Abstract of Title Report

An abstract of title is the complete chronological record of every instrument ever recorded against a tract of land — deeds, patents, leases, mortgages, liens, probates, and court decrees — compiled in order from the original government patent to the present, with each instrument summarized and its source document attached.

The package below is a complete, working example. The parties and tracts in it are fictional; the format, the depth, and the analysis are exactly what Archive delivers.

Last updated July 13, 2026

Illustrative sample — fictional data. Parties, dates, instruments, and records are invented to demonstrate the report format. This is not a real title report.

Abstract of Title

Sample

NW/4, Section 14, Township 24 South, Range 28 East, N.M.P.M.

↓ Download sample package (.zip)
or grab the report PDF · runsheet Excel

A real Archive package also includes every source instrument gathered and analyzed — typically 40–150 recorded deeds, patents, mortgages, and court orders. This sample shows the two deliverables that summarize them: the report and the runsheet.

Common questions

What is an abstract of title?
An abstract of title is the complete chronological compilation of every instrument recorded against a tract of land — from the original government patent forward — with each instrument summarized and indexed. It is the raw record of a property's legal history, assembled in one place, and it is the document a title attorney examines in order to render an opinion.
What is the difference between an abstract and a title opinion?
An abstract is the compiled record; a title opinion is a lawyer's judgment about what that record means. The abstract says what was recorded and when; the opinion says who owns the property, what defects encumber it, and what curative work is required. One is the evidence, the other is the verdict. An Archive report is a research product compiled from public records. It is not a title opinion, a title commitment, title insurance, or a certified abstract, and it is not legal advice. A title opinion is a lawyer's professional judgment about who owns a tract and what defects encumber it, and only a licensed attorney can render one. Archive assembles and verifies the record on which such a judgment is made — thoroughly, quickly, and at a set price — and expects you to have it reviewed before you rely on it.
What is a runsheet?
A runsheet is the abstract in spreadsheet form: one row per instrument, with the recording data, the parties, the instrument type, the land described, and the interest conveyed. It is how a landman works a chain of title — sortable, filterable, and quick to audit against the source documents.
How far back does an abstract go?
To the beginning of private ownership — the original government patent that first conveyed the land out of federal ownership, often in the 1800s. Anything short of that leaves a gap at the root of the chain, and a chain with a gap at its root cannot prove ownership.
Who uses an abstract of title?
Title attorneys, who examine it to render opinions. Landmen and land brokers, who use it to understand a tract before leasing or buying. Operators and private-equity groups, who use it in diligence. Anyone who needs the full recorded history of a property rather than a conclusion about it.
Is the data on this page real?
No. The parties, tracts, and instruments shown on this page are fictional and are used to illustrate the format and depth of a real package. A real Archive report is built from actual recorded county records.
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