Quick Answer
A legal description identifies the specific real estate using a formal property description recognized by law, typically including lot and block numbers from a recorded plat, metes and bounds measurements, or a government survey system reference. It is not the same as the street address.
The legal description is one of the most important elements on a title commitment. While a street address is convenient for everyday use, the legal description is the definitive way to identify the real estate being transferred and insured.
Why Is a Legal Description Necessary
Street addresses can change, be duplicated, or be unofficial. Legal descriptions are based on official records that precisely define the property's boundaries and location. Title insurance policies, deeds, and mortgages all rely on the legal description to identify the real estate.
Common Types of Legal Descriptions
Lot and Block
Used in subdivisions where a plat map has been recorded. The description refers to a specific lot number, block number, and subdivision name. This is common in residential subdivisions and is typically the simplest type of legal description.
Metes and Bounds
Uses distances, angles, and directional bearings to describe the property boundaries. This method is common for rural or irregularly shaped properties. The description starts at a point of beginning and traces the boundary back to that point.
Government Survey System
Also called the Public Land Survey System, this method uses township, range, and section references. It is used in many western and midwestern states where the federal government originally surveyed the land.
Condominium Description
For condominiums, the description typically refers to the unit number, building, and condominium plat or declaration, often combined with a fractional interest in the common elements.
Does It Show Property Lines
The legal description defines the boundaries in words, but it does not show them visually. To see property lines on a map or in relation to physical features, you typically need a survey. For more on what to check, read Why Should Buyers Review the Legal Description?
Why Should Buyers Care
The legal description tells you exactly what real estate is being transferred and insured. If the description is wrong, you could end up with a different property, the wrong parcel size, or a policy that does not cover the correct real estate. Learn what to do if the legal description is wrong.
Key Takeaway
The legal description is the official way real estate is identified in title records, deeds, and title insurance policies. It is different from a street address. Verify the description matches what you expect to buy and insure.
FAQs
Can a legal description be changed?
Yes, but typically through a legal process such as a corrective deed or a lot line adjustment. Minor corrections may be handled by a corrective document; substantial changes may require a new survey and replat.
Does the legal description guarantee the property size?
The legal description defines boundaries, but physical measurements may differ from what is on paper. A survey can confirm whether the actual property matches the legal description.
Is a legal description the same as a parcel number?
No. A parcel number (also called an assessor's parcel number or APN) is a tax identification number, not a legal description. The legal description is the formal property boundary definition.