What is a Property Title Search?

A property title search is a comprehensive examination of public records to verify the legal ownership of real estate and identify any claims, liens, or encumbrances that may affect the property's title. This essential due diligence process reviews deed records, mortgage documents, tax liens, court judgments, easements, and other recorded instruments to establish a clear chain of ownership and ensure the property can be legally transferred without complications.

At U.S. Title Records, we provide professional online title search services for residential and commercial properties across all 50 states, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our experienced title researchers access county title plants and recorder databases to deliver accurate, comprehensive reports that protect buyers, sellers, lenders, attorneys, and real estate investors from costly title defects and hidden encumbrances.

What is a Property Title Search? A property title search is a detailed examination of public records that verifies legal ownership of real estate and identifies any liens, mortgages, easements, judgments, or encumbrances affecting the property. Title searches examine deed records, court documents, tax records, and other recorded instruments at the county recorder's office to establish a clear chain of ownership and ensure the property can be legally transferred. Professional property title searches cost $29-$295 and are delivered same-day to 7 business days depending on the report type.

Quick Answer: A property title search verifies who legally owns a property and reveals any claims against it. The search examines county recorder records to confirm the seller can transfer clear title. U.S. Title Records provides property title searches for all 50 states starting at $29 with same-day delivery. No subscription required.

Property Title Search: Key Facts

What It Is:

An examination of public records to verify property ownership and identify liens, mortgages, judgments, and encumbrances.

Cost Range:

$29 to $295 depending on report type. No subscription or membership required.

Delivery Time:

Same-day for standard reports (before 8 PM PST). Chain of title: 4-7 business days.

Coverage:

All 50 U.S. states plus Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands. Over 3,245 counties.

What It Reveals:

Current owner, liens, mortgages, tax liens, judgments, easements, foreclosure status, and chain of ownership.

Who Needs It:

Homebuyers, investors, attorneys, lenders, title companies, and anyone purchasing real estate.

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Property Title Search Reports & Pricing

U.S. Title Records offers multiple property title search options to meet the specific needs of homebuyers, real estate investors, attorneys, lenders, and title companies. All reports are delivered as downloadable PDF documents via email with no login or subscription required.

Full Property Detail Record

$29 per property
  • Current ownership and vesting information
  • Property characteristics and lot details
  • Sales history and transaction records
  • Tax assessment information
  • Mortgage and deed of trust data
  • Free foreclosure activity report
  • Same-day delivery before 8 PM PST
Order Property Details

Property Lien Search Report

$95 per property
  • Involuntary and voluntary liens
  • Judgments, HOA, mechanic, bankruptcies
  • Open mortgages and releases
  • State and federal tax liens
  • Transfer and sale history
  • Neighborhood and demographics
  • Same-day delivery before 8 PM PST
Order Lien Report

Full Property/Owner Lien Search Report

$195 per property
  • Property AND owner lien search
  • Individual/entity owner profile
  • UCC filings and lien records
  • Federal and state tax liens
  • Sale and transfer history with comparables
  • Ideal for auction buyers
  • Same-day delivery before 8 PM PST
Order Owner/Property Report

Full Chain of Title Report

$275 starting price
  • 30-year chain of title abstract
  • Vesting deed copies included
  • Complete transfer history
  • All mortgages and releases
  • UCC filings and assignments
  • Court records and judgments
  • 4-7 business day delivery
Order Chain of Title

Title Search By Name

$75 per search
  • Locate property assets by owner name
  • Individual or entity searches
  • State or nationwide coverage
  • Property detail report included
  • Mortgage and mailing addresses
  • Tax and assessor details
  • 1 business day delivery
Order Name Search

Preliminary Title Report (Expanded)

$295 per property
  • Property lien report included
  • Owner profile report
  • Involuntary/voluntary liens
  • Parcel/plat map
  • Easements (egress/ingress)
  • Federal and state tax liens
  • Transfer/sale history report
Order Preliminary Report

Why You Need a Property Title Search

Conducting a thorough real estate title search before purchasing property protects you from unforeseen financial and legal complications. Without proper title research, buyers risk inheriting debts, losing property rights, or facing expensive litigation.

A comprehensive property title search reveals essential information that directly impacts your investment. This includes verifying that the seller has legal authority to transfer ownership, uncovering outstanding mortgages that must be satisfied at closing, identifying tax liens that could result in property seizure, discovering easements that may restrict how you can use the property, and revealing pending legal actions such as lis pendens or foreclosure proceedings.

According to the American Land Title Association (ALTA), approximately 25% of all real estate transactions have title issues that must be resolved before closing. Professional title searches identify these problems early, allowing for resolution before they derail your transaction or result in financial loss.

Title Search Protects Against:

  • Undisclosed Liens - Tax liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and judgment liens that transfer with the property
  • Ownership Disputes - Missing heirs, forged documents, or improper conveyances in the chain of title
  • Encroachments - Buildings, fences, or structures that cross property boundaries
  • Easements - Rights of way that allow others to access or use your property
  • Pending Legal Actions - Lawsuits, lis pendens, or foreclosure proceedings
  • Fraud - Forged signatures, impersonation, or fraudulent conveyances

How to Order a Property Title Search Online

U.S. Title Records makes it simple to order professional property title searches online with no account registration, subscription, or contracts required. Our secure ordering process takes just minutes, and reports are delivered directly to your email.

1

Select Your Report Type

Choose from property detail reports, lien reports, chain of title searches, or comprehensive packages based on your specific research needs. Our investor quick guide helps you select the right report.

2

Enter Property Information

Provide the property address including street, city, county, and state. If the address is unavailable, you may enter the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) with county and state information. For title search by name, provide the individual or entity name.

3

Complete Secure Checkout

Submit your order through our encrypted, anonymous checkout process. All transactions are secure and confidential. No login or account creation required. Payment is processed immediately, and your order begins right away.

4

Receive Your PDF Report

Property detail reports, lien reports, and owner/property reports ordered before 8 PM PST are delivered same-day via email as downloadable PDF documents. Chain of title reports typically take 4-7 business days. Check the service delivery page for current processing times.

Who Uses Property Title Search Services?

Real Estate Professionals

Homebuyers use property title searches to verify ownership and uncover hidden liens before making purchase offers. Real estate investors and auction buyers rely on title research to assess risk and calculate accurate offer prices. Real estate agents and brokers use title reports to provide informed guidance to their clients.

Legal and Financial Professionals

Attorneys conducting real estate transactions, probate cases, and litigation require comprehensive title research for due diligence. Lenders and mortgage companies verify title status before funding loans. Title companies use our reports as preliminary research before issuing title insurance policies.

Specialized Use Cases

Asset recovery professionals use title search by name to locate property owned by judgment debtors. Estate planners and probate attorneys research property holdings for deceased individuals. Foreclosure investors evaluate properties before sheriff sales and trustee auctions.

Business Applications

Commercial real estate transactions require thorough title examination of office buildings, retail properties, and industrial facilities. Land developers research raw land parcels before acquisition. Property managers verify ownership and encumbrances for portfolio properties.

Types of Property Title Searches

Different real estate transactions require different levels of title research. Understanding the available title search options helps you select the appropriate report for your specific needs.

Current Owner Search

A current owner search examines records from when the present owner acquired the property to the present date. This search identifies active mortgages, liens, judgments, and encumbrances recorded against the current owner. Current owner searches are commonly used for refinancing, home equity loans, and quick assessments of property status. The Full Property Lien Report provides this level of research.

Two-Owner Search

A two-owner search extends the examination to include both the current and previous owner. This provides additional historical context and may reveal issues that originated with the prior owner but still affect the property. Two-owner searches offer a balance between comprehensive research and cost efficiency.

Full Chain of Title Search

A full chain of title search examines 30 or more years of ownership history, documenting every transfer, mortgage, lien, and recorded instrument affecting the property. This comprehensive research is essential for purchase transactions, title insurance underwriting, and complex legal matters. Chain of title searches include copies of all vesting deeds and recorded documents.

Title Search by Name

Unlike property-specific searches, a title search by name locates all properties owned by a specific individual or entity within a geographic area. This search type is used for asset discovery, judgment recovery, estate research, and comprehensive portfolio analysis. Name searches can cover single counties, entire states, or nationwide.