Once the title agent receives a contract or lender order, a file will be opened and the process of collecting data from all parties begins.

Examples include legal names, social security numbers, marital status, outstanding liens on the property, etc. The file then goes to the abstracting department to complete the title examination. This is a discovery process to determine if there are any items that may be present such as a tax lien, outstanding mortgage, or prior heir claims on the property.

Once the examination is completed a title commitment is prepared to present to all parties showing what items need to be resolved prior to or at closing and any exceptions as to insurance coverage. Once these items are resolved and funding has been determined, the file can be scheduled to close. Once all parties have signed documents and funding provided, all recordable documents will be sent to the courthouse to be recorded in the official county records. The final step will be the issuance of the title policy which will be sent out to all parties along with the recorded documents.