfer is not held up.
How it works
How it works
From annotated title to clean title.
Title review
A certified true copy reviewed to identify every annotation.
Documents obtained
The release and supporting documents secured from the mortgagee or party concerned.
Registration
Cancellation documents presented at the Registry of Deeds with the owner’s duplicate.
Updated title
The annotated title confirmed clean and ready for sale or transfer.
Why clear titles with ILA
Full title review
Every annotation identified, not just the one you know about.
Lender follow-up
We chase the releases that banks are slow to issue.
Sale-ready result
Titles cleared so your transfer is not delayed at closing.
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation questions, answered
We paid off our home loan. Why does the mortgage still show?
Because the annotation stays until the lender’s release is registered. The bank usually issues the release and returns the owner’s duplicate title after full payment, but the registration step at the Registry of Deeds is often never done.
The bank that held our mortgage no longer exists. What now?
Banks that merged or were acquired usually pass their records to the successor institution, which can issue the release. Where that is not possible, other remedies may apply, and we confirm the route for your case.
Can every annotation be cancelled administratively?
No. A paid mortgage is usually straightforward once the release is signed, but some annotations, such as a notice of lis pendens, generally need a court order. Where that applies, we coordinate with counsel.
Is an old mortgage still on your title?
Book a free consultation and we will review the annotations and what it takes to clear them.
