Stewart Title is a title insurance company that handles escrow and closing services for real estate transactions
Stewart Title Guaranty Company is one of the largest title insurance providers in the United States. When you buy or refinance a home, Stewart Title may be the company that holds your money and documents during closing — the period between when you sign the purchase agreement and when you officially own the property. They issue title insurance policies, which protect you and your lender if someone later claims they have a legal right to the property you just bought.
You typically do not choose Stewart Title yourself. Your real estate agent, lender, or seller's agent usually selects the title company. If Stewart Title is assigned to your transaction, you will receive paperwork telling you which local Stewart Title office will handle your closing. That office becomes your main point of contact for questions about your down payment, inspections, and final walkthrough.
Stewart Title operates through local offices in most states. The specific services and timelines vary slightly by state and by whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing, but the core job is the same: hold funds safely, verify the seller actually owns the property, and make sure no liens or claims are hiding in the property's history.
Key Takeaways
- Stewart Title holds your down payment and closing costs in escrow and coordinates the final transfer of ownership and funds on closing day.
- They search the property's legal history to confirm the seller owns it free and clear, or that any existing liens will be paid off at closing.
- You do not usually pick Stewart Title — your real estate agent, lender, or the seller's side selects the title company for your transaction.
- Title insurance issued by Stewart Title protects you if someone later claims a legal right to the property, though it does not cover problems you knew about before closing.
- Your local Stewart Title office is where you deposit earnest money, receive closing documents, and sign final paperwork before the deed transfers.
How Stewart Title holds your money during escrow
When you make an offer on a home, you typically send earnest money — usually 1 to 3 percent of the purchase price — to show the seller you are serious. This money goes into a Stewart Title escrow account, not to the seller or agent. Stewart Title holds it in a trust account separate from their operating funds, which means it is protected if the title company has financial trouble.
Your down payment and closing costs also go into escrow once you are under contract. Stewart Title receives these funds a day or two before closing and holds them until the final deed transfer happens. On closing day, Stewart Title releases the money to the seller, pays off any existing mortgages or liens, and transfers the deed to you. If the deal falls through before closing, Stewart Title returns your money according to the terms of your purchase agreement.
You will receive an accounting of all funds — called a Closing Disclosure or HUD-1 statement, depending on your loan type — a few days before closing. This document shows exactly where your money is going: how much to the seller, how much to the lender, how much for property taxes and insurance, and how much Stewart Title is charging for their services. Review this carefully and ask your Stewart Title closing agent about any line item you do not recognize.
Title search and the insurance policy Stewart Title provides
Before closing, Stewart Title searches the public records for the property — deeds, mortgages, tax liens, judgments, and any other claims that might affect ownership. This search uncovers whether the seller actually owns the property free and clear, or whether there are liens that must be paid off at closing. If a previous owner's ex-spouse has a claim, or if property taxes are owed, the title search usually finds it.
If the search turns up a problem, Stewart Title notifies you and your lender. Some issues are resolved before closing (the seller pays off an old mortgage, for example). Others are handled through title insurance — Stewart Title issues a policy that protects you and your lender against future claims based on problems that existed before you bought but were not discovered.
Title insurance is a one-time premium, usually paid at closing. It covers you for as long as you own the property. It does not cover problems you knew about before closing, and it does not cover issues that arise after closing (like a neighbor's boundary dispute that starts next year). But it does protect you if, for example, a previous owner's creditor surfaces five years later claiming a lien on the property.
What happens at your Stewart Title closing appointment
Your closing appointment is usually scheduled for a few days before or after the seller's closing, depending on whether you are buying or refinancing. You will go to your local Stewart Title office (or sometimes a title company branch, attorney's office, or lender's office) to sign the final documents. Bring a government-issued photo ID and ask in advance whether you need to bring anything else — some transactions require proof of homeowners insurance or a cashier's check for your down payment.
At closing, a Stewart Title closing agent will walk you through each document. The main ones are the Promissory Note (your promise to repay the loan), the Deed of Trust or Mortgage (the lender's security interest in the property), and the Deed (the document that transfers ownership to you). You will also sign the Closing Disclosure, which confirms the loan terms and final costs. Take your time reading, and ask questions about anything unclear.
After you sign, Stewart Title records the deed with the county and funds the transaction. The seller receives their proceeds, your lender receives their security interest, and you receive the keys and the title to your new property. Stewart Title will mail you a copy of the recorded deed and your title insurance policy within a few weeks.
Stewart Title's role in refinances
If you are refinancing your mortgage with a new lender, Stewart Title may handle the closing even though you are not buying a new property. The process is similar: they hold the new loan funds, pay off your old mortgage, and issue a new title insurance policy (called a reissue policy, which costs less than a full policy because the title was recently searched).
In a refinance, you do not need a new title search if the property was recently purchased and insured. Stewart Title can issue a reissue policy based on the previous search, which saves time and money. However, if there has been a significant gap since the last title policy, or if you are switching lenders, a new search may be required.
Common questions about Stewart Title's fees and services
Stewart Title's closing costs vary by state and by transaction type. Title insurance premiums are set by state regulators, so all title companies in your state charge the same rate. However, Stewart Title may charge different fees for services like document preparation, recording, or wire transfer. Ask for an estimate of all fees upfront, and compare it to quotes from other title companies if you have a choice.
In most states, the buyer pays for the owner's title insurance policy, and the seller pays for the lender's policy (though this varies by local custom and can be negotiated). Closing costs typically range from 0.5 to 1 percent of the purchase price, but this includes more than just Stewart Title's fees — it also covers appraisals, inspections, and lender fees.
If you have questions about a specific charge on your Closing Disclosure, contact your Stewart Title closing agent or your real estate agent. Do not wait until closing day to ask — the more time you give Stewart Title to explain or correct an error, the smoother your closing will be.
What to do if a problem comes up before or after closing
If the title search uncovers a lien, judgment, or other claim, Stewart Title will notify you in writing. Do not panic — most issues are resolved before closing. Work with your real estate agent and lender to understand what the problem is and how it will be fixed. Stewart Title can explain whether the seller must pay it off, whether it will be covered by title insurance, or whether you need to negotiate a price reduction.
After closing, if someone contacts you claiming a legal right to the property, notify your title insurance company when ready. Do not ignore the claim or try to resolve it on your own. Your title insurance policy covers the cost of defending against the claim, and Stewart Title (or their title insurance underwriter) will handle it. Keep copies of all closing documents and your title insurance policy in a safe place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose Stewart Title, or is it assigned to me?
In most transactions, the seller's agent or your lender selects the title company. You can sometimes request a different title company, but the other party may not agree. If you have a strong preference, discuss it with your real estate agent early in the process.
What if Stewart Title finds a problem with the title?
Most problems are resolved before closing — the seller pays off a lien, a previous owner's name is corrected in the records, or a claim is cleared. If something cannot be resolved, title insurance covers you against future claims based on that problem. Your lender will not close until the title is clear or insured.
Do I get my earnest money back if the deal falls through?
It depends on why the deal fell through. If you back out without a valid reason, the seller usually keeps it. If the seller backs out, or if a contingency (like a home inspection or appraisal) fails, you get it back. Stewart Title releases the money according to your purchase agreement and written instructions from both parties.
How long does Stewart Title keep my closing documents?
Stewart Title typically keeps closing files for several years, but you should keep your own copies permanently. Request copies of everything at closing, and store them with your deed and title insurance policy. You may need them if you refinance, sell, or have a dispute later.
What is the difference between Stewart Title's owner's policy and the lender's policy?
The owner's policy protects you; the lender's policy protects the lender. Both are issued at closing and cover the same title problems. The owner's policy stays in force as long as you own the property. The lender's policy is only in force while you have the mortgage.