Which document outlines the legal ownership of a property?

The deed is the key document that outlines the legal ownership of a property. It serves as the official record that transfers title from one individual or entity to another and includes vital information about the property, such as its legal description and the names of the parties involved in the transfer. When a deed is recorded with the appropriate government office, it creates a public record that establishes who has legal rights to the property, thus providing security and clarity around property ownership.

In contrast, property tax records are primarily used to track property taxes due and assess the value of a property for taxation purposes, but they do not serve to show ownership. An elevation plan is a drawing representing the vertical features of a building, while a construction agreement outlines the terms and conditions for construction services; neither of these documents pertains to the legal title of property ownership.