FAQs

What is the California Land Title Association (CLTA)?

The California Land Title Association is a non-profit trade organization representing the entire title industry in California. The Association develops title forms and has a number of services to offer its members along with serving as a unified voice on legislative and regulatory issues. A strong Association benefits all of its members.

Are we a member of the CLTA?

The CLTA consists of three types of membership including Regular, Associate and Affiliate members. CLTA Regular membership consists of our California underwritten title companies, and title insurance companies which are licensed by the California Department of Insurance. Associate Membership consists of companies engaged in the title or title insurance business in a state, other than California. Affiliate Membership consists of individuals in title industry related professions. Check our Member Directory for all member listings.

Where can I obtain statistical information relating to the title industry and/or real estate? 

Some statistical information is offered by the American Land Title Association (ALTA), and by the California Association of Realtors (CAR). The California Land Title Association does not compile statistical information. 

Where can I obtain “training” information to become a title company employee?

Many title companies train within their own company. However, CLTA’s Education Committee offers a variety of topics of interest to the title industry at varying educational levels. CLTA's education is free to CLTA Regular, Associate and Affiliate Members through a podcast-type series called CLTA Titlecast. The list of available CLTA Titlecast episodes is available HERE.

How can I obtain information on a title company licensed in California that is no longer in business?

California Department of Insurance
www.insurance.ca.gov
300 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(800) 927-4357 (HELP) or (213) 897-8921
*Be sure to indicate your inquiry is related to Real Property Insurance

What state agency regulates title companies in California?

California Department of Insurance
www.insurance.ca.gov
300 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(800) 927-4357 (HELP) or (213) 897-8921
*Be sure to indicate your inquiry is related to Real Property Insurance

What state agency regulates escrow companies in California?

California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) www.dfpi.ca.gov

What are the Title Consumer and Title Reporter Series?

The CLTA Title Consumer and Title Reporter Series are designed to assist title company members in providing consumers with useful title and real estate related information in the most concise, and educational form. It is the goal to provide consumer education information to the general public in order to foster a greater understanding of the role of the title industry. Participating CLTA Committees made up of industry member professionals, compile the consumer information for publishing. Consult the Consumer Library for current titles.

What is the CLTA Manual?

The Manual contains a discussion of the basic elements of insuring land titles in California with suggested recommendations. These suggestions are no more than a guide. No guide can anticipate all problems, nor can any guide provide irrevocable rules for dealing with the problems discussed. Situations often compel deviation, and sometimes there are better ways of doing things. No guidelines can be written to cover every conceivable situation. The Manual is not a textbook and is not intended as a statement of the law applicable to the subjects covered. Member companies of the California Land Title Association may or may not follow recommended practices. This inconsistency will be based upon the varying factual situations and the underwriting standards of each company. The rules and practices of any particular member company may vary. Employees from Regular and Associate Member title companies may subscribe to the CLTA Manual for an annual fee.

What are the CLTA Policy and Endorsement Forms (P&E)?

​The CLTA P&E Forms is a compilation publication of standard forms currently recommended for use by the members of the California Land Title Association. These forms contain, and the revisions will reflect, only material which has been formally adopted by the CLTA and are on file with the Insurance Commissioner of the State of California.  Subscription to the CLTA P&E forms is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of reliance; that the purchase, ownership or possession of these forms is not an offer of the California Land Title Association or any of its members to undertake insurance nor issue any particular form of insurance. 

Click to set custom HTML