Certificate of Title

A document provided by a qualified source (such as a title company) that shows the property legally belongs to the current owner; before the title is transferred at closing, it should be clear and free of all liens or other claims.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

A document rendering an opinion on the status of a property's title based on public records.

Source: Ginnie Mae

Document issued by Registrar of Titles for real estate registered under the Torrens System, which is considered conclusive evidence of the present ownership and state of the title to the property described therein.

Source: U.S. Courts

Last reviewed October 2022