How to Obtain All Records of Ownership of a Property
The title to real property is the legal evidence of ownership and a property deed conveys title from one owner to the next. Owning "title" to real estate means that all public records pertaining to the real property have been checked to verify ownership. Public records include deeds, mortgages, and tax liens, and can be obtained on-line or from visiting the county office of public records. Title companies are another source for obtaining the records of ownership because they do searches of the public records and keep the information on file.
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Instructions
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Perform an On-Line Search of Public Records
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Gather any information or documentation you have in your possession for the property you are interested in researching. This could include name and address of the current property owner, the street address or legal description on the deed, and the city or county in which the property is located.
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Look up the official website of the city or county where the property is located. Select the name of the office that holds the real estate records such as the Recorder of Deeds, Office of Land Records, Property Appraiser or a similar name.
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Select "Deed Search" and begin your search using owner name, address or legal description of the property. The deed will show the name of the present owner as the "buyer" or "grantee" and the name of the previous owner as the "seller" or "grantor."
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Find records of all the previous owners of a property by repeating your search with the buyer and seller names that appear on each deed until you arrive at the very first buyer and seller transaction. Records of mortgages and liens will also be displayed.
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Print out the records you require.
Visit City or County Office of Deeds
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Gather any information you have that identifies the property. This could include documents such as a deed, mortgage or property tax record as well as the owner name and address.
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Contact the Department of Public Records for the City or County where the property is located and ask which office houses property deeds.
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Visit the office of deeds and follow its instructions for performing a property record search. Be sure to indicate if you want only current records or a full history of the property ownership. Older deed files often are housed in a different location.
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Perform your search, keeping note of documents you will want to have copied. Be sure to indicate to the office personnel whether or not you require certified copies of any documents.
Contact a Local Title Company
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Locate any information you have on the property of interest, such as the deed, mortgage or property tax records.
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Call a local title company in the city or county where the property is located and provide the representative with the information you have available.
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Request a "property profile" for the specific property in which you have an interest. The profile report contains the real estate history and ownership information obtained by the title company through the title search of public records. This option will save you a lot of time but may require service fees. Always be sure to ask first.
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Tips & Warnings
You may purchase certified copies of records online or in person. You can print uncertified copies of documents on your computer or obtain them through the public records office where the property is located.
The Free Public Records Search Directory is a useful internet tool that can direct you to official county and state websites.
Beware of websites that charge fees for public records searches.
References
Resources
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