What action must a property owner take to ensure full legal protection of their property title?

To ensure full legal protection of their property title, a property owner must record the deed. Recording the deed is a crucial step in the process of legally establishing ownership because it provides public notice of the transaction and protects the owner's rights against any future claims. By recording the deed with the appropriate government office, typically the county recorder or clerk's office, the property owner establishes a public record of their ownership, which is vital in resolving potentially competing claims to the property.

While conducting a title search and obtaining title insurance are important actions associated with property ownership, they serve different purposes. A title search identifies any potential issues or claims against the title but does not protect the title in and of itself. Title insurance offers financial protection against losses from defects in title that were not discovered during the title search. However, unless the deed is recorded, the title insurance may not be effective if another party claims ownership. Thus, recording the deed is the foundational step for ensuring full legal protection of the property title.