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Location Certificate

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LOCATION CERTIFICATE

Certificate Identification

Parties

Client Name:

Certifier Name:

Location Details

Recitals

WHEREAS, Client Name: has requested a certified location determination for the property described above; and

WHEREAS, Certifier Name: is duly qualified and authorized to inspect and certify location and related site conditions in accordance with the terms set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

Scope of Work

The Certifier shall perform a site inspection and prepare a written location certificate describing the exact on-site location, boundary references, visible encroachments (if any), and the Certifier's conclusions regarding the alignment of improvements relative to recorded property lines. The scope shall include, at minimum, the actions and deliverables described below.

Payment Terms

Client shall pay Certifier the fees and reimbursements set forth below in consideration for performance of the Scope of Work. Payment obligations are unconditional except as expressly provided in this Location Certificate.

Term and Termination

This Location Certificate shall commence on the Start Date set forth below and shall terminate on the End Date below unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure within the notice period specified above. Termination shall not relieve either party of liabilities accrued prior to termination, including accrued payment obligations.

Confidentiality

The parties acknowledge that certain information exchanged in connection with this Certificate may be confidential. Each party shall maintain as confidential and shall not disclose to any third party without prior written consent any non-public information designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential, except as required by law. Confidential information does not include information that is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party or that was rightfully in the receiving party's possession prior to disclosure.

Findings and Deliverables

Deliverables shall include a signed Location Certificate, site sketches or plan sheets memorializing measured points, and a concise statement of conclusions. Certifier will identify any observed encroachments, discrepancies with recorded lines, and any conditions that materially affect the location determination.

Site plan or sketch    Photographs    Survey / plat    Other

Governing Law

This Location Certificate and any dispute arising under or relating to it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified below, without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

Entire Agreement

This Location Certificate, including all attachments and referenced exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the certification of location for the Property and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, warranties, proposals, and agreements, whether written or oral. No modification or waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

Certifier's Statement

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge and professional judgment, the foregoing description and the attached deliverables accurately reflect the on-site location inspection performed by me or under my direct supervision, and that the conclusions set forth in this Location Certificate are true and correct as of the Date of Issue.

Certifier:    Title:

License / Registration:    Company:

Signatures

Certifier Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Location Certificate Is and when it matters

A Location Certificate is a concise survey-level document prepared by a licensed surveyor that shows the position of a building or improvement relative to property lines, easements, and setback requirements. Lenders, title companies, and local permitting authorities commonly request a Location Certificate to confirm there are no encroachments or violations that would affect title, insurance, or closing. It is distinct from a full ALTA/NSPS survey: a Location Certificate is typically faster and less expensive but sufficient only for specific transactional checks.

Why a Location Certificate is useful for transactions

A Location Certificate reduces closing risk by documenting building placement, easements, and visible encroachments. It helps lenders and title insurers assess risk quickly, supports permit applications, and can prevent delays or additional survey costs during real estate closings.

Why a Location Certificate is useful for transactions

Who typically requests or completes a Location Certificate

The Location Certificate serves several stakeholders in a real estate transaction; roles vary by use and jurisdiction.

  • Title companies and examiners who need a compact form of evidence for underwriting and clearing title exceptions.
  • Lenders and mortgage underwriters requesting verification of improvements before funding a loan.
  • Property owners or real estate agents obtaining compliance evidence for permits, sales, or lease closings.

Each party relies on the certificate for different outcomes—title clearance, loan approval, or municipal permitting—so content and timing should match the recipient's requirements.

Who prepares and who signs the certificate

Licensed Surveyor

A licensed land surveyor completes and certifies the Location Certificate. The surveyor signs, dates, and typically places a professional seal; their certification attests to the survey methods and observable conditions at the time of inspection.

Title or Lender Representative

A title officer, closing agent, or lender representative reviews the certificate for underwriting or closing. They may request clarifications, additional exhibits, or an expanded ALTA survey if the Location Certificate does not meet their standards.

Essential information included on a Location Certificate

Property Address: Full street address and ZIP code
Legal Description: Short or long legal description from deed
Surveyor Name: Licensed surveyor and firm name
Survey Date: Date the site was inspected
Certification Statement: Surveyor's signed attestation
Sketch & Scale: Simple drawing with scale noted

Risks if the Location Certificate is incorrect or incomplete

Title Delay: Closings postponed; lender conditions unmet
Loan Denial: Underwriters may decline funding
Boundary Dispute: Potential legal claims by neighbors
Insurance Exception: Title insurance may exclude coverage
Additional Costs: Need for ALTA survey or remediation
Liability Exposure: Surveyor or seller risk of claims

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Using an outdated legal description or address that does not match the deed records, which causes discrepancies during title review and recording.
  • Failing to identify visible encroachments, easements, or utility lines on the sketch, leading to underwriting exceptions or permit denials.
  • Omitting the surveyor's signature, seal, or date; missing credentials can render the certificate unacceptable to lenders and title insurers.
  • Submitting a Location Certificate when an ALTA/NSPS survey is required by contract or lender guidelines, resulting in last-minute survey orders and delays.

Step-by-step: completing a Location Certificate

Follow these steps to prepare a clear, lender- and title-ready Location Certificate that minimizes review issues.

  • 01
    Order the survey: Engage a licensed surveyor and provide deed and title info
  • 02
    Provide documents: Share deed, plat, and any title exceptions with the surveyor
  • 03
    Review draft: Check sketch, measurements, and certification language carefully
  • 04
    Finalize and deliver: Surveyor signs, seals, and sends PDF to recipients

How the Location Certificate is created and routed

A straightforward workflow moves a Location Certificate from survey to closing; follow these stages for predictable timing.

  • Prepare order: Client provides deed and title comments to surveyor
  • Field inspection: Surveyor visits site and measures improvements
  • Document drafting: Surveyor produces certificate PDF and sketch
  • Delivery: Certificate is delivered to title, lender, and client

Typical digital workflow settings for Location Certificates

Configure workflows to ensure documents move quickly to the right recipients and retain an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Document Format PDF with embedded survey sketch
Signer Order Surveyor first, then title/lender reviewers
Authentication Email token or SMS code for recipients
Retention Secure archive with audit log

Digital delivery, signing, and file formats

Use platforms that preserve PDF fidelity, provide audit trails, and support secure sharing for title and lender review.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX accepted
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage links supported
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger methods

Ensure the chosen platform produces a tamper-evident PDF, retains a certificate of completion, and meets any regulatory or contractual requirements for your transaction.

Typical timing and processing expectations

Plan ahead for realistic lead times; survey scheduling and review cycles affect closing dates.

Order Lead Time:

Allow 7–14 business days for a standard Location Certificate

Title Review:

Title company review typically takes 2–5 business days

Lender Submission:

Provide certificate at least 5 business days before funding

Correction Turnaround:

Expect 3–7 business days for revisions

Notarization Window:

If required, schedule notarization within document validity period

Key milestones from order to record

Track these sequential milestones to avoid closing delays and last-minute survey requests.

01

Order Placement

Client provides deed and title exception details to surveyor

02

Field Survey

Surveyor visits property and records measurements

03

Certificate Issued

Surveyor finalizes certificate, signs, and seals the document

04

Delivery & Review

Certificate delivered to title and lender for approval

How a Location Certificate compares to other survey types

Choose the right survey type based on transaction needs—speed and cost versus detail and insurer requirements.

Criteria Location Certificate ALTA/NSPS Survey Boundary Survey
Typical Use lender quick check title & commercial closings property line disputes
Detail Level moderate high high
Cost lower higher mid
Turnaround 7–14 days 2–6 weeks 1–3 weeks

eSignature vendor pricing and feature snapshot for signing Location Certificates

Platform pricing and core features vary; signNow is listed first for direct comparison of starting price, bulk send, and compliance options.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Trial available Trial available Trial available Trial available
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-world examples of Location Certificate use

Examples show how different organizations rely on Location Certificates to meet title, lender, and permit requirements.

Residential Refinance

A homeowner ordered a Location Certificate for lender clearance

  • The survey confirmed no encroachments
  • The lender accepted the certificate, avoiding an ALTA survey and saving time and cost during closing.

Municipal Permit

A contractor submitted a Location Certificate with a permit application

  • The municipality verified setbacks quickly
  • The permit was issued without requiring a full boundary retracement, speeding project start.

Best practices to ensure an acceptable Location Certificate

Following these practices reduces the chance of rework and speeds lender and title acceptance.

Confirm recipient needs
Ask the lender or title company in writing whether a Location Certificate is sufficient or if an ALTA survey is required.
Provide deed details early
Supply the recorded deed, parcel number, and any recent title exceptions to the surveyor before fieldwork.
Require surveyor credentials
Ensure the surveyor includes license number, firm, seal, signature, and date on the certificate.
Use secure delivery
Deliver the final PDF via secure eSignature or document exchange for auditability and tamper evidence.

Frequently asked questions about Location Certificates

Answers to common questions about validity, e-signing, notarization, and how to correct errors when preparing a Location Certificate.


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