An ALTA / ACSM Land Survey (American Land Title Association / American Congress on Surveying and Mapping), is commonly required during real estate transactions or development to define a property in detail. Commonly referred to simply as an “ALTA Survey”, it essentially combines a site location survey, a boundary survey, and a topographic survey, and shows all existing improvements of a property, encumbrances and other significant observations.

Effective February 23, 2011, ALTA and ACSM revised the “Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA / ACSM.” This update to the 2005 standards has several key changes that all transacting parties will need to be aware of in order to facilitate an ALTA Survey that meets all parties' expectations at closing.

Significant ALTA Survey Change – Certification Language

One of the most significant changes to the 2011 ALTA Standards concerns the certification. The certification is an acknowledgement by a professional surveyor stating that the survey meets the set of requirements set forth by the 2011 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements. The standards require that the survey shall bear “only” the following certification:

To (name of insured, if known), (name of lender, if known), (name of insurer, if known), (names of others as negotiated with the client):

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James Davenport

Jim Davenport, P.S., is a Professional Surveyor and Director of ALTA Surveys with Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.  With over 30 years in the business, Jim has significant experience managing and coordinating a multitude of land surveys across the nation including ALTA/NSPS, Boundary, Topographic, Flood Elevation and other surveys.  He is adept at understanding each client’s unique needs and tailoring an appropriate survey scope to meet their real estate goals.  Jim regularly offers his thought leadership on how to navigate the land survey process to ensure a successful real estate transaction.