Definition
A mortgage discharge is the official lender document confirming the loan has been repaid in full. It is necessary for the notary to proceed with the cancellation (discharge) of the mortgage in the Land Registry.
Procedure during a sale: 1. At closing, the notary receives the sale proceeds 2. They repay the remaining mortgage balance to the lender 3. The lender issues a release (or discharge authorization) 4. The notary registers the mortgage discharge in the Land Registry 5. The property title is transferred to the buyer free of any mortgage
Timelines: lenders generally have 30-60 days to issue the official release after repayment, although in practice they issue a discharge authorization more quickly to allow closing.