Search Property by Owner Name: Tips and Tricks

Richard Grey - October 3, 2024

Sometimes, you need to search through a property to find the owner and the history of the property. This can seem confusing, but there are fortunately a few different ways for you to look through property records and other property details using just the owner’s name. Our article gives you the best options to search for a property by owner name alone, and you can use these methods to find the property history and ownership information you need.

Why Search for Property by the Owner’s Name?

You may have many different reasons for searching for a property by the owner’s name. Some of the most common reasons to perform this search include:

• Researching a certain neighborhood and the properties within that neighborhood
• Researching a property you used to live in
• Researching a property because you are interested in purchasing it
• Conducting historical research about a specific property
• Needing to figure out how old a property is or when it was built
• Researching taxes that someone may have paid on a property

In general, searching for a property by the owner’s name is a helpful way to learn more about a specific property. These types of searches are perfectly legal, though you should note that you cannot use any of the information you learn to harass someone or otherwise bother them about their property.

Are Property Records Public?

The majority of property records available today are public records, as county and state governments will maintain property ownership and tax records in a public database. As properties are purchased, hands are changed, and taxes are paid on them, all of this goes onto the public county record.

However, depending on certain state and town rules, you may need to check a local courthouse, County Clerk’s office, or a separate government public records office to locate the information you need. Search for where property records are held in your specific state to learn the details about accessing public property records.

How to Search a Property by Owner Name

Below, we give you some of the best search methods to use when you are searching for a property’s details by owner name only. You can use any name that may be connected with the property to start your search, though some search methods also require that you have the address on hand.

If you have trouble with one method, make sure to try all of the methods available to find out the property information you need to know.

Property Tax Records

Property tax records give you insight into a property’s ownership, and these tax records are typically categorized by name and address. These records will include details about when taxes have been paid, how much taxes are on a specific property, and how long an owner has been paying taxes on their property. However, disclosure rules do vary on a state and county basis, so you may be able to see more or less information depending on this.

To start your search for property tax records, research the county office in charge of the records where the property you are searching for is located. You can generally search on a county records office’s website using the name of the property owner. If you need to narrow your search, put the exact address in for the property and select the option that matches the property’s location and owner name.

You can then view records regarding the ownership of the property. Keep in mind that some government websites require you to pay a minimal fee to access this information.

Property Deeds

Searching through property deeds can be done by name alone, and a deed can give you information about a current owner, while historical deeds can help you build a complete picture of ownership of the property in question. Property deeds can also be helpful when you need to determine who owns a specific piece of land or if there are liens on a property.

To search property deeds by owner name, you will need to access the website or visit in person the Recorder of Deeds office for the county where a property is located. Some counties call this office the Register or Commissioner of Deeds.

Once you have this office or the office’s website located, you can search by the suspected property owner’s name to find information on the property deed. You may need to visit in person and look through documents manually or speak with a staff member if you are searching for very old property deeds.

Online Records Searches

Online record searches are a great way to find information about a property using just a property owner’s name, though you may also need the address of a property to narrow down many searches. An online record search can be performed with you simply using your favorite internet browser and a few different website options.

Options for conducting online searches for properties using an owner’s name include:

• Real estate websites – These are helpful when you are researching a property that is for sale, and you can search by address or sometimes the owner’s name.
• Address search tools – An online address search tool can be helpful if you need to confirm the name of an owner, allowing you to search through government records and public property records more effectively.
• Public record searches – A quick online public record search of an owner can tell you any properties they are connected to in addition to how long a person has lived at a property and the basic history of that property; this is a convenient way to avoid searching through government websites for the information you need.

What If I Can’t Find Any Information About a Property’s Current Owner?

If you can’t find any information about a property’s current owner, you may be dealing with a property that is owned by a bank or another business. Sometimes, property owners will sell their homes to a property management company, or a home may be foreclosed upon, and these records may be available through a county records search or visible on tax records. Instead, you may need to search through foreclosure records and real estate listings to determine who the current owner of a property actually is.

Will I Have to Pay to Find Information About a Property?

If you are accessing property records through your county’s courthouse or another government-run record service, you may have to pay a very small fee to access the information about a property you need. These fees contribute to the cost of record keeping and accessing copies of the records.

That being said, if you are using an online service, website, or app to research a property and you are asked to provide a large amount of money or your personal banking details and information, you may be dealing with a scam. It is important to research the legitimacy of a website providing property record information before you input any of your personal details into the website. And remember, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Can I Find Historical Property Records in My County?

While your county records office is unlikely to have historical records or records that are more than a decade or two old, you may be able to find historical property records in your local library. Many local libraries have a records section that holds the history of your town, and you can look through these resources to find the information you need.

If you cannot find the right historical property records at a local library, you could also try your county’s historical society or a local museum about your city or town, as these places typically keep extensive records about some of the oldest properties in the area.

How Do I Trace a Property’s History?

Tracing a property’s history might feel like an overwhelming task, but this process doesn’t need to be quite so confusing. As you look up property records, tax records, and building records for a property, you can put together a history of who owned the property and who currently lives there. You may also be able to look through historical records in your local library if you need a more in-depth picture of a property’s history.

Finding the Property Information You Need

Searching through property information using only the owner’s name can seem a little time-consuming, but this search is worth it if you need to track down the history of a property. You can use the methods in our article to build a complete picture of a property’s history and owner, and you can learn more about the people who live at a certain property.

When you search, be sure to keep an eye out for red flags offering you information that seems too good to be true, and always err on the side of caution if you plan to contact a homeowner about their property.