Sold Your Home but Lost the Paperwork? 9 Ways To Recover Your Docs

Richard Montgomery on Mar 25, 2025

Dear Monty: I sold my condo at 127 Wildberry Drive in Atlanta[ML1] to someone named Sherry Smith several years ago and misplaced my old paperwork. I want to find the paperwork for the closing statement. How should I go about this?

Monty's Answer: If you've misplaced the closing paperwork from your condo sale, you can take several practical steps to recover this information. (Please note: I created fictitious information to protect the writer's identity.) Here's how to proceed:

No. 1: Contact the title company.

The title company that handled your closing should have records of the transaction. Call them directly and provide:

-- The property address (127 Wildberry Drive, Atlanta)

-- Your name as the seller

-- The buyer's name (Sherry Smith)

-- Approximate date of sale

Title companies typically maintain these records for many years and can often provide copies of your closing documents for a small fee.

No. 2: Check with[ML2] your real estate agent.

If you worked with an agent to sell your condo, contact them. Real estate agents often keep transaction records for several years. They may have digital copies of your closing statements or can direct you to the title company that handled your closing.

No. 3: Reach out to the buyer.

Since you know who the buyer was, consider contacting her if other options don't work. She would have received the same closing paperwork and might have better records.

No. 4: Use county records.

Visit or contact the Fulton County Board of Assessors. While they won't have your complete closing package, they will have the recorded deed showing the transfer of ownership. This data can help establish the exact date and some transaction details. Visit their website or call them at (404) 612-6440.

No. 5: Ask your mortgage lender.

Contact your former mortgage company if you had a mortgage paid off through this sale. They would have received funds from the closing and might have records related to the transaction.

No. 6: Check your email.

Search your email accounts for communications from your agent, title company or lender around the time of the sale. You might have received digital copies of documents.

No. 7: Find your tax records.

Your tax returns from the year of the sale might contain information about the transaction, mainly if you reported capital gains or losses from the sale. Review your tax records or contact your tax preparer if you used one.

No. 8: View your online banking records.

Check the transaction history to see if you can access the bank account where you deposited the proceeds from your condo sale. This action can help establish the exact date of the closing.

No. 9: Contact the Georgia Department of Revenue.

If you filed a state tax return reporting the sale, the Georgia Department of Revenue might have records to help establish when the transaction occurred.

When making these inquiries, be prepared to verify your identity. Most organizations will require proof that you're entitled to access these records. A driver's license, social security number or other government-issued ID may be necessary. Remember that some of these services might charge fees for retrieving archived documents. Ask about any potential costs before requesting copies. Start with the title company and your agent, as these are typically the most direct routes to recovering your closing documents.

Richard Montgomery is a syndicated columnist, published author, retired real estate executive, serial entrepreneur and the founder of DearMonty.com and PropBox, Inc. He provides consumers with options to real estate issues. Follow him on Twitter (X) @montgomRM or DearMonty.com.

----

[ML1]Atlanta stands alone, so you don't need the state. If it's a super recognizable city, search the AP Stylebook to see if it stands alone in datelines. If it does, you don't need the state in the body, either.

----