A mortgage modification changes the terms of your original mortgage agreement. Your lender will work with you to try and find a way to lower your monthly payment by adjusting the terms of your current mortgage. The goal is to help you get back on track.
If you're facing financial hardship, your lender may agree to a mortgage modification that lowers your payments and lets you keep your home. To qualify, you'll need to demonstrate difficulty making mortgage payments, document your hardship and show that you'll keep up with new, lower payments.
Strictly speaking, a modification to a mortgage does not need to be recorded to be enforceable between the borrower and the lender, as they are bound by the modification as a matter of contract law.