Real estate title glossary
What is abstract of title?
Definition
An abstract of title is a condensed history of a parcel: a chronological summary of every recorded deed, mortgage, lien and other instrument affecting it.
Abstracts were the standard before title insurance and remain common in some states. An abstract summarizes the record; it does not by itself say whether title is good, which is the job of an attorney's title opinion or an insurer.
How it shows up in a title search
A modern title search produces the same information from the county index, and a HeritageDeed report lists each instrument with its document number and date.
Guides that go deeper
- Chain of Title: What It Is, an Example, and How It Differs From an Abstract of TitleA chain of title is the ordered record of every transfer of a property. A worked example, how gaps appear, and how it differs from an abstract of title.
- Owner and Encumbrance Report (O&E): What It Shows and What It MissesAn owner and encumbrance (O&E) report names the current owner of record and lists recorded mortgages, liens and judgments. What it covers and what it leaves out.
- Title Commitment: What It Is, How to Read It, and How It Differs From a Title SearchA title commitment is an insurer's offer to issue a title policy once requirements are met. How to read its exceptions and how it differs from a title search.
Related terms
GrantorGranteeVestingConsiderationMarketable record title actTorrens titleGrantor-grantee indexExecutor's deedAll terms
Source: Legal Information Institute, Wex: abstract of title. Plain-English summary of general US usage; state law varies, and this is not legal advice.