A more thorough explanation:

The recording acts refer to the laws that govern the recording of real estate transactions. These laws require that certain documents related to the transfer of property ownership be recorded in a public registry, usually at the county level. The purpose of recording acts is to provide notice to the public of changes in property ownership and to establish a priority system for competing claims to the same property.

For example, if John sells his house to Jane, the deed transferring ownership must be recorded in the public registry. If John later tries to sell the same house to Bob, Bob's claim to the property would be inferior to Jane's claim because her ownership was recorded first.

Another example is a mortgage. When a borrower takes out a mortgage on a property, the mortgage is recorded in the public registry. This gives notice to potential buyers or lenders that the property is encumbered by a mortgage and establishes the priority of the mortgage holder's claim to the property.