Title Search for Attorneys

Title Search Reports by Practice Area

Attorneys order title searches for different reasons depending on the case. Here is how each practice area uses our reports and which report type fits each situation.

Real Estate Closings and Transactional Work

In transactional practice, closing attorneys use property searches as the foundation for title examination, title certification, and closing preparation. The Preliminary Title Report ($295) covers current ownership, chain of title, all recorded liens and encumbrances, easements, and tax status. For refinance closings, a Property Lien Report ($95) confirms that no new liens have been recorded since the original loan. Attorneys in the nine states requiring legal involvement in real estate transactions (CT, DE, GA, MA, NH, NJ, NY, SC, WV) rely on these reports daily. Our 24-to-48-hour turnaround is substantially faster than the 10-to-14-day timeline from traditional title companies.

Closing attorney? Preliminary Title Report ($295) covers everything your closing needs.

Probate and Estate Settlement

During estate settlement, attorneys need to verify what real property the deceased owned, confirm how they acquired it, identify any co-owners or partial interests, and reveal liens the estate must satisfy before distribution. The Chain of Title Report ($275) traces ownership history with copies of all vesting deeds, making it the primary report for probate work. For multi-property estates, Title Search by Name ($75 statewide / $535 nationwide) identifies every property where the deceased appears as an owner of record. When probate transfers were never recorded, the chain of title reveals the gap so corrective documents can be filed.

Estate attorney? See our probate workflow. Start with Title Search by Name ($75).

Quiet Title Actions and Litigation

When filing quiet title actions, attorneys need documented evidence of the ownership chain and the specific defect they are asking the court to cure. Our Chain of Title Report ($275) provides exactly that: a chronological sequence of every recorded transfer with copies of vesting deeds, flags for breaks in the chain, and documentation of recording references suitable for court filings. For cases involving both ownership disputes and lien priority, the Preliminary Title Report ($295) adds lien and encumbrance data for only $20 more. To learn how chain of title research supports quiet title proceedings, see our dedicated chain of title search page.

Quiet title? See our quiet title workflow. Chain of Title ($275) is your primary exhibit.

Divorce and Family Law

In divorce proceedings, family law attorneys need to identify all real property owned by either spouse, verify whether property is marital or separate, and determine what liens affect division. Title Search by Name ($75 statewide / $535 nationwide) is the starting point. It returns every property where a spouse appears as an owner of record. Follow up with a Property Lien Report ($95) on each property to identify encumbrances. The chain of title can reveal pre-filing transfers designed to hide marital assets. For full asset investigation beyond real property (vehicles, bank accounts, business interests), our sister company U.S. Asset Records provides additional services.

Family law? See our divorce workflow. Anonymous name searches at $75 per spouse.

Judgment Collection and Creditor Work

Before filing a judgment lien or pursuing execution, creditor attorneys need to know what real property the debtor owns, what existing liens are recorded, and whether equity exists for levy. Title Search by Name ($75 statewide / $535 nationwide) identifies all real property a debtor owns. The Full Property/Owner Lien Report ($195) then reveals liens against both the property and the owner, helping you determine lien priority and available equity. For pre-litigation due diligence, these two reports answer the core question: is this defendant worth suing?

Which Report Does Your Case Need?

Use this decision matrix to match your legal situation to the right report type. When in doubt, the Preliminary Title Report ($295) covers everything.

Available Reports for Attorneys ($29 to $295)

Property Detail Report ($29)

This report returns current ownership, assessed value, tax status, and transfer history. Attorneys use this for quick ownership verification, preliminary case research, and confirming basic property information before ordering deeper reports. Order here.

Deed Copy ($45)

This report retrieves the most recent recorded deed with full recording information including book, page, and instrument number. Attorneys use deed copies for court filings, closing packages, and verifying legal descriptions. Order here. For an explanation of deed abbreviations and vesting codes, see our abbreviation guide.

Title Search by Name ($75 Statewide / $535 Nationwide)

Searches all recorded property in a single state or all 50 states by individual or entity name. Returns every property where the subject appears as a current owner. This is the most frequently ordered report among attorneys handling divorce, estate, and collection matters. Order here.

Property Lien Report ($95)

This report identifies all recorded liens against a specific property: mortgages, judgment liens, tax liens, mechanic liens, and HOA assessments. Attorneys use this for pre-closing verification, refinance support, and determining what encumbrances affect a property before transaction. Order here. For more detail on what lien searches cover, see our property lien search page.

Background/Personal Lien Profile Report ($95)

Searches for liens, judgments, and bankruptcies recorded against an individual by name rather than by property address. Attorneys use this to evaluate a party's overall financial exposure. This report searches court records and lien indexes by name, catching obligations that the property-specific lien report would not.

Abstractor Service ($95)

Custom research for documents not available through standard database searches. Our abstractors retrieve specific recorded documents from county offices, perform historical research, and handle specialized requests. Attorneys use this for document retrieval in counties with limited digital records. Order here.

Full Property/Owner Lien Report ($195)

Everything in the $95 Property Lien Report plus an owner name search that catches personal judgment liens and federal tax liens not indexed by property address. Recommended for litigation support, foreclosure due diligence, and cases where you need to see the full lien picture for both the property and the owner. Order here. See our detailed explanation of how this report works.

Chain of Title Report ($275)

Traces every recorded ownership transfer with copies of all vesting deeds, typically covering 10 to 30 years. Includes mortgage and lien history during the chain period. Attorneys use this for quiet title actions, probate, boundary disputes, and any case requiring documented ownership history as evidence. Order here. For a full explanation, see our chain of title search page.

Preliminary Title Report ($295)

The most thorough report available. Includes chain of title, all recorded liens and encumbrances, easements, property valuation by comparable sales, and an owner profile. Attorneys use this for complex purchases, commercial transactions, and full pre-closing due diligence. Order here.

Why Law Firms Choose U.S. Title Records

One Source for Any Jurisdiction

Rather than finding a local title company in every county where you have a case, order from one provider covering all 50 states and 3,250+ counties. Whether you need a Texas property search, a Florida title search, or a California lien search, we handle it from one order page.

Speed Advantage

While traditional title companies take 10 to 14 days, we deliver most reports within 24 to 48 hours. When you need title research for a filing deadline, a closing date, or a client meeting, turnaround matters.

Flat-Rate Pricing with No Overhead

Unlike subscription services, there are no monthly minimums and no account setup. Order when you need a report and pay per search. Pricing is the same for all 50 states. For firms with regular volume, contact office@ustitlerecords.com for preferred pricing.

Court-Ready PDF Reports

Specifically, reports include recording references, instrument numbers, book and page citations, and copies of recorded documents. PDF format is print-ready for court filings, closing packages, and client correspondence. No reformatting required.

Experienced Abstractors

Because our abstractors understand county recorder indexing, grantor-grantee systems, and state-specific recording requirements. They know where to find documents that automated database searches miss, particularly in counties with limited digital records or complex indexing systems.

No Salesperson, No Upsell

Simply put, we provide reports and you interpret them for your clients. We do not offer legal opinions, title certification, or title insurance. Our role is to deliver accurate, well-organized title research so you can do your job efficiently. For questions about which report fits your case, contact office@ustitlerecords.com.

Attorney-Required Closing States

The following states generally require attorney involvement in real estate transactions. Attorneys in these states use title search reports as part of their standard closing workflow.

Currently, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and West Virginia all have requirements for attorney participation in closings. Several additional states (including Ohio, Kentucky, and Maryland) have partial or customary attorney involvement. We deliver reports to attorneys in every state regardless of closing requirements.

What Your Firm Receives

Every report is delivered by email as a court-ready PDF. Here is what you can expect inside each report type.

What Clients Say

Reviews sourced from ustitlerecords.com. See more client feedback.

After You Receive Your Reports

Here is how law firms typically integrate our property searches into their workflow.

For Closings

Review the Preliminary Title Report for any liens, encumbrances, or title defects that must be resolved before closing. Share the findings with the opposing counsel and closing agent. Use the recording references to verify specific items with the county recorder if needed. Include relevant sections in the closing file.

For Litigation (Quiet Title, Boundary Disputes)

Attach the Chain of Title Report as an exhibit to your complaint. The chronological ownership timeline and deed copies provide the documented evidence the court needs. Order individual Deed Copies ($45) for any specific deeds you want as standalone exhibits. The recording references in the report are suitable for citation in legal filings.

For Probate and Estate Work

Use the Title Search by Name results as the real property section of the estate inventory. Order Chain of Title reports on each property to verify ownership status and identify missing probate transfers. Use the Lien Report data to determine what debts the estate must satisfy. Include the reports in your probate court filings as supporting documentation.

For Ongoing Firm Use

If your firm orders property searches regularly, contact office@ustitlerecords.com for volume pricing. Many firms designate a paralegal to order reports directly from ustitlerecords.com. No account setup is needed. Each order can specify a different delivery email address for different attorneys or case files.

How to Order

For volume pricing, custom research, or questions about which report fits your case, email office@ustitlerecords.com or call 1-800-750-0932. We are available 7 days a week including holidays.