Definition
A race-notice statute gives priority to a later purchaser who both has no knowledge of earlier claims AND records first. This balances protection for innocent purchasers with incentives for prompt recording.
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Race-notice statutes combine elements of both race and notice statutes: you must be a good-faith purchaser without notice of earlier claims, AND you must record before the earlier claimant. This balances protection for innocent purchasers with incentives for prompt recording. It's the most common recording statute in U.S. states today. A person who has actual or constructive notice cannot benefit from race-notice protection, even if they record first. Similarly, a good-faith buyer with no notice won't get priority unless they record before the earlier buyer. This statute creates the strongest incentive for prompt recording: even innocent purchasers need to record quickly to protect themselves. The race-notice system is considered fairer than pure race statutes because it doesn't reward dishonest actors, while providing more incentive for recording than pure notice statutes.
Pro Tip
Most states use race-notice statutes. Record immediately after closing to protect your priority.
Example
Sarah buys a house but delays recording her deed. Tom buys the property without knowledge of Sarah's claim (good faith) and immediately records his deed. Tom gets priority because he was a good-faith purchaser without notice AND recorded first.