Curious about the history of your own home? Accessing property ownership records can be incredibly useful in all these situations.
Fortunately, you can search public property databases from the comfort of your home—many of which are free and easy to navigate. Whether you’ve stumbled upon your dream home or recently bought a property and want to explore its past, these tools can help you identify and even contact current or past owners.
Here’s a guide to discovering who owns a property:
Start with Public Records
Use government resources.
Jordan Scherer of R.A. Private Investigation and Security in Chicago explains that seasoned private investigators rely heavily on public records when researching property ownership.
“We usually check the records at the deed and assessor’s office, and sometimes even the secretary of state for a business report related to the property,” he said.
Your first stops should be the deed registry and the tax assessor’s office.
Then look for the registry of deeds or the property records section, which may be found within the county clerk’s office or tax assessor’s office.
Look for the PIN or APN Number
If you know the PIN (Property Identification Number) or APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number), you’ll have a much easier time accessing ownership information. These are unique identifiers for parcels of land.
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You can also find it through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), commonly used in real estate transactions.
Understand the Types of Searches Available
Some offices allow searches by address or parcel number, which can yield:
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The name of the homeowner
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Mortgage information
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Historical ownership records
For older properties, the full ownership history might not be digitized. In that case, you may need to visit the county clerk’s office in person to access physical deed books.
Check with the Tax Assessor’s Office
If the deed registry doesn’t have the information you need, the assessor’s office is another valuable source. Here, you can find:
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The name and address of the taxpayer
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Property tax history
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Assessed value
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Property description and images
This data can help you estimate potential property taxes and evaluate past ownership.
Note: Some counties may charge a small fee for accessing records from the assessor’s or land registry offices.
Review Property Listings
Many MLS systems record both current and past property owners, as well as:
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Tax details
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PINs
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Home features
Listing websites like Homes.com pull this data from public records. You can also ask a real estate agent to retrieve these details if you’re unable to access them yourself.
Scherer notes, “The MLS operates publicly because it powers listing websites, but it also retains more detailed ownership data.”
If the home has ever been listed or sold, its details will likely still be available through the MLS or platforms like Homes.com.
When Public Resources Aren’t Enough
Consider hiring a professional.
If you’ve exhausted public records and online tools, a private investigator, title company, or real estate attorney can often help, though usually at a cost.
Scherer explains that many investigators use specialized databases such as:
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LexisNexis Accurint
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CLEAR by TransUnion
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idiCORE
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Citizen and Law Enforcement Analysis and Reporting tools
These databases pull from public records but also include utility data, business operations, and mailing information—useful for uncovering ownership by corporations or LLCs (Limited Liability Companies).
Fees for private investigations typically range from $100 to $250, depending on the agency and the scope of research.
Use a Title Company or Real Estate Attorney
Title companies can uncover additional ownership details such as:
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Liens on the property
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Legal factors that may impact a future sale
Attorneys specializing in real estate are particularly helpful when:
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The property is owned by an LLC
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Ownership information is registered in another state
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Legal interpretation or communication is required
LLCs are often used to keep property ownership private, making title searches more complex. You may be able to look up the LLC in your state’s business entity database, but information is often limited or hidden.
Explore Alternative Methods
Still can’t find who owns the property? Try more personal approaches:
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Visit the home: Even if tenants live there, they may know the owner’s name.
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Leave a note: Introduce yourself, explain your interest, and leave your contact information.
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Send a letter: If no one is home, mail a letter to the property address.
Talk to Neighbors
Neighbors often know more than you think. They might:
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Provide the owner’s name
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Share how long the owner has had the property
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Offer insights into its condition or history
Visit the Local Library
Local libraries are underrated resources. Librarians can help you access:
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Archived property records
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Old construction permits
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Historical maps
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Changes to street names
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Long-term estate ownership information
Libraries often carry local government publications or partner with county archives, making them an excellent starting point for in-depth research.
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