Real estate is a business best kept within our local communities. Iowa Title Guaranty partners with local abstractors, attorneys and independent closers to provide exceptional service with a personal touch. Our local partners offer lenders and owners local expertise and expedient service. Through these partnerships, Iowa Title Guaranty supports local Iowa communities across the state.
Participating attorneys examine abstracts and render title opinions which serve as the basis for commitment and certificate issuance. Many participating attorneys also field issue commitments and certificates and provide closing and settlement services.
Licensed to practice law in Iowa;
Shall remain in good standing with the Iowa Supreme Court;
Maintain professional liability coverage of at least $750,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate; and
Attorneys agree to prepare examine real estate titles and prepare title opinions in accordance with the all applicable laws, the most recent Iowa State Bar Association Iowa Land Title Examination Standards and local standards formally adopted in writing by the bar association situated in the county where the real estate is located.
In Iowa, the status of title is determined by abstract examination. Iowa Title Guaranty participating abstractors search the public records and compile all pertinent information pertaining to a property into a document, known as the abstract. An abstract is a condensed history of title to real property consisting of a summary of all material documents and proceedings affecting, encumbering or otherwise related to such property. Thorough abstracting and title searches are essential in producing clear property titles and enabling the efficient and reliable transfer of real estate.
Iowa Title Guaranty participating abstractors are required to own or lease an up-to-date title plant organized by tract indices for all real estate in each county in which abstracts are prepared by the abstractor. The tract indices contain a reference to all instruments affecting real estate which is recorded in the county Recorder’s Office for a period of no less than the past 40 years. The indices encompass an area of not more than one block in the case of platted real estate, nor more than one section in the case of unplatted real estate.
An exception to the title plant requirement exists for participating attorneys who were abstracting prior to November of 1986 when Iowa Title Guaranty was established. These grandfathered attorneys are exempt from the 40-year tract index requirement.
There is at least one participating abstractor in every county.
Some participating abstractors also field issue and provide closing and settlement services.
Own or lease an up-to-date title plant organized by tract indices for all real estate in each county in which abstracts are prepared by the abstractor.
Maintain liability insurance at minimum in the amount of $750,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate.
Abstractors agree to abstract pursuant to applicable laws, Iowa Land Title Standards Abstracting Standards of the Iowa Land Title Association (“Blue Book”), Abstract Minimum Standards of Iowa Title Guaranty, and local standards formally adopted by the bar association situation in the county where the real estate is located.
Iowa Title Guaranty authorizes certain types of licensed real estate professionals to perform closings covered by a closing protection letter. These professionals are known as “ITG Closers”. Non-attorney closers are often referred to as “Independent Closers”.
Maintain professional liability insurance of not less than $750,000 per claim and not less than $1,000,000 aggregate annual limit.
Must be one of the following:
1. Iowa licensed attorney in good standing with the Supreme Court;
2. Licensed IDOB closing agent in good standing with the State of Iowa; or
3. Real estate broker licensed by the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
Submit a Participation Application.
Remit the annual participation fee in the amount of $75.
Once Iowa Title Guaranty has reviewed and approved your application, you must review and sign a Participant Agreement which includes your Iowa Title Guaranty Participant Number. You must include your Iowa Title Guaranty Participant Number on all title opinions, commitments and certificates prepared for Iowa Title Guaranty purposes.
