What is a limitation of an unknown owner in tax title search?

The limitation of an unknown owner in a tax title search primarily relates to the difficulty in identifying and ascertaining ownership interests. When an owner's identity is unknown, it is challenging to determine the exact rights and interests that may exist regarding the property. Tax title searches rely on public records to trace ownership and any potential claims against those properties. However, in cases where the ownership is not documented, or the owner's identity is obscured, there might not be a clear record to ascertain any interests that could be legitimate. This limitation can complicate the process of establishing a clear title and can lead to potential legal complications or disputes in the future.

In contrast, if ownership can be easily traced or if interests are ascertainable, it suggests that there are clear records and documentation supporting those claims, which is not the case with an unknown owner scenario. Therefore, recognizing that the interest is not ascertainable helps highlight the challenges faced in property management and tax collections related to unknown ownership.