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Arizona · A.R.S. §33-714Arizona old deeds of trust: when an unreleased lien expires

The lien of an Arizona mortgage or deed of trust that hasn't been satisfied or discharged expires at the latest of these times: ten years after the final maturity date or last payment date, if that date can be found in the county recorder's records; fifty years after the mortgage or deed of trust was recorded, if no such date appears or there is none; or ten years after a notice of intent to preserve the lien is recorded within one of those periods (A.R.S. §33-714(A)). The notice of intent to preserve is signed by the owner of the secured obligation and gives the instrument or recorder's number of the mortgage or deed of trust (§33-714(B)). Expiration of the lien is equivalent for all purposes to a satisfaction, reconveyance, release or other discharge (§33-714(C)), and the rule applies to mortgages and deeds of trust created before or after the section took effect (§33-714(D)).

The rules

  1. 1. Maturity on record (§33-714(A)(1))

    Lien expires ten years after the final maturity date.

  2. 2. No maturity on record (§33-714(A)(2))

    Fifty years after recording.

  3. 3. Notice to preserve (§33-714(A)(3), (B))

    Recorded in time, it extends the lien ten years from recording.

  4. 4. Effect (§33-714(C))

    Expiration equals a release or reconveyance for all purposes.

What the TC can do

  • When the title commitment lists an old unreleased deed of trust, ask the title company whether it has expired under §33-714.
  • Ask whether a notice of intent to preserve is recorded against it.
  • If the lien is still live, ask the seller for a payoff or a reconveyance from the beneficiary.

Questions about old Arizona liens

When does an old Arizona deed of trust stop being a lien?

Ten years after the final maturity date shown in the recorder's records, or fifty years after recording if no maturity date appears, unless a notice of intent to preserve is recorded in time (A.R.S. §33-714(A)).

Is an expired Arizona lien the same as a release?

Yes. Expiration under the statute is equivalent for all purposes to a satisfaction, reconveyance, release or other discharge of the lien (A.R.S. §33-714(C)).

Related guides

Track the old lien and the title company's decision as a title task in ClosingCode.

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Source: A.R.S. §33-714 (azleg.gov, read October 29, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.