How to verify land in the US before you pay
Before paying for land in another country, it pays to verify land with sources that do not depend on the seller. In the US that happens in the county where the lot is, and almost all of it can be checked online from Chile, Argentina or Brazil.
By Fridrik Grimsson 5 min read
How do you verify land in the US and find the owner?
By checking the records of the county where the land is. The assessor shows the current owner and the parcel description, the circuit clerk keeps the deeds and liens, and the collector records the taxes paid and owed.
Take Fulton County, Arkansas, as the example. According to its assessor's office, each parcel record includes the current owner, the legal description, transfers and valuation. The circuit clerk acts as recorder, recording deeds, mortgages and liens. The diagram sums up what each office tells you.
1. Assessor
Who owns it and where is it?
Current owner, legal description, transfers and valuation of the parcel
2. Circuit Clerk
Which deeds and debts are recorded?
Recorded deeds, mortgages and liens
3. Collector
Are taxes owed?
Property tax payments and the delinquent list
Is there a single title certificate in the US?
Not as one document. What Chile calls a certificado de dominio vigente, Argentina an informe de dominio and Brazil a matrícula do imóvel is pieced together in the US from county records and, if you want more assurance, a title search or title insurance.
The table shows where to find in the US what you usually check at home. The names change, but the questions are the same: who owns it, what debts it carries and whether it is up to date.
| What you need | At home | In the US |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns it | Certificado de dominio vigente (CL), informe de dominio (AR), matrícula (BR) | Parcel record at the county assessor |
| Mortgages or liens | Certificado de gravámenes (CL), informe de dominio (AR), certidão de ônus reais (BR) | Documents recorded with the circuit clerk |
| Taxes up to date | Tax debt certificate | County collector |
Where do you look up land by its parcel number?
In the county assessor's online system. Every lot has a unique parcel number; with it you see the owner of record, the location and the transfers. If the system does not work from your country, you can call or email the assessor's office.
In Fulton County, the assessor lists its online lookup, phone and email. For deeds, the county has a document search covering everything recorded since 2000, by name, lot or instrument number.
On our site, every lot shows its county parcel number. Browse them in the catalogue of lots or find them on the map of the lots.
What is the difference between a warranty deed and a quitclaim deed?
With a warranty deed, the seller guarantees the title is clear. With a quitclaim deed, the seller only transfers whatever interest they have, if any, with no guarantee. To buy land, a warranty deed is the one to ask for.
The definitions come from Cornell Law School's legal dictionary, which describes a quitclaim deed as a transfer with no warranty that the title is good. The table compares the two.
| Warranty deed | Quitclaim deed | |
|---|---|---|
| What it transfers | The property | Whatever the seller has, if anything |
| Does it guarantee the title? | Yes, the seller guarantees clear title | No |
| Good for buying? | Yes | Only if you understand the risk |
When they finish paying, our buyers receive a warranty deed recorded in Fulton County, as explained on the purchase documentation page.
How do you check whether taxes are owed on the land?
With the county collector. In Fulton County, property tax is paid between March and 15 October; after that it is delinquent with a 10% penalty, and a list of delinquent taxpayers is published before 1 December.
The deadlines are on the Fulton County collector page. If taxes stay unpaid, the parcel can end up at a state auction: the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands says that since July 2023 a parcel sold at auction can no longer be redeemed.
If you already own a lot, the yearly tax is part of the cost of owning it, as we cover in ITIN for foreign property owners.
What are a title search and title insurance?
A title search is a review of the property's history in the county records. Owner's title insurance protects you if someone claims a right to the property from before your purchase, for example over a previous owner's unpaid taxes.
The insurance definition comes from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Owner's title insurance is optional: you decide whether you want it. If you do, ask before signing who arranges it and what it costs.
What are the warning signs of a land scam?
According to the FTC, the US consumer protection agency, warning signs include promises of guaranteed or risk-free profits, pressure to decide quickly, and no details or documents in writing.
The FTC also mentions "world-class" developments that take years to build or are never built. Its advice: search the company name with words like "scam" or "complaint" and verify everything yourself.
That is why we do not promise appreciation or returns. To weigh the upsides and limits calmly, read the pros and cons of investing in land.
Checklist to verify land before you pay
Use this list with any seller, including us. If something does not match, ask for the explanation in writing before you pay.
| What to check | Where | What you should see |
|---|---|---|
| The parcel exists | County assessor | Parcel number, location and legal description |
| Who owns it | Assessor and recorded deeds | The seller as owner, or a written explanation |
| Mortgages or liens | Circuit clerk | None, or a recorded release |
| Taxes | County collector | Paid and with no penalty |
| Deed type | The contract | A warranty deed in your name once you finish paying |
What we give you to check
Every lot has its Fulton County parcel number, shown on its page and in the promise of sale. When you finish paying, you receive the warranty deed recorded in your name. The details are in purchase documentation and what the purchase includes.
If you want to review a document before buying, ask for it and we will send it. You can meet the team on about us.
Next steps
Once you have checked everything, the full process is in how to buy land in the USA. The price is US$15,000 cash, or US$3,000 down and 24 payments of US$500. Still have questions? Book a video call or check the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check county records from my own country?
Yes. The assessor and the circuit clerk have online systems, and you can also call or email each office.
Is a quitclaim deed illegal?
No. It is a valid transfer, but it does not guarantee clear title. To buy, a warranty deed is the better choice.
What happens if the land has unpaid taxes?
It becomes delinquent with a penalty. If the debt continues, the parcel can end up at a state auction, and since July 2023 an auction sale is final.
Is title insurance mandatory?
Not for the owner. Owner's title insurance is optional; banks usually require a separate policy when they lend, but our payment plans do not use a bank.
Updated November 13, 2026
