Title Search Cost

Title Search Cost: Complete Pricing Table

Importantly, every title search fee below is flat-rate and all-inclusive. No per-page charges, no rush fees, no county surcharges. The title search price is the same whether the property is in Texas, New York, or California.

What Each Property Search Report Includes

Property Detail Report ($29)

First, this is the lowest-cost title search option. It returns the current legal owner, the property's assessed value, the taxpayer mailing address, mortgage information (if recorded), and a 10 to 30 year transfer history depending on the county. Best for initial research, verifying who owns a property, or confirming basic tax status. For a detailed walkthrough of what this report contains, see How can I order property information online?

Deed Copy ($45)

For deed copies, we retrieve the most recent recorded deed for any property and deliver it by email in PDF format. The deed shows the current owner's name, the vesting type (how ownership is held), the legal description, and the recording information. If the deed uses abbreviations you do not recognize, our deed abbreviation guide explains common codes. For a broader deed search including full chain research, see our Chain of Title option.

Property Lien Report ($95)

Specifically, this report identifies every recorded lien on the property: mortgages, deeds of trust, judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic liens, and HOA assessment liens. It also flags lis pendens (pending lawsuits) and missing lien releases. For more on what a lien search covers and when you need one, see our property lien search page. To understand how liens work, read How do I find out if a property has a lien on it?

Full Property/Owner Lien Report ($195)

Everything in the $95 Lien Report, plus an owner name search across all recorded instruments. Importantly, this catches judgment liens and federal tax liens that attach to the owner personally rather than to the property address. As a result, foreclosure investors and estate administrators order this report because personal liens can affect the property even if they are not specifically recorded against it. See Full Property/Owner Lien Report: Ideal for auction buyers and investors for details.

Chain of Title Report ($275)

Furthermore, this report traces the complete ownership history of the property, documenting every recorded transfer from the current owner back through prior owners. The report includes copies of all vesting deeds, and the chain typically covers 10 to 30 years depending on county records. In addition, this report is used for estate settlement, boundary disputes, ownership verification, and quiet title actions.

Preliminary Title Report ($295)

Finally, this is the most thorough title search product and represents the highest title search cost we charge. It includes the full chain of title, all recorded liens and encumbrances, easements, a property valuation by comparable sales, an owner profile report, and tax status. For a step-by-step explanation of what goes into a title search at this level, see our guide: How to perform a property title search.

Title Search Cost by Situation

Ultimately, the right report depends on your transaction. Here is what to order and what it costs for each common situation.

Buying a Home

For a standard home purchase, the title search cost starts at $95 for a Property Lien Report. However, most buyers benefit from the Full Property/Owner Lien Report ($195), which also searches the seller's name for personal judgments. If your lender requires a full title examination, the Preliminary Title Report ($295) covers everything.

Buying a home? Most buyers start with the $95 Lien Report. It pays for itself by catching one hidden lien.

Refinancing a Mortgage

Specifically, lenders require a title search before approving a refinance. The title search cost for refinancing is typically $95 for a lien report confirming no new encumbrances since the original loan. Some lenders require the full $295 preliminary report. Therefore, ask your loan officer which report they need before ordering.

Refinancing? Order the $95 Lien Report and share it with your lender to speed up the process.

Buying at a Foreclosure Auction

Auction purchases carry the highest risk because they are sold without title warranty. The minimum title search cost for a foreclosure should be $195 for the Full Property/Owner Lien Report, which identifies liens that survive the sale. For complex properties, order the $295 Preliminary Title Report. Consequently, skipping the title search to save $195 can cost you tens of thousands in surviving liens. Read our investor resources page for full auction due diligence guidance.

Bidding at auction? Do not bid without the $195 Full Lien Report. It shows which liens survive the sale.

Selling Your Home (FSBO)

If you are selling for sale by owner, order a lien report on your own property before listing. The $95 title search cost catches liens you may not know about (unreleased mortgages, judgment liens, tax issues) before they surprise a buyer at closing.

Selling FSBO? A $95 lien check before listing prevents deal-killing surprises at closing.

Settling an Estate or Probate

For estate matters, executors need to verify what the deceased owned and what debts are attached. The title search cost for estate purposes is $275 for a Chain of Title or $295 for a Preliminary Title Report. In either case, both provide the ownership history and lien data needed for probate proceedings.

Settling an estate? Start with a $75 name search to find all properties the deceased owned. See also: title search for probate.

Divorce Property Division

When property is divided in a divorce, both parties need verified ownership and lien data. The $95 lien report confirms the current encumbrances. Our $45 deed copy provides the recorded deed needed for quit claim or transfer documentation.

Dividing property in divorce? Search by name ($75) first to find all properties each spouse owns. Anonymous and confidential. See also: title search for divorce.

Checking Your Own Property

Similarly, wondering what liens exist on a property you already own? The $29 Property Detail gives a quick ownership and tax snapshot. Our $95 lien report gives the full picture. Regardless of which you choose, knowing your lien status before you sell or refinance prevents costly delays.

Just want to check? The $29 Property Detail is the fastest and cheapest way to see what is on record.

Our Property Searches Cost vs. Title Companies and Attorneys

Traditional title companies and real estate attorneys charge much more for title search services. Here is how our title search pricing compares.

Title companies often bundle search fees with title insurance premiums, making the actual title search cost hard to isolate. In contrast, our pricing is standalone. Specifically, you pay for the search, get the report, and decide separately whether you need title insurance.

Free Title Search vs. Professional Title Search

You can search some property records for free through county websites, but free searches have real limits.

Generally, county recorder websites provide index data for one recording office. They do not include municipal tax lien status, court judgments, or federal tax liens from other offices. Furthermore, they do not produce a report you can share with a lender, attorney, or buyer. A professional title search from U.S. Title Records searches multiple record sources and delivers a verified PDF report. For most transactions, the $95 lien report is the minimum investment worth making. To understand the full due diligence process, see our guide: How to perform a property title search.

Who Pays for the Title Search?

Title search cost responsibility depends on local custom, the purchase contract, and the type of transaction.

In many states, the buyer pays for the title search and title insurance as part of closing costs. Elsewhere (particularly in the South and parts of the Midwest), the seller traditionally covers title costs. However, in some markets, especially in New York and New Jersey, the cost is negotiated or split. Regardless of who pays, both parties benefit from a clear title before closing.

For FSBO transactions, there is no title company involved by default, so the buyer and seller must decide who orders and pays for the title search. After all, at $95 to $295, the title search cost is a fraction of the transaction value and protects both sides.

What You Receive with Each Report

Every report is delivered by email as a PDF. Here is exactly what each report type contains.

Start with Property Detail ($29) or view all reports and pricing