Need to find out who owns a house or piece of land? Whether you’re researching a potential home purchase, resolving a property line question, or trying to contact a landlord, the good news is that property ownership information is usually public record in the United States. The trick is knowing where to look and how to read what you find. This guide walks you through the best, legitimate ways to identify a property owner, from free county databases to practical backup methods when records are limited or the owner holds title through an LLC or trust.
Best Ways to Find Who Owns a House or Property
Start with the address in hand and check free public resources before paying for anything. Many counties publish searchable databases that let you look up who owns a property by street address or parcel number. If your county’s site is limited, expand your search with state resources, open data portals, or a quick call to the assessor’s office for guidance on where ownership and tax records are maintained.
When local government sites fall short or you need more detail, try a layered approach. Use a reverse address lookup to confirm basic details (like the full address format and ZIP+4) and then cross-check with county tax and deed records. If the property is held in the name of an LLC or trust, search your state’s Secretary of State business registry for the entity’s registered agent, officers, or a mailing address that may lead to the real decision-maker.
If you’re looking for contact—not just the legal owner of record—consider practical, ethical methods. Check the property tax billing address on the tax roll, which often lists a current mailing address even for out-of-area owners. Speak with neighbors or the HOA/property management if applicable. For complex cases (title disputes, estates, layered LLCs), a local title company, real estate attorney, or licensed investigator can conduct a formal title search and explain liens, transfers, and ownership history.
County Records: Assessor, Recorder, and GIS Maps
Your best source for who owns a house or property is typically the county (or city) where the property is located. Start with the County Assessor or Property Appraiser website, which usually lists the current owner of record, assessed value, parcel number (APN), land use, and the mailing address on file for tax bills. Many assessor portals let you search by address, owner name, or parcel number; note the APN because you may need it to locate deeds and maps.
Next, check the Recorder of Deeds (sometimes called the County Clerk or Register of Deeds). This office maintains the official chain of title—deeds, transfers, liens, mortgages, and releases. Search by parcel number or owner name to find the most recent grant deed or warranty deed; the grantee on the latest deed is generally the current legal owner. Some counties allow you to download deeds for free; others charge a small fee. Pay attention to vesting language (e.g., joint tenants, trust) and document dates to make sure you’re viewing the most recent transfer.
Finally, open your county’s GIS or parcel map viewer. These map tools display parcel boundaries, dimensions, zoning, flood overlays, and often link directly to the assessor record for that parcel. GIS layers can help you verify that you have the correct lot (critical for rural areas or properties with multiple structures). If the GIS viewer doesn’t list the owner name, it will usually provide the APN and a direct link to the tax or assessor page, where ownership and the tax mailing address are posted.
Finding who owns a house or property typically starts and ends with county records: assessor data for the current owner and mailing address, recorder records for the deed, and GIS maps to confirm the parcel. If ownership appears under an LLC or trust, bridge the gap by checking the Secretary of State’s business registry or consult a title professional for a clear picture. Use what you find responsibly, respect privacy, and rely on official records to ensure accuracy before making contact or decisions about the property.