Title Examiners and Searchers

Career summary

#No WOIS alt titles

Title examiners and searchers usually work for title insurance or real estate companies. Their job is to search records and examine documents to determine if land can be sold. Title searchers do much of the searching through records. Title examiners analyze the records and determine the legal status of the land. The end result of their work is to issue insurance policies that guarantee a clear title. A clear title means there are no legal problems with the land.

Title searchers and examiners share many of the same duties, but there are some differences.

Title searchers

Title searchers receive search requests that tell them what type of title evidence to look for. They compare the legal description of the property with the one found in records. This verifies ownership. Next, searchers get maps of the land from surveyors' or tax assessors' offices. They search lot books and tax assessors' rolls to compile a list of sales. They also examine the title to determine if there are restrictions that limit its use. If so, they list these restrictions and the actions needed to clear them.

Searchers may talk to realtors, banks, buyers or sellers, or courthouse staff to get more information. Title companies may have done previous searches on the same property in the past. If so, searchers retrieve this information from the company's computer files.

Title searchers prepare a title commitment based on the information found in the title search. In some cases they may prepare the policy.

Title examiners

Title examiners may direct the work of other examiners and searchers.

Examiners also summarize the information in deeds, contracts, and other documents. They analyze all the documents and maps to verify facts about the land's legal status. They also search records to determine if any taxes are due. Next, they prepare a report of claims on the title and the actions required to clear them.

Title examiners may meet with people who have an interest in the land. In these meetings they may resolve problems or give information. Examiners also prepare records and letters.

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Appraisers and Assessors
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
• Credit Analysts
• Executive Secretaries
• Insurance Adjusters and Examiners
• Legal Secretaries
• Paralegals
• Production and Planning Clerks
• Tax Preparers
• Transportation Agents

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to title examiners and searchers.

• Read search request to determine the type of title evidence requested.
• Compare legal description of property with that found in records to verify ownership.
• Request maps or drawings of property from title companies, surveyors, or tax assessors.
• Search lot books, geographical indexes, and tax assessors' rolls to compile lists of sales.
• Use computer to retrieve information from previous searches.
• Talk to realtors, banks, buyers or sellers, surveyors, and courthouse staff to get more information.
• Examine title for restrictions limiting use. List restrictions and actions needed to clear the title.
• Prepare title commitment based on information found in title search.
• Direct activities of staff searching records and examining titles.
• Copy or summarize documents, such as mortgages, deeds, and contracts.
• Examine mortgages, liens, maps, contracts, and other documents.
• Search records for any taxes that were not paid.
• Prepare report of any encumbrances and the actions required to clear the title.
• Confer with interested parties to resolve problems and give information.
• Prepare correspondence and other records, often using computer.
• Prepare and issue title insurance policy.

Common work activities

Title examiners and searchers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Document and record information
• Use computers
• Process information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Analyze data or information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Evaluate information against standards
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with people outside the organization

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, title examiners and searchers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a very high level of social contact. They interact with many different people to gather information.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone, letters, memos, and face-to-face discussions.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Are responsible for the work done by assistants and other examiners and searchers.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• May share office space with others.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors could cost the company and clients money.
• Repeat the same mental and physical activities.
• Regularly make decisions that strongly impact homebuyers and their employer's reputation. They almost always act independently when deciding a course of action.
• Set all their daily tasks and goals independently. They are able to direct their day without a lot of input from managers.
• Work in a moderately stressful atmosphere where daily deadlines must be met.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a regular 40-hour week.
• Travel to government record offices. These are usually within the local area.

Physical demands

Title examiners and searchers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for title examiners and searchers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for title examiners and searchers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

Skills and abilities

Title examiners and searchers need to:

Communicate

• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Legal Secretarial Studies
• Office Support
• Paralegal Studies
• Real Estate

Training

To work as a title examiner or searcher, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Formal training is not required. However, some college course work is helpful, especially for title examiners. Courses in real estate law, business administration, and office management are especially helpful. Experience using computers is increasingly important.

Work experience

Experience working in an office or legal setting is good experience for this work.

On-the-job training

Many title examiners and searchers learn their skills on the job. You often start as an assistant to an experienced examiner or searcher. You help them research cases and they supervise your work. As you gain experience you work on more difficult cases and get more independence. Training usually lasts up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Law Studies
• Office Procedures

Many title examiners and searchers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer applicants who have taken college-level courses or have experience in the field. Some employers fill these jobs by promoting clerks or other office staff. Good clerical and computer skills are often helpful.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary depending on the employer and the area of the country. Wages also vary by the worker's level of responsibility.

Full-time title examiners and searchers usually receive benefits. Common benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 12% of title examiners and searchers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Private title and escrow companies
• Insurance companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to show little to no change. Two factors are likely to limit growth. First, title companies have completed many searches over the years. Workers will be able to use this information to simplify future searches. Second, the use of computers will make the work more efficient. This means the same number of workers will be able to complete a larger workload.

Job openings occur as people retire from this occupation.

Other resources

American Land Title Association 

Washington State Law Library 
360.357.2136

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers (23-2093.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Abstractor (119.267-010) 
• Title Clerk (162.267-010) 
• Title Examiner (119.287-010) 
• Title Searcher (209.367-046) 
• Title Supervisor (119.167-018) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Enterprising/Realistic

COPSystem

• Business Skilled