How can you convert the legal description of a property into the physical address of that property?

Answer 1

In the US:

Generally, some cross-research in the assessor's officeand the land records office should disclose the address if there is one. It requires some work.

A physical address is usually a description of the location of a dwelling or building so that the building can be readily found by the police, fire department, post office, FedX, UPS, etc. It's easier to find the address in the assessor's records and then check the owner in the land records to find the corresponding deed. In some areas the assessor's office maintains a record of the present owner's deed.

If you have the deed, it provides the legal descriptionof the property. If you have the deed you can take that with you to the assessor's office, look at the map showing the street and compare the parcels to your deed descriptions. You may be able to see the parcel described in the deed portrayed on the assessor's map. If so, check the assessor's map and parcel number for the name of the owner and you may find the address. The staff may be willing to help.

If you have the deed you can also check the owner's name in the assessor's records to find if there is a street address that corresponds to that owner. Then compare the deed to the parcel shown on the assessor's map. It's can be a complicated endeavor but professional title examiners use these methods regularly. You might find some valuable assistance from a friendly title examiner working in the land records office.

One factor that may complicate your research is that all properties are not assigned a street address, especially undeveloped land. Lots with no structures may be simply listed as, "Lot- East side of Maple Street- 5,000 square feet". In that case you will not find an address. Also, it's more difficult to research owners who own several parcels in the same area.

Here is a completely different approach:

If you have the deed you can check the owner's name in the grantor index in the land records office. Look for any documents such as mortgages that have been recorded against the property. Deeds often don't show a property address. However, mortgages and municipal lien certificates usually show the address of the property. By reviewing any mortgages or certificates recorded by the owner of that property you may find the address.

Answer 2

You cannot. The address of the property is determined by the county assessors office. Both the legal description and the address are on your deed.

Answer 3

Try your County tax assesors web site or Supeior Court real estate records web site. Otherwise first inquire at the City's tax office or go to the County officies for help.

Answer 4

Call the assessors office and try to obtain the recorded land reference for the property. Then go to the land records to obtain a copy of the deed. The deed will recite the legal description.