Ownership Changes Guide

Changes of ownership or owner status for land and mineral rights require updated title records. Owners should ensure they have the appropriate documentation, which is outlined in the table below for each type of change.

Documents required to process ownership changes

Important Note: Original documents will not be returned; send a COPY (or copies) of the documents requested.

NAME CHANGE-PERSONAL

Marriage Copy of marriage certificate
Divorce Copy of divorce decree reinstating maiden name or prior name, copy of final order/decree showing distribution of assets and copies of any court-mandated conveyance documents
Legal Name Change Court order evidencing name change
Appointment of Attorney In-Fact Copy of power of attorney
Appointment of Agent or Agency Copy of agency agreement
Appointment of Legal Guardian Copy of birth certificate or court order designation guardianship

NAME CHANGE-COMPANY/CORPORATE, LLC

Merger/Name Change Certificate of merger and tax ID number
LCC Name Change Certificate evidencing name change

Purchase/Sale of Interest

Purchase of Interest Recorded copy of conveyance evidencing acquisition of property
Sale of Interest Recorded copy of conveyance evidencing sale of property

TRUSTS/PARTNERSHIP CHANGE

Trust of Partnership is Created Copy of recorded conveyance of interest to the Trustee and/or Trust or Partnership Agreement
Change of Trustee-Death Copy of recorded instrument evidencing death of Trustee and appointment of Successor Trustee and a copy of Trust Agreement
Change of Trustee-Resignation Copy of recorded instruments evidencing Trustee resignation, appointment of Successor Trustee and a copy of Trust Agreement
Change of Trustee-(original or succession) Copy of Trust Agreement or recorded Memorandum of Trust
Trust or Partnership is Terminated Copy of Dissolution of Trust or copy of Partnership and Conveyance to beneficiary or partners.

DEATH OF CO-OWNER

Joint Tenant (with Rights of Survivorship) Certified copy of Death Certificate of deceased joint tenant
Tenants by Entirety Certified copy of Death Certificate of deceased joint tenant
Life Tenant Certified copy of Death Certificate of deceased life tenant, recorded instrument creating the life estate, and names, addresses and tax identification numbers of remaindermen
Tenant in Common Copies of pertinent “Death of Owner” documents described immediately below for deceased tenant in common

DEATH OF OWNER-OWNER DIED WITH A WILL (TESTATE)

Probate proceedings are filed in the state in which the property is located and are currently pending Certified copy of Last Will and Testament, certified copy of Order Admitting Will to Probate and certified copy of Letters Testamentary.
Probate proceedings where filed in the state in which the property is located and are complete Certified copy of Final Decree, Certificate of Transfer or other documentation evidencing final distribution of property by the court
Probate proceedings have not been filed Certified copy of Death Certificate, certified copy of the Last Will and Testament, a copy of a properly executed and recorded Affidavit of Heirship signed or witnessed by an uninterested third party (not a family member) and W-9 IRS form

DEATH OF OWNER-OWNER DIED WITHOUT A WILL (INTESTATE)

Probate proceedings are filed in the state in which the property is located and are currently pending Certified copy of Death Certificate and a certified copy of Administration Proceedings
Probate proceedings where filed in the state in which the property is located and are complete Certified copy of Final Decree, Certificate of Transfer or other documentation evidencing final distribution of property by the court through laws of descent and distribution
Probate proceedings have not been filed Certified copy of Death Certificate, a copy property executed and recorded Affidavit of Heirship signed or witnessed by an uninterested third party (not a family member) and W-9 IRS form

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