How do you find out who owns a property?

Imagine you’ve found your dream home, but it’s not for sale. Or you’ve noticed a precarious tree limb hanging above a seemingly empty home. In either case, you might want to get in touch with the property owner.

Luckily, it’s possible to track down ownership records to help you determine who owns a property. This guide explores how to find out how, which might help you on your journey to buying a house or managing relationships with neighboring property owners.

Property ownership information to look for

In your quest to determine who owns a property, finding the right documents can make all the difference. In particular, deeds, titles, and public tax records will usually be the most helpful.

The table below highlights what each of these critical documents can tell you.

Where are property ownership records kept?

Property ownership records, like deeds, are often “recorded” by the local government. “Recording” is simply the act of putting a property ownership document into the official public records database. Many counties have a Property Records office, or something similar, to keep track of any property ownership changes in the area.

Once recorded, the information remains available to the public and parties interested in the property. With this level of transparency, counties hope to prevent fraud by clearly tracking who legally owns a property.

But even if you find the recorded owner through property ownership records, that doesn’t necessarily reveal all parties with an interest in the property. For example, if the owner has put the property into a trust, the beneficiary of that trust may not have their name on any ownership records.

Likewise, liens on the property won’t necessarily change the ownership. But liens can have an impact on future property owners, which is why most pay for a title search through a title company to seek out any other parties that might have a claim of any kind on the property.

5 ways to find out who owns a property

Seeking out a property’s owner can take some time and effort. But with a little bit of patience, you’ll likely find the answer. Consider using one or more of the strategies below to help.

Method 1: Use local government websites

Many local government websites can help you find a property’s owner. Although many local governments have a slightly different method of doing things, you’ll often need to follow the steps below to find property records online.

1. Find the right county. Start by determining what county the property is in. You might be able to do this through a tool like Google Maps.
2. Locate the tax assessor’s website. Most counties have an easy-to-navigate tax assessor’s website. But sometimes property ownership information is kept at the county’s property appraiser website.
3. Use the property search tool. From the tax assessor’s website, find the property search tool. Generally, you’ll need to enter the address to find the property owner.
4. Record the owner’s name and the parcel’s ID number. Typically, the property search tool will show you information about the property, including the owner’s name and parcel ID number. Recording both might be useful to you.

Method 2: Visit the county’s recorder of deeds

If you can’t find the information you need online, consider making an in-person visit to the county’s recorder of deeds. Generally, these offices offer physical records of deeds, mortgages, and other property ownership details.

When you arrive, seek help from the staff to help you navigate the sometimes complex county index. In many cases, this physical search can help you find ownership information. But if the office isn’t well organized, you might not find what you need.

Method 3: Use GIS maps

Some local governments offer Geographical Information System (GIS) maps to provide easy access to property details. If your county government offers a GIS property map, it may show individual lots. When you click on the lot in question, it might pull up ownership details automatically.

Not every county has this option available.

Method 4: Use third-party platforms

There are plenty of websites that may share public property information if available, but keep in mind that this won’t always be accurate. Internet search results could be outdated or unreliable compared to some of the other methods of obtaining information in this list.

Even paid services, which tend to cost at least $50 per month, may not offer entirely accurate information.

Method 5: Knock or leave a note on the door

If you don’t want to go digging around for records, there is one very simple solution that you could be overlooking. Just go knock on the door. If there’s a house on the property, you might be able to get in contact with the owner if they’re home.

Keep in mind that many property owners may not enjoy a stranger approaching their home. Consider leaving a note or letter explaining your situation and any potential offer you’d like to make, along with your contact information.

If the property owner is away, consider approaching the neighbors instead.

Common issues when searching for property ownership records

While the methods above might help you find a property’s owner name, it’s not uncommon to run into some roadblocks. For example, recent sales or transfers through an inheritance might not be recorded yet. Additionally, many property owners hold their homes in an LLC or trust for privacy purposes or liability protection.

If you are having trouble getting to the bottom of the mystery, consider working with a title company to determine the current ownership of the property. Although you’ll often have to pay between $75 and $200 for a title search, it can help you find the answers you need.

What to do when online searches don’t work

Not every county maintains digital copies of ownership records online. If the property you’re looking at isn’t in a county with online records, you’ll need to go old school.

When you head to the office, come prepared with at least the property’s address. If possible, having the parcel number on hand may also help. At the records office, you can ask for a record search or request access to the deed books yourself, if that’s allowed. After the document is located, request a certified copy that’s signed and stamped by the office.

When seeking out older records, the office might have to dig into the historical archives or even direct you to the local library to continue your search.

FAQ about finding a property owner

If you still have questions about how to find who owns a property, the following answers may help.

Can I find who owns property by address only?

In many counties, you can find out who owns a property with just the address.

What if the record is sealed or private?

If the property ownership records are sealed or private, you might not find the owner’s name. Sometimes, submitting a public records request can help you access the details you need.

What if multiple names appear on the records?

It’s common for multiple owners to own a single property. Typically, this indicates joint ownership.

Can I use these methods in any US state?

0access than others.

Can I do a property title search myself?

It’s possible to review title records by yourself. But going it alone could mean missing important details.

The bottom line: Finding a property owner may take time

When searching for a home, you may assume that the only places you can look are listing sites, but that’s not true. Sometimes, if an owner is willing and you make a good enough offer, you can purchase a property that you find on the street.

Ready to buy a home of your own or an investment property? Get started with us online now to see what you can qualify for.

Rocket Mortgage is a trademark of Rocket Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.