Sonoma County Notice of Pending Action Form

Additional California and Sonoma County documents included at no extra charge:

Where to Record Your Documents

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Cities and Jurisdictions in Sonoma County

Properties in any of these areas use Sonoma County forms:

• Annapolis
• Bodega
• Bodega Bay
• Boyes Hot Springs
• Camp Meeker
• Cazadero
• Cloverdale
• Cotati
• Duncans Mills
• El Verano
• Eldridge
• Forestville
• Fulton
• Geyserville
• Glen Ellen
• Graton
• Guerneville
• Healdsburg
• Jenner
• Kenwood
• Monte Rio
• Occidental
• Penngrove
• Petaluma
• Rio Nido
• Rohnert Park
• Santa Rosa
• Sebastopol
• Sonoma
• Stewarts Point
• The Sea Ranch
• Valley Ford
• Villa Grande
• Vineburg
• Windsor

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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 Sonoma County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the county recording office listed above.

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

Our Promise

The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Sonoma 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.

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