Monterey County Notice of Pending Action Form

Last validated April 9, 2026 by our Forms Development Team

Monterey County Notice of Pending Action Form

Monterey County Notice of Pending Action Form

Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Document Last Validated 2/13/2026
Monterey County Notice of Pending Action Guide

Monterey County Notice of Pending Action Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document Last Validated 3/11/2026
Monterey County Completed Example of the Notice of Pending Action Document

Monterey County Completed Example of the Notice of Pending Action Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document Last Validated 4/9/2026
Monterey County Proof of Service Form

Monterey County Proof of Service Form

Fill in the blank Notice of Pending Action form formatted to comply with all California recording and content requirements.

Document Last Validated 2/3/2026
Monterey County Proof of Service Guide

Monterey County Proof of Service Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document Last Validated 3/6/2026
Monterey County Completed Example of the Proof of Service Document

Monterey County Completed Example of the Proof of Service Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document Last Validated 3/23/2026

All 6 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees

Immediate Download • Secure Checkout

Important: Your property must be located in Monterey County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

Where to Record Your Documents

Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

Address:
168 West Alisal St, 1st floor / PO Box 29
Salinas, California 93902-0570

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm / Recording until 4:00 pm

Phone: (831) 755-5041 or toll free from peninsula (831) 647-77

Recording Tips for Monterey County:
  • Double-check legal descriptions match your existing deed
  • Verify all names are spelled correctly before recording
  • Check margin requirements - usually 1-2 inches at top
  • Bring multiple forms of payment in case one isn't accepted

Cities and Jurisdictions in Monterey County

Properties in any of these areas use Monterey County forms:

  • Aromas
  • Big Sur
  • Bradley
  • Carmel
  • Carmel By The Sea
  • Carmel Valley
  • Castroville
  • Chualar
  • Gonzales
  • Greenfield
  • Jolon
  • King City
  • Lockwood
  • Marina
  • Monterey
  • Moss Landing
  • Pacific Grove
  • Pebble Beach
  • Salinas
  • San Ardo
  • San Lucas
  • Seaside
  • Soledad
  • Spreckels

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Monterey County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Monterey County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.

Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Monterey County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Monterey County, including margin requirements, font requirements, and other layout standards. This guarantee applies to formatting, not to the legal sufficiency of information entered by the user or the suitability of a form for a particular transaction.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Monterey County you only need to order once.

What do I need to use these forms?

The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.

Are there any recurring fees?

No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

How much does it cost to record in Monterey County?

Recording fees in Monterey County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (831) 755-5041 or toll free from peninsula (831) 647-77 for current fees.

Questions answered? Let's get started!

A Notice of Pending Action, formerly known as a lis pendens, is a document that is recorded to give constructive record notice of a pending lawsuit. The lawsuit must involve a claim which affects (a) title to, or right to possession of, real property; or (b) the use of an easement. [Code Civ. Proc. 405.4] When recorded, the notice lets subsequent buyers, transferees and encumbrancers know that an action is pending which affects the real property.

An attorney of record in an action may sign a notice of pendency of action. Alternatively, a judge of the court in which an action that includes a real property claim is pending may, on request of a party, approve a notice of pendency of action. A notice of pendency of action may only be recorded if: (1) it has been signed by the attorney of record; (2) it is signed by a party acting in propria persona ("for one's self," acting on one's own behalf) and approved by a judge; or (3) the action is one in eminent domain and subject to Code Civ. Proc. 405.6. [Code Civ. Proc. 405.21]

A party to an action who asserts a real property claim may record a notice of pendency in the action in which that real property claim is alleged. The notice must be recorded in the office of the recorder of each county in which all or part of the real property is situated. The notice must contain the names of all parties to the action and a description of the property affected by the action. [Code Civ. Proc. 405.20]

Except in eminent domain actions subject to Code Civ. Proc. 405.6, a real property claimant must, prior to recording the notice, mail a copy of it, by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, to all known addresses of the parties to whom the real property claim is adverse, and to all owners of record of the real property affected by the claim. Immediately after recording, file a copy of the notice with the court in which the action is pending. [Code Civ. Proc. 405.22]

Any failure to meet the statutory obligations, including the Proof of Service requirement, will render the notice of pendency of action void and invalid as to any adverse party or owner of record. [Code Civ. Proc. 405.23]

Lawsuits can be complicated, and even small errors can affect the outcome of a case. Please contact an attorney with questions about using the Notice of Pending Action, or for any other issues related to real property in California.

(California Notice of Pending Action Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

Important: Your property must be located in Monterey County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

This Notice of Pending Action meets all recording requirements specific to Monterey County.

Our Promise

The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Monterey County recording format requirements. If there is a rejection caused by our formatting, we will correct the issue or refund your payment. This guarantee applies to document formatting only and does not extend to information entered by the user, the selection of the form, or the legal effect of the completed document.

Save Time and Money

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Reply from Staff

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on our legal form. We're pleased to hear that you found the process for obtaining the document and the included guide beneficial.

We understand and appreciate your concern regarding the formatting and size limitations of certain fields, especially the 'property description' field. Our forms are designed to adhere to specific formatting requirements that are often mandated for legal compliance. Making direct alterations to the document can result in them becoming non-conforming, which is why we advise customers to use an exhibit page when their legal description is extensive or does not fit.

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Reply from Staff

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