What is Torrens or registered title?
The United States has two systems for determining real estate title, which exist side by side in some jurisdictions. The most common and oldest is the abstract system. The abstract is a summary of all deeds and other instruments relating to a particular piece of property that have been recorded in the county land office. The attorney or title insurance firm reviews the abstract, traces the various lines of ownership from person to person and deed to deed over the years, matches mortgages with satisfactions of mortgages and so forth, finally arriving at a conclusion as to who owns the property and what liens or encumbrances are still valid and in force. In some states, particularly Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, the abstract system is being gradually replaced by a system of registered land titles. Land is initially registered through a court proceeding. An examiner of titles or similar government official will examine the abstract of title, and draw a conclusion as to o
