Legal Definitions - public-records doctrine

The public-records doctrine is a legal principle that applies in many states. It states that if a third person is interested in buying or acquiring real property, they can rely on the information found in public records and do not need to investigate further for any unrecorded interests.

For example, if someone is interested in buying a piece of land, they can search the public records to see if there are any liens or mortgages on the property. If there are none, they can assume that the property is free and clear of any encumbrances. They do not need to investigate further to see if there are any unrecorded interests.

Another example is if a bank is interested in lending money to someone who wants to buy a house. The bank can rely on the public records to see if there are any outstanding mortgages or liens on the property. If there are none, they can assume that the property is free and clear and can lend the money without worrying about any unrecorded interests.

The public-records doctrine is important because it provides a level of certainty and predictability in real estate transactions. It allows people to rely on the information found in public records and make informed decisions without having to worry about any hidden interests or encumbrances.