What is a legal description?

A legal description is what is recorded at the county courthouse, and is unique for each property. It can be in one of two different formats: a "metes-and-bounds" description, or a "lot-and-block" description.

The "metes-and-bounds" description describes the size (either in square feet or acres) of the property, a surveyors description of the property boundaries using bearings and distances, and the abstract and survey the property is in. These can be quite long, sometimes taking many pages to fully describe the property.

The "lot-and-block" description is simply the lot, block and subdivision name.

To find your legal description, look in your deed or title papers, or in your tax records.