Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Title Examiner
What title examiners actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a title examiner?
Open new title orders. From there, the day usually includes search property records, trace chain of title, and find liens and judgments. Full time, busier when home sales are strong.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a title examiner working full time.
- Open new title orders.
- Search county records online.
- Trace a 40-year chain of title.
- Find an old unreleased mortgage.
- Check for tax liens.
- Write a title commitment.
- Call a lender about a payoff.
Where title examiners work
Title examiners work in title company offices, county recorder offices and remotely.
Hours and schedule
Full time, busier when home sales are strong.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Search property records
- Trace chain of title
- Find liens and judgments
- Review legal descriptions
- Prepare title reports
- Identify title defects
- Work with closers and attorneys
Tools you’ll use every day
- County recorder databases
- Title plant software
- Title production systems
- GIS parcel maps
- PDF tools
- Spreadsheets
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Detective-style research
- Remote options
- No degree required
- Steady with real estate
What’s hard
- Volume swings with the housing market
- Detail pressure
- Old handwritten records
- Deadlines tied to closings
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like research
- I’m very detail-oriented
- I like old records
- I can work alone
- I want remote options
- I don’t need a degree
Not sure? Take the free Title Examiner fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect personal data
- Follow recording laws
- Prevent wire fraud at closing
- Keep records accurate