Many people believe a mortgage is the same thing as a loan and that isn't quite true. A mortgage is the document that provides security for the loan. A loan is made using a promissory note and in that document it allows for a deed of trust to be created which turns the property into collateral for the loan. So when you close on a mortgage you will typically sign two forms. The first one is a promissory note and the second one is called a deed of trust. The deed of trust is also called a "mortgage" and it is usually filed in the county where the property is located to let everyone know that someone else (usually a bank) has a security interest in the property.