Practice 9F: Title Investigation and Recording

This guidance covers Practice 9F, which includes three elements:

1. ⬤ Prior to closing and preferably early in the process, have a title company or attorney investigate title for each property or conservation easement the land trust intends to acquire

   1. ⬤ a. Update the title at or just prior to closing

2. ⬤ Evaluate the title exceptions and document how the land trust addressed mortgages, liens, severed mineral rights and other encumbrances prior to closing so that they will not result in extinguishment of the conservation easement or significantly undermine the property’s important conservation values

3. ⬤ Promptly record land and conservation easement transaction documents at the appropriate records office

⬤ Accreditation indicator element | ■ Terrafirma enrollment prerequisite | ▲ Required for both

May 2026 update: Updated accreditation requirements for Practice Elements 9F1 and 9F2 to reflect the 2026 Requirements Manual.