The Title Searcher searches public and private records and indices to compile list of legal instruments pertaining to property titles such as mortgages, deeds, and assessments, for insurance, real estate, or tax purposes. Procures documents required to remove restriction affecting title of landowners to property, and requisition purchase orders and bank checks to satisfy requirement of contracts and agreements covering lease or purchase of land and gas, oil and mineral rights.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews copies of records such as mortgages, liens, judgment, easements, vital statistic, and plat and map books to determine ownership an legal restriction and to verify legal description of property
• Reads search request to ascertain type of title evidence required and to obtain legal description of property and names of involved parties
• Compares legal description of property with legal description contained in records and indices to verify such factors as deed of ownership, tax code an parcel number and description of property's boundaries
• Examines title to determine if there are any restriction which would limit the use of the property, prepares report listing restriction, and indicates action needed to remove restrictions to clear title
• Requisitions maps or drawings delineating property from company title plant, county surveyor, or assessor's office
• Compiles list of transaction pertaining to property, using legal description or name of owner to search lot books, geographic and general indices or assessor's rolls
• Compiles information an document required for title binder
• Investigates whether delinquent taxes are due on land involved in agreements
• Reviews abstract to assure complete title coverage of land described, completeness of land description and to detect lapses of time in abstract coverage of landowners title
• Prepares correspondence and other records to transmit leases and abstracts
• Reviews title opinion to determine documents needed to meet legal objection and to assure accuracy in term of trade
• Confers with attorneys, landowners, and lease buyers to explain reasons for and to obtain documents needed to clear title
• Prepares or requests deeds, affidavits and other documents and transmits them to appropriate persons for execution to meet title requirements
• Confers or corresponds with landowner to assure payment of any delinquent taxes due on land involved in agreement
• Prepares title commitment and final policy of title insurance based on information compiled from title search
• Answers queries regarding title or abstracts by mail, telephone or personal discussion
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisor Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Associates degree
• 3-5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Computer Skills and Office Equipment

Microsoft Office suite

Certificates, Licenses, and Registration

None required