A certificate of title is a statement of opinion prepared by a title company, licensed abstracter or an attorney on the status of a title of real property, based on an examination of specified public records. 

In many states, the seller provides a certificate of title at his or her own expense, certifying the condition of the title as of the closing date.  If the buyer desires title insurance, the buyer must pay the difference between the cost of the certificate of title and the cost of the title insurance policy.