Public records are created and published by counties, cities, and federal agencies with different systems, formats, and release schedules. Some jurisdictions publish permits online; others keep them behind a counter. A BehindTheDeed report shows which sources were available for your address and which were not.

Recorder and assessor data can lag transactions by days or months. Permit databases may omit older work. A report reflects the best available data at retrieval time — it is a snapshot, not a live guarantee.

When we cannot retrieve a source, the report says Source Unavailable. That is not the same as a clean result. For high-stakes decisions, verify directly with the record custodian (county recorder, building department, tax office).

AI drafts summaries and questions from the retrieved evidence. It does not — and must not — invent records, certify title, or make legal conclusions. Every AI-assisted section is grounded in cited findings; see our AI Use Disclosure.

We surface title and deed indicators from public records. We do not perform a formal title examination, issue a title commitment, or replace a title company. Lenders and buyers should obtain professional title services.

Nothing in a report assesses physical condition, boundaries, or market value with professional certainty. A report can tell you a roof permit was filed in 2021; only an inspector can tell you the roof's condition today.

Each section carries a confidence level (High / Medium / Low / Source Unavailable / Needs Manual Verification) based on source authority, freshness, and consistency. Low confidence means: verify before relying on it.

Recent transfers, refinances, or liens may not yet appear in county indexes. If a transaction is very recent, confirm with the recorder or a title professional.