How to Locate Owners of Real Property

Names of the owners of real property can often be searched online. Although not all real property records can be searched online using county recorder or tax assessor records, most are available for inspection in person or by telephone. Los Angeles County is one of many government agencies that don’t allow real property records to be searched online. Generally, you can search county recorder or tax assessor’s records by parcel number, owner’s name, legal description or street address.

Instructions

How to Locate Owners of Real Property

1. Identify the location of the real property that you wish to learn more about. You will need an address, parcel number, legal description or name of the owner(s) of the real property. Note that not all county recorder records can be searched online or by address or legal description. In some cases, real property ownership information may only be available by telephone. In such a case, telephone the county recorder or tax assessor’s office. Before calling, be sure you have basic information that will be required (e.g., parcel number or physical address).

2. Use a search engine to locate the website address of the tax assessor or county recorder where the real property that you are searching for is located. Search county recorder or tax assessor records online, if possible, by entering the parcel number, physical address, document type and/or name(s) of the owner(s) of the real property. Some county recorders charge a fee to access records and some also charge a fee for viewing and printing out records.

3. Search by yourself either online or in person. Alternatively, you can also use the services of an information broker. These information brokers often have access to vast databases that reveal real property ownership. Fees charged by information brokers are usually very inexpensive compared to the cost of employing a private investigator.

4. Hire a private investigator to go to the county recorder’s or tax assessor’s office or to use their access to databases to search for real property ownership. Private investigators usually charge either a flat rate or by the hour.

5. Receive a list of properties owned by the specified person. Usually, you can see actual copies of recorded documents or tax record information that will reveal ownership histories. Usually, you can print copies of the specific documents that you are investigating.

Tips & Warnings

• Law enforcement officers, some public officials, judges and some other professionals often have the right to redact their real property records for security reasons.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish