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How to Find Out if Someone Owns Property

Lily Evans - August 13, 2025

Finding out if someone owns a particular piece of property can be important for many reasons. Whether you’re considering making an offer on an abandoned lot, wanting to learn more about your neighbors, or simply curious, knowing how to find out if someone owns property can help you make informed decisions.

The good news is that property ownership is a matter of public record in many countries, particularly in the United States. However, navigating these records can sometimes be confusing. The best method to use depends on the information you already have and the purpose of your search.

This article will guide you through various legal and effective ways to find out if someone owns property. We’ll also cover how to respect privacy laws and boundaries while conducting your research.

Table of Contents

Eight Ways to Find Out if Someone Owns Property

Here are eight ways you can find out if someone owns property:

1. Check In With the County Assessor’s Office

Your local assessor’s office keeps detailed records of all taxable real estate within its jurisdiction. These records can include the property owner’s name, the value of the land, parcel ID numbers, tax history, and maps. You can access them online or by paying a visit or phone call to the assessor’s office.

The process is very simple. Start by searching the assessor’s website using the property’s address, parcel number, or sometimes even the owner’s name. If the website is unavailable, call the office directly to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment to obtain the information you need. Make sure you clearly explain why you need the information so the clerk can help you.

When to Use This Method:

Use this method if you know the exact address or parcel number of the property. It works well for verifying ownership quickly and clearly.

2. Check With the County Recorder or Registrar of Deeds

The county recorder (or registrar of deeds) maintains all legal documents related to property, including the deed and the legal record of property ownership. This deed will usually include the full name of the property owner(s), how they hold the title (whether it is sole ownership or joint tenancy), and legal property descriptions.

You can search by the name of the buyer (grantee) or seller (grantor) in most offices. In some cases, you can also use the address to narrow down your search results.

When to Use This Method:

Use this method if you want a more official, legal verification of ownership, especially for historical or legal research.

3. Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping

Many counties and municipalities offer GIS (Geographic Information System) platforms where you can view maps overlaid with property information. These maps often include parcel boundaries, zoning information, and owner details.

All you need to do is enter an address or zoom into a specific map. When you click on a parcel, it opens up the property information card, which may display the owner’s name, parcel ID, land use data, and assessment values.

When to Use This Method:

This method is great if you’re exploring neighborhoods for safety, you need a visual layout, or you don’t know the exact address but can locate the property on a map.

4. Use a Reverse Lookup Tool

The easiest and most discreet method to find information is to use a reverse lookup tool. It aggregates public records, including property records, into one searchable database. You enter a person’s name, phone number, email address, or even a physical address, and it returns any property records, background information, and contact data associated with it.

One example of a reverse people lookup tool is CheckPeople.com. It has a user-friendly interface and provides access to nationwide data. You don’t need to know the specifics of the county or state to perform a search because this tool does the scanning for you.

After the scan is complete, the website compiles all the relevant information into a clear and easy-to-read report. You can go through the results and find out who owns a particular property in just a few minutes.

When to Use This Method:

We recommend using this method if you have the person’s name, phone number, or email, but don’t know where they might own property. It is especially useful when you want to conduct a broad search without having to navigate multiple government websites.

5. Hiring a Real Estate Attorney

You might encounter situations where the stakes are high and you urgently need to find out if someone owns property. This could arise in legal disputes, matters of potential inheritance, or when you are considering purchasing property from someone who might be concealing ownership. In these cases, your best option is to hire a real estate attorney.

Real estate attorneys have access to legal databases, court records, and title documents that are not as publicly available. They can guide you through interpreting complex data, verifying the legitimacy of property ownership, and determining if there are liens or encumbrances on the property.

When to Use This Method:

Use this if you need verified, legally usable information or are preparing for litigation, significant investment, or estate matters.

6. Search for Property Owned Under a Trust or LLC

Many property owners use trusts or limited liability companies (LLCs) to protect their identity and gain legal or tax advantages. This can make it more difficult to trace the true ownership of a property.

You can search deed records to identify which entity is listed as the owner and then use the Secretary of State’s business registry to look up LLCs. This registry can provide information such as the names of members or addresses associated with the LLC. Cross-referencing addresses and names across multiple databases can help you identify patterns and connections more clearly.

Keep in mind that this process can be time-consuming and complex. For a more thorough and detailed investigation, it may be worth hiring an attorney or professional investigator to handle the legwork for you.

When to Use This Method:

This method works best for commercial properties or when ownership is concealed under an entity name.

7. Use Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

If the information you’re looking for is withheld by a government agency, you can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This is a formal process that allows citizens to access non-sensitive government records.

You’ll need to describe precisely what you’re looking for in your request. The only downside is that sometimes you’ll need to wait days or weeks for a response.

When to Use This Method:

Use this method when other options have failed, especially if public agencies are hesitant to provide property data directly.

Social media platforms, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, are excellent sources of information if used correctly. You can get valuable data by going through social media profiles, such as pictures of someone’s home, real estate investments, tagged photos, or location check-ins.

When to Use This Method:

This method works well as a starting point or for informal verification, especially if the person is active online.

What to Do With This Information

Once you have confirmed that someone owns a property, it’s important to consider how you plan to use this information. Are you intending to make an offer, take legal action, locate someone, or simply gain a better understanding of your neighborhood?

Here are some ways you can use the information you find through the methods listed above:

To contact the owner legally through public mailing addresses.
For real estate investment research or off-market deal sourcing.
For estate planning or inheritance verification.
For a project in coordination with attorneys, agents, or title companies for real estate transactions.

Respect Privacy Laws and Boundaries

Keep in mind that while property ownership is often public information, there are boundaries you should not cross under any circumstances. Attempting to access someone’s private financial records, trespassing on land, or using deceitful tactics can get you into legal trouble.

It is legal to access publicly recorded ownership documents, but it is a punishable crime to impersonate someone, hack databases, or use data for harassment or stalking. Make sure you act responsibly and ethically. Just because you can find ownership information doesn’t mean you have the right to misuse it.

If you’re unsure about the legality of your search or your next steps, you can always consult a lawyer or licensed investigator.