A professional who searches public records and examines titles to determine legal condition of property title. Responsibilities include:

• Examines copies of records, such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, vital statistics, and plat and map books to determine ownership and legal restrictions and to verify legal description of property.
• Copies or summarizes (abstracts) recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts affecting condition of title to property.
• Analyzes restrictions and prepares report outlining restrictions and actions required to clear title.
• When working in title-insurance company, prepares and issues policy that guarantees legality of title.