Deeds and transfers
The chain of recorded deeds shows how ownership moved: sellers, buyers, transfer dates, prices where published, and the document numbers you can use to pull copies from the county recorder.
Property title search
Free property title search of public records
Research a property's title from public records. Search by address or APN to review the owner of record, deed and sale history, tax context, and official county recorder links — the records a title search starts with. Searching is free; record details open with a free account.
Search any U.S. property by address
Why AssessorSearch
One search across the records a title search starts with
County assessor and recorder offices hold the ownership and deed records behind every title search. AssessorSearch indexes those public records nationwide so you can research a parcel without visiting each county system.
SourcesDeed and ownership records from official county sources.
250M+Deed records
150M+Property records
3,000+Counties
Search by
AddressAPNParcel number
Title research snapshot
What a property title lookup can show
Match the parcel for free, then open the property record to review the ownership and deed fields below when the county publishes them. Use the official source links on the record to pull the documents themselves.
Property match1842 W Sample Ct, Exeter, CA 93221
FreeFree accountOwnership and deed fields open with a free account, no credit card
Owner of recordMichael Reynolds
Owner sinceAugust 18, 2025
Last transferWarranty Deed · $585,000
Document #2025-084219
Lender / titleNorthwest Community Bank
Official sourcesTulare County recorder and assessor
Records to check
The public records behind a property title search
A title search is really a set of record checks. These are the ones that matter, and where each record lives.
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Recorded loan documents show lenders with a claim on the property. A release should appear when a loan is paid off — a missing release is one of the most common title questions.
Liens and encumbrance clues
Recorded liens can appear in county land records. Tax liens, judgments, UCC filings, and HOA claims may live in separate systems, so treat any single database as a starting point.
Property tax status
Unpaid property taxes follow the property, not the seller. Review assessed value and annual tax context, then confirm payment status with the county tax office when a delinquency would matter.
Ownership and vesting
Confirm the current owner of record and how the property is held — individuals, co-owners, an LLC, a trust, or an estate — because vesting affects who can sign the next deed.
APN and legal description
The parcel number and legal description tie every recorded document to the same land. Verify them before assuming two records describe the same property.
How it works
How to do a title search on a property
Work from the parcel outward: confirm the property, read the record, then verify against the official county documents.
Start from the address or APN
Search the property and confirm the parcel: address, APN, and county. Title research falls apart when documents from the wrong parcel get mixed in.
Review the owner and deed history
Open the property record to see the current owner, prior transfers, sale prices where published, and deed types such as warranty, grant, or quitclaim deeds.
Check tax and assessment records
Review assessed value, annual taxes, and exemptions, and confirm payment status with the county tax office if a delinquency would change your decision.
Pull recorded documents from the county
Use the official recorder or land-records links on the property record to read the actual deeds, mortgages, releases, and any recorded liens. Some counties publish only an index online and charge for document copies.
Escalate when the stakes are legal
For a purchase, refinance, foreclosure, or dispute, order a professional title search or abstract. Public-record research is preparation, not a substitute.
Liens and encumbrances
What public records can and cannot show about liens
Public records may show recorded liens or encumbrance clues, and AssessorSearch links to the recorder, tax, and official sources where they live. Not every lien appears in one property database.
- Recorded liens and releases generally live in county recorder or land-records systems.
- Property tax liens are often tracked by the county treasurer or tax office instead.
- Court judgments, state tax liens, UCC filings, and HOA or municipal claims can sit in entirely separate systems.
- A clean-looking index is not proof that no claims exist.
Professional help
When to use a title company, attorney, or abstractor
Self-serve research answers most curiosity and early diligence questions. Bring in a professional when the answer has to hold up legally.
- Buying, selling, or refinancing: closings require a professional title examination and usually title insurance.
- Foreclosure, probate, boundary, or ownership disputes.
- Chain-of-title research across decades of records.
- Any situation that needs a certified, defensible report rather than research notes.
Title vs deed
Property title vs deed: what's the difference
The two terms get used interchangeably, but a title search only makes sense once they are separated.
The deed is the document
A deed is the recorded instrument that transfers ownership from one party to another. It is signed, notarized, and filed with the county recorder, which is why deed records are the backbone of a title search.
The title is the ownership right
Title is the legal ownership interest in the property — the rights a deed transfers. Nobody files a document called a title; a title search reads the recorded deeds, liens, and releases to conclude who holds it.
FAQ
Property title search questions
What is a property title search?
A property title search is a review of the public records that establish who owns a property and what claims may affect it: deeds, mortgages or deeds of trust, liens, judgments, easements, and tax records. A professional title abstract does this exhaustively for a transaction. AssessorSearch helps you start the same research yourself with assessor and recorder data plus links to official county sources.
How do I do a title search on a property?
Search the address or APN, review the owner, deed, sale, and tax fields on the property record, then follow the official county recorder and assessor links to read recorded documents. For a purchase, refinance, or legal matter, have a title company, attorney, or abstractor run a full examination.
Can I do a property title search for free?
Searching public property records is free on AssessorSearch, and record details open with a free account, no credit card. A certified title abstract or a title insurance commitment is a paid professional service, and a free database search does not replace it.
What is the difference between a property title and a deed?
The deed is the recorded document that transfers ownership; the title is the legal ownership interest itself. A title search reads the chain of recorded deeds and related documents to understand who holds title and what claims may affect it.
Does a title search show liens?
Public records may show recorded liens or encumbrance clues, but not every lien appears in one property database. Recorded liens generally live with the county recorder, while property tax liens, court judgments, state tax liens, UCC filings, and HOA or municipal claims can sit in separate systems. Check the official county links, and use a professional search when the answer matters legally.
Is this the same as title insurance?
No. AssessorSearch is public-record research. Title insurance is a regulated product issued through title companies after a professional examination. Nothing on this page is a title commitment, legal opinion, or guarantee.
Where are property title records kept?
Mostly at the county. The recorder, register of deeds, county clerk, or land-records office holds deeds and recorded documents, while the assessor or appraisal district holds ownership, parcel, and value records. Office names vary by state. AssessorSearch aggregates these public records and links to the official offices.
Next step
Start a property title search now
Search the address at the top of this page to review owner, deed, tax, and county source records for free. For a closing, refinance, or legal reliance, follow up with a title company, attorney, or abstractor.