What Are the Duties of a Title Clerk?
Title clerks are used when there is a transaction involving the transfer of property. They commonly work in escrow, or title, offices and research the ownership history and other details of a piece of real estate. However, title clerks also are necessary in the automotive field and may occupy positions in car dealerships.
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Property Chain of Title
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In real estate, title clerks use various documents to track the history of ownership on property. They may need to visit the county assessor's office in the jurisdiction where the property is located to review the public record of the chain of owners and ensure that there is an unbroken record of who owned the property and when. This is important, because in order for a title insurance policy to be issued on the property, there cannot be questions of ownership that may appear later and risk the current owner's rights to the land.
Property Liens and Name Search
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Title clerks are required to research property deeds to determine if judgments have been placed upon them. Liens for unpaid taxes or medical bills must be satisfied before transfer of a property can take place. If there was a lawsuit or a contractor's lien on the real estate for unpaid bills, for example, this could affect the sale of a home. Verifying the names that have been on the title assures that those who owned it were not subject to judgments. Title clerks must compile this information, starting when the property was first sold and occupied.
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Automotive Title
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Automotive title clerks work in small and large car dealerships researching the title to the cars that are being bought and sold. For example, cars with salvaged titles, where the vehicle has been "totaled" after an accident by an insurance company due to extensive damage, are not accepted by most dealerships. Those who occupy these positions must be well-versed in the laws that govern vehicle ownership in their state.
Job Qualifications
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Candidates for real estate and automotive title clerks should be detail oriented and able to meet deadlines, since sales and purchases hinge on the review of information. A high school diploma is required by most employers, but some desire applicants with associate degrees in business or a related field. Title clerk training courses also are available. Advancement may be realized after experience gained in the field.
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