Land records research

(a) Land Records Research shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) an examination of the record descriptions of the property being surveyed; (2) an examination of the record descriptions of the adjoining parcels; (3) an examination of record surveys and subdivision maps of the land being surveyed and of adjoining parcels; (4) an examination of tax assessor's plats and records; (5) an examination of pertinent easements and other documents; and (6) an examination of Probate Court records, when applicable. (b) All surveys presenting the surveyor's property/boundary opinion, except Resurveys, shall include a record search of the surveyed property's chain of title, with deeds going back not less than 40 years. Resurveys, except for Independent Resurveys, shall include a record search of the surveyed property's chain of title with deeds going back at least as old as the date of the survey relied upon. (c) The 40-year minimum requirement is not to be construed as a flat period of time to search a title. To determine the original intended boundary locations, most surveys require research well beyond the statutory 40-year period. (d) Identifying the owner of the property on the survey shall not constitute a certification as to the absolute ownership of the property. It shall however, indicate a record name or names in which the property stood at the time of the survey, without stating other interests which may pertain to the ownership of the property.