Sonoma County Notice of Pending Action Form (California)

All Sonoma County specific forms and documents listed below are included in your immediate download package:

Notice of Pending Action Form

Sonoma County Notice of Pending Action Form

Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.
Included Sonoma County compliant document last validated/updated 10/11/2024

Notice of Pending Action Guide

Sonoma County Notice of Pending Action Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.
Included Sonoma County compliant document last validated/updated 10/16/2024

Completed Example of the Notice of Pending Action Document

Sonoma County Completed Example of the Notice of Pending Action Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.
Included Sonoma County compliant document last validated/updated 10/16/2024

Proof of Service Form

Sonoma County Proof of Service Form

Fill in the blank Notice of Pending Action form formatted to comply with all California recording and content requirements.
Included Sonoma County compliant document last validated/updated 11/1/2024

Proof of Service Guide

Sonoma County Proof of Service Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.
Included Sonoma County compliant document last validated/updated 4/4/2024

Completed Example of the Proof of Service Document

Sonoma County Completed Example of the Proof of Service Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.
Included Sonoma County compliant document last validated/updated 10/21/2024

When using these Notice of Pending Action forms, the subject real estate must be physically located in Sonoma County. The executed documents should then be recorded in the following office:

Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar

585 Fiscal Dr, Room 103 / PO Box 1709, Santa Rosa, California 95403 / 95402

Hours: 8:00 to 5:00, Wed until 4:00 / Same-day Recording until 4:00

Phone: (707) 565-2651

Local jurisdictions located in Sonoma County include:

  • 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

How long does it take to get my forms?

Forms are available immediately after submitting payment.

How do I get my forms, are they emailed?

Immediately after you submit payment, the Sonoma County forms you order will be available for download directly from your account. You can then download the forms to your computer. If you do not already have an account, one will be created for you as part of the order process, and your login details will be provided to you. If you encounter any issues accessing your forms, please reach out to our support team for assistance. Forms are NOT emailed to you.

What does "validated/updated" mean?

This indicates the most recent date when at least one of the following occurred:

  • Updated: The document was updated or changed to remain compliant.
  • Validated: The document was examined by an attorney or staff, or it was successfully recorded in Sonoma County using our eRecording service.
Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Sonoma County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Sonoma County including margin requirements, content requirements, font and font size requirements.

Can the Notice of Pending Action forms be re-used?

Yes. You can re-use the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have more than one property in Sonoma County that you need to transfer you would only need to order our forms once for all of your properties in Sonoma County.

What are supplemental forms?

Often when a deed is recorded, additional documents are required by California or Sonoma County. These could be tax related, informational, or even as simple as a coversheet. Supplemental forms are provided for free with your order where available.

What type of files are the forms?

All of our Sonoma County Notice of Pending Action forms are PDFs. You will need to have or get Adobe Reader to use our forms. Adobe Reader is free software that most computers already have installed.

Do I need any special software to use these forms?

You will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to use our forms. Adobe Reader is free software that most computers already have installed.

Do I have to enter all of my property information online?

No. The blank forms are downloaded to your computer and you fill them out there, at your convenience.

Can I save the completed form, email it to someone?

Yes, you can save your deed form at any point with your information in it. The forms can also be emailed, blank or complete, as attachments.

Are there any recurring fees involved?

No. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

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)

Our Promise

The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Sonoma County recording requirements for formatting. If there's an issue caused by our formatting, we'll make it right and refund your payment.

Save Time and Money

Get your Sonoma County Notice of Pending Action form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.

4.8 out of 5 - ( 4420 Reviews )

Jimmy W.

November 1st, 2024

Very thorough with plenty of instructions. Nice to be able to fill in the forms on my computer at my own pace and edit if needed. Jim

Reply from Staff

We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

RUTH A.

October 25th, 2024

I am so very thankful for the service that you provide for the public, thank you very much.

Reply from Staff

We deeply appreciate the trust you have placed in our services. Thank you for your valuable feedback and for choosing us.

Nancy R.

October 25th, 2024

Deeds.com is very precise, helpful and friendly. I found the form I needed without any effort and everything worked perfect and smooth. I recommend it 100%. rnThank you.

Reply from Staff

We are delighted to have been of service. Thank you for the positive review!

Maricarol F.

March 6th, 2019

Found the site very easy to use. My fault I did not answer back right away. What was found is almost what I needed... Thanks.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for the feedback Maricarol, we really appreciate it.

Mary G.

March 7th, 2021

Deeds.com
was a fast and easy site to use
the staff answered my questions online efficiently

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

L B W.

January 22nd, 2021

Bottom line - it was certainly worth the $21 (+-?) I paid for the form and instructions, etc.
Admittedly the form is a little inflexible in terms of editing for readability but I understand that offering greater flexibility would likely make theft more likely. So I'm happy with what I got. One suggestion - add more info about what's required in the "Source of Title" section.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

Nicholas B.

October 24th, 2020

A lot of information to read over but downloading process was great and ill definitely use the service again. Showed me my country and city that my forms would be valid in and the information is step by step with examples and that is great

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

Allan S.

September 19th, 2024

Using this sofftware was a piece of cake!rnDonload was fast and simple. Using the guide supplied I did the Beneficiary Deed in no time.rnWould certainly use this service again without hesitation.rn

Reply from Staff

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!

Gayela C.

September 13th, 2019

Easy to use and I really like having the guides that come along with the forms.

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

Laura L.

July 22nd, 2023

The website looks good and probably like it is easy to use, but I needed a deed in lieu and couldn't fine one.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it. Have a great day!

CARRIE T.

March 10th, 2022

Thought it was pretty simple to use.

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

Norma C.

September 4th, 2019

Great service and process for recording deeds quickly and easily. Also impressed with prompt replies to messages providing clear and specific instructions/guidance.

Reply from Staff

We appreciate your business and value your feedback. Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Gregory G.

April 4th, 2019

Quick and Easy/Immediate Access after payment. Now seeking other forms needed ASAP! Thanks!

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

BARBARA L.

February 15th, 2023

Fairly easy to use. I had to really search to get some info. I had to use the Exhibit feature because the description box was way too small and I ended up re-typing it. The package had good and useful links. The County Clerk looked at it and said, "I see you used an online form, and that's OK, but..." and proceeded to show me a couple of things that were left out. They recorded it with no problems.

Reply from Staff

Thank you!

James W.

June 10th, 2019

It turned out that I was able to search for what I needed on the local county website, which is what your site suggested be tried. I was impressed with your honesty and practical instructions for searches your site gave. I'm pretty sure I'll be back.

Reply from Staff

Thank you for your feedback James. Glad to hear we were able to steer you in the right direction.