A tax balance, mortgage status, court docket, or foreclosure list can change after a researcher views it. A source log should therefore distinguish the record's effective date from the retrieval date. This is not a minor editorial detail: it determines what a reviewer can honestly say the research established.
Two dates, two meanings
| Date | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Effective or “as of” date | The period or moment the source describes |
| Retrieval date | When the researcher accessed the source |
Add the source owner, account or document number, parcel key, URL, and saved document name. If the portal is dynamic, record the displayed status and preserve permitted evidence. If a later search changes the result, do not overwrite the earlier entry; append a new dated observation.
Application to estate contracts
Tie every payment condition, tax adjustment, payoff, and title exception to a date. A current statement may not prove the amount due at closing; an old deed may not show a later release; a court docket snapshot may omit a newly entered order. Date-specific research lets counsel and closing professionals decide what must be refreshed.
Related reading: estate property source logs.
Method and sources
This methods article draws on CFPB servicing guidance and Census data documentation, accessed August 7, 2026. No national statistic is claimed.
FAQ
Is the retrieval date enough by itself?
No. Preserve the effective date or status period too.
Professional disclaimer
Educational research only; not legal, title, tax, or closing advice.