Looking up deed and property records is a common practice for individuals who are interested in buying or selling a property, or for those who are simply curious about the ownership history and other information related to a specific property. Keep reading to learn how to get the deed to a house so that you can verify ownership and make sure there are no outstanding errors or legal issues.
What is a property deed?
A property deed is a paper that legally transfers the ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. The format of the deed can vary between states, and there is no fixed way to create it. Generally, the deed should mention the names of the buyer and seller, describe the property being transferred, and have the signature of the person who is transferring the property.
Property deed vs. title
The property deed is the physical document that proves ownership. The title is the legal concept of ownership that the deed gives to you. The deed is like the paper that hands over the title or the right to own the property to the new owner.
How to perform a deed search online
Deeds are a part of public records. Many of these records are now available online in searchable databases, which has made finding a deed much easier. So save yourself some time and trouble by taking advantage of available online resources first.
1. Look up deed and property records by address (hassle-free)
In most cases, you’ll be able to access property records and deed information through online public record search services. These services may provide additional information that can be helpful when researching a property.
BeenVerified is a well-known and reputable public records search engine with a vast database. A property search with BeenVerified could reveal everything that most people will need or want to know about a deed, such as the current owner, sale dates, price history, ownership changes over time, property details, mortgages, current valuation & more.
- Go to the BeenVerified property records lookup page.
- Enter an address you’re looking to research and click SEARCH.
- Wait a few minutes as the results load. It may contain the property’s deeds & liens, ownership timeline, sales data, estimated value, mortgage, property tax, nearby homes for sale, neighborhood safety data and much more.
2. Visit the county recorder’s website
Property records, deeds included, are kept at the county or city level. Deeds are generally recorded by county recorders or register’s offices in the county where the property is located.
Just go to your search engine and type the name of the county of the property in which the property is located, along with the keyword “deed” or “deed search.” This should promptly provide search results that will take you to the website of your local County Recorder or equivalent.
Most recorder’s offices have an online search portal where you can look up property information. Look for a link on the recorder’s office website that says “Property Search” or something similar.
Once you have found the property search page, you will typically need to enter some basic information about the property, such as the street address, owner’s name, or parcel number. Follow the instructions on the website to enter the necessary information and click “Search.”
If the property is in the database, you should be able to see a list of documents related to the property, including the deed. Look for a document with the title “Deed” or “Grant Deed,” which will usually have a link or button to view the document. Click on this link or button to access the deed.
However, it’s important to note that not all counties or states have their property records available online. For example, the San Diego County Clerk’s Office provides online searches, but the Los Angeles County Recorder doesn’t.
If you feel that this method requires a significant amount of patience and effort and prefer gathering all the information you need in one place with a quick and easy search, then the all-in-one public records search engine might be more suitable for you.
How to get the deed to a house if a web search fails…
Sometimes, you may not be able to find the property deed by just searching on the internet. This may happen if your county doesn’t have digital records available or if the deed is very old and has been archived.
If you are unable to locate your deed online, the next step is to contact the County Recorder’s Office. You may visit them in person or contact them by phone. When you visit, you can speak to a customer service representative and ask for help to find and get a copy of your deed.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are buying a new property or inheriting one, it is essential to ensure that the transfer of ownership is legally valid and properly documented. Obtaining the deed to a house can be a straightforward process as long as you follow the necessary steps and procedure. If you have the time and patience, you can obtain a copy of the deed from the county recorder’s office where the property is located. If you’d like to skip the hassle of scouring the Internet, then just turn to a dedicated property search service like BeenVerified.