You Can Start With What You Have
Thinking about selling your land, but not sure where the paperwork is? Start with the basics. You don't need to find every old deed or map before you contact us.
A tax bill is a good place to look. It may have the land's ID number, the owner's name and the county. If you don't have one, tell us what you know about the land. Even a road name or a nearby town can help us get started.
A Quick Checklist
Gather what you can from this list. It's fine to leave a few blanks.
You can check these boxes as you go. They won't be saved when you leave this page or sent to us with your form.
Which Papers Are Worth Looking For?
You don't need to put together a thick folder. Here are the papers that can help, and what each one tells us.
Your property tax bill
This is often the easiest place to start. Look for the county name and a number called a parcel number, property ID or tax account number. Those are names for the number the county uses to track a piece of land.
Copy the whole number, including any zeros at the start. If you have tax bills for more than one piece of land, keep each bill with the right property. An old bill can help us find the land, but it may not show what you owe today.
A copy of the deed
A deed is the paper used to transfer land from one owner to another. It lists names and describes the land. You may have a copy with the papers from when you bought or inherited it.
Can't find it? Let us know. The county office that keeps land records may have a copy. The office name varies by state, so look for the county recorder, clerk or register of deeds. An old deed is a starting point; the person handling the sale will still need to check the current records.
A map or survey
A link to the county's online land map can help show where your property is. A survey is a more detailed drawing made by a surveyor. If you already have one, keep it handy. You don't need to order a new survey just to ask us about selling.
A map line alone doesn't prove where a boundary is or whether you have the right to use a road. If you're unsure about either, say so. We can start with that question on the list.
Any papers about loans, leases or road use
Do you still owe money on the land? Does someone rent it or use a road across it? Tell us what you know. If you have papers about those things, keep them together so you can find them later.
You don't have to work out every detail before the first call. It helps to mention these issues early so they can be checked before a sale moves forward.
What If You Don't Have Much Information?
You can still contact us. A short note in your own words is enough to explain what you know and where you need help.
For example: “I have about eight acres near Pine Road in Adams County. I have an old tax bill, but I can't find the deed. The land doesn't have a street address.”
That's a useful start. You don't need to guess at a street address or fill in a land ID you're not sure about. Our guide to finding land without a street address has more places to look.
If the land came from a parent or another family member, tell us that too. If you're helping someone else sell, let us know whose land it is and how you're helping.
Selling more than one piece of land? Make a short list with a county, land ID and rough size for each one. Say whether you'd like to sell them together. Here's more help with selling several pieces of land.
What Happens With the Paperwork Later?
If you decide to move ahead with a sale, the title company or attorney handling it will explain which papers they need. They check the ownership records, find out who needs to sign and work through any money owed on the land.
Before you sign, ask for a clear list of the sale price, fees and any debts being paid from the sale. Ask how much money you'll receive. If something doesn't make sense, ask them to explain it in plain words.
For your first message to us, keep it simple: your contact details and what you know about the land. Don't put bank details, Social Security numbers or photos of your ID in the website form.
Tell Us About Your Land
You don't have to have all the answers today. Fill out the short form on this page with what you know, and tell us what's missing. That gives us a place to start.