Grantor/Grantee Index

What is a Grantor/Grantee Index?

A Grantor/Grantee Index is an essential public record system used to cross-reference property transfers by listing the names of grantors (sellers) with grantees (buyers). It allows individuals to trace the history of property ownership and understand its chain of title.

Examples of a Grantor/Grantee Index:

1. County Courthouse Use: Realtors or potential buyers can visit a county courthouse to access the Grantor/Grantee Index to verify the chain of ownership for a property.
2. Historical Property Research: When researching a historical property, historians may use the Grantor/Grantee Index to identify previous owners.
3. Legal Use: Lawyers might use the Grantor/Grantee Index to gather documentation for resolving ownership disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: How is a Grantor/Grantee Index created? A: A Grantor/Grantee Index is typically maintained by the county recorder’s office. Every time a property transaction occurs, the recorder’s office updates the index with the relevant details from deeds and other property documents.

Q: Is the Grantor/Grantee Index available online? A: In many jurisdictions, yes. While the tradition has been to maintain these records manually, many counties now offer digital access to these indexes through their official websites.

Q: What information does a Grantor/Grantee Index contain? A: It contains the names of the individuals involved in property transactions (grantors and grantees), the dates of the transactions, the legal description of the property, and references to the deeds where further details can be found.

Q: Can anyone access the Grantor/Grantee Index? A: Generally, yes. These records are public information and can be accessed by anyone. However, certain information might be restricted depending on the jurisdiction.

Related Terms with Definitions:

• Grantor: The party who transfers ownership of property through a deed.
• Grantee: The party who receives ownership of the property in a property transaction.
• Deed: A legal document that represents the transfer of ownership of real estate from one person to another.
• Chain of Title: The sequence of historical transfers of title to a property.
• Recording: The act of entering documents into the public record, primarily related to real estate transactions.

Online Resources:

1. County Recorder’s Office Websites: Most counties provide online databases where users can search the Grantor/Grantee Index.
2. U.S. Land Records: An online repository for public land records including Grantor/Grantee Indexes across multiple states.
3. Public Records Database Services: Paid services (like CoreLogic, NETR Online) offering access to detailed property records, including grantor/grantee information.

References:

1. “Real Estate Record Keeping,” County Recorder’s Office Documentation.
2. “Public Records and Real Property Transactions,” Legal Publications and Library Archives.
3. “Property Title Search Guidelines,” by Real Estate Professionals Association.

Suggested Books for Further Studies:

1. “Title Searching and Title Insurance” by Nancy Kohl: This book provides a detailed guide on how to conduct title searches and understand the role of title insurance, including utilizing the Grantor/Grantee Index.
2. “The Complete Title and Escrow Industry Handbook” by Patrick J. Carroll: Offers insights into the title and escrow processes, valuable for learning about the importance of the Grantor/Grantee Index.
3. “Real Estate Law” by Marianne M. Jennings: A comprehensive look at the laws governing real estate, including the use and importance of public records like the Grantor/Grantee Index.

Real Estate Basics: Grantor/Grantee Index Fundamentals Quiz