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California · TitleCalifornia quiet title: an action against adverse claims, started with a complaint and a notice of pendency

California's quiet title chapter allows an action to establish title against adverse claims to real or personal property or any interest in it (Code of Civil Procedure §760.020(a)). The action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court (§761.010(a)), and immediately upon commencement the plaintiff must file a notice of the pendency of the action in the office of the county recorder of each county where any real property described in the complaint is located (§761.010(b)). Because the notice is recorded at the start, a quiet title suit shows up on a title search for the parcel while it's pending.

What the statutes set

  1. Purpose (§760.020(a))

    Establish title against adverse claims to the property or an interest in it.

  2. Commencement (§761.010(a))

    Filing a complaint with the court.

  3. Notice (§761.010(b))

    Immediately record a notice of pendency in each county with described land.

  4. Title search

    The recorded notice shows the pending suit on the parcel.

What the TC does when a California deal needs a quiet title judgment

  • Ask the title company exactly which cloud it requires a judgment to remove.
  • Confirm the notice of pendency was recorded in each county where the land lies.
  • Set the closing date after the judgment and its recording, with the attorneys' input.

Questions about California quiet title

What does a California quiet title action do?

It establishes title against adverse claims to real or personal property or any interest in it (CCP §760.020(a)).

Must a lis pendens be recorded in a California quiet title case?

Yes. Immediately upon filing the complaint, the plaintiff must record a notice of pendency in each county where the described real property lies (CCP §761.010(b)).

Related guides

Track the quiet title judgment and its recording as tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: Code of Civil Procedure §§760.020, 761.010 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov), read October 31, 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.