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How do I get a copy of a title the county says is in its 'dead files'?

My fiancés aunt, uncle, and cousin are staying with us while they sort out a housing program that needs a copy of the title to their old house, which they bought back in 1973 from a company thats long out of business. The county says the title is in their 'dead files' and basically impossible to pull, and every online service that claims they can get it wants payment upfront, which feels like a scam. Could an agent point me toward the right way to actually track this down?

Asked by Odessa P. | Macon, GA| 11-02-2026| 12 views|Working With an Agent|Updated 2 days ago

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Jonathan ClaudioReal Estate Agent1 day ago

Absolutely. The first thing I'd recommend is going directly through the County Recorder's Office rather than paying one of those third-party websites. What they're looking for is most likely a recorded grant deed, not necessarily the original physical title. I'd start by gathering the aunt and uncle's full legal names, the property's address or APN, the approximate purchase date in 1973, and the name of the company they purchased it from.

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Adam TafelReal Estate Agent1 day ago
Rising Star21 Answers

I agree that Michael is pointing you in the right direction. Find a local title company and see what they charge to find/pull this information.

Keith Jean PierreReal Estate Agent1 day ago

Michael has the right information here. Good luck! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Michael AtkinsonReal Estate Agent2 days ago

Start by asking the housing program whether it needs a certified copy of the recorded deed. In Georgia, that is kept by the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the property is located. Give the deed room the buyers' names, seller's company name, address, and approximate purchase date, and specifically request a search of archived deed books or microfilm. If the home is in Bibb County, its online deed index includes records back to 1950. If staff still cannot locate it, ask the records supervisor about the archive retrieval process. A local real estate attorney or title examiner can also help trace the record. The seller being out of business should not prevent retrieval of a recorded deed. Legitimate copy and research fees are normal, but verify the provider and exact service before paying.

Keith Jean PierreReal Estate Agent1 day ago

Michael has the right info here!

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