Is Title Insurance Possible After a Tax Sale? What Investors Need to Know

One of the most common questions from tax sale buyers is: Can I get title insurance on this property? The answer is yes, but not always immediately. 

Why Title Insurance Matters 

Title insurance protects against undiscovered claims, defects, or liens that may exist on a property’s history. Without it, most lenders will not finance a transaction, and most buyers will not purchase the property. 

Requirements for Insurability After Tax Sale 

Tax sale properties can become insurable after one of the following: 

• Quiet Title Judgment: A court judgment confirming your ownership after redemption has expired 

• Compliance Affidavit Process: A legal process outlined under La. R.S. 47:2157, et al that allows an investor to prove notice and procedural compliance 

• Redemption Period Expiration: Once three years have passed without redemption, the investor may proceed with title clearance 

  
  

Why It’s Not Automatic 

A tax sale certificate is not a deed. The redemption rights of the original owner remain for three years, and until those rights are legally extinguished or confirmed by court judgment, title insurance will not be issued. 

At Title Stream, we assist clients in converting tax sale interests into fully insurable ownership so they can refinance, resell, or develop with confidence.