What term describes the process of identifying owners from the current owner back to the original owner?

The process of identifying owners from the current owner back to the original owner is known as running the chain of title. This term specifically refers to the examination of the history of ownership of a property, documenting all transactions and changes in ownership over time. It is an integral part of ensuring that the title to the property is clear of any disputes, liens, or claims.

When you run the chain of title, you access public records to reveal the entire lineage of ownership. This helps clarify whether the current seller has the legal right to sell the property. It is essential in real estate transactions as it protects buyers from future ownership disputes.

While other terms may seem relevant, they pertain to different aspects of real estate. Chain of custody is often used in legal contexts to track the handling of evidence, title commitment refers to a promise by a title company to issue a title insurance policy, and property lineage, while potentially descriptive, is not the correct legal terminology used in real estate. Thus, running the chain of title is the correct term for the process of tracing ownership back through time.