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Search Assist™

Your day, simplified.

Every commercial real estate transaction is unique, and so are the searches needed to close them. Search Assist makes your day easier by managing searches with municipalities, regions and other authorities in Ontario on your behalf. Focus on other aspects of the transaction, while staying in control through the entire process.

Place a new search order request

Open the form and bookmark it for your future orders.

Simple and efficient

Acting as your personal assistant, we give you back valuable time so you can focus on other important aspects of the transaction.

An end-to-end solution

Easily order all your searches at the same time. We manage the requests and follow-ups, and deliver the results to you.

Extensive directory

Our large search authority database contains up-to-date contact information and fees. This allows us to send out all your search requests quickly and hassle free.

 

Try Search Assist for free!

We'll waive the $25 service fee per search on your first order.*

 

An end-to-end solution

FCT uses the information provided in the search response to begin underwriting your title insurance policies—no need to place a separate order to title insure the transaction. Here’s how it works:

Order: You place a search order. Request: We request searches and follow ups. Response: Search response received and delivered to you. Transfer: Search file passed to underwriting who contacts youer. Underwrite: We underwrite the title insurance policy. Issue: We issue the policy with an itemized invoice (search and premium)

Customer reviews

Here's what customers have to say:

“I find using your off-title search service is a great time saver for me. I know that the searches are being followed up on.” – Linda, Law Clerk
“I can’t find any better way of searching. We would rather pay for this service than spend time researching. We could spend this time doing one more deal instead.” – John, Law Clerk
“It’s a lot easier for me just to click off the searches that I need and submit it and not have to follow up because I know you are doing it right.” – Jennifer, Law Clerk
“In some respects it is like an administrative assistant. FCT orders searches for me, then tracks and sends them to me. It has been a big help.” – Cathy, Law Clerk

Search AssistTM FAQ

Why a Search Assist service?

Over the years, FCT has had many discussions with Firms about their work on Commercial Real Estate deals. We consistently heard that the number one “pain point” is conducting the numerous searches involved in a commercial real estate transaction. Completing searches is time consuming and takes away from other tasks required to service clients.


The goal of FCT’s Search Assist is to make the commercial real estate lawyer and law clerk’s lives easier by taking the frustrating parts out of completing searches, while ensuring firms maintain control of the process and management of commercial files. Using an online order form, firms request the searches they want FCT to conduct and we take care of the rest: ordering searches and following up with municipalities and authorities to ensure we keep your search delivery timeline. Throughout the process, FCT will keep clerks and lawyers informed of the status of the searches.

What are the benefits of using FCT’s Search Assist?

FCT’s Search Assist is a centralized solution designed to help manage the searches required in a commercial real estate transaction.

  • Saves time - FCT manages the search requests and follows up on results so lawyers/law clerks can focus on 
    other important aspects of the transaction.
  • Makes the job easier - FCT takes on all the administrative work related to submitting and following up. 
    requests. Customers choose how often they want to receive updates and search results.
  • Easy to use - Firms decide which searches they want FCT to conduct through a single, online order form.


With practical, hands-on experience, FCT’s Search Assist team ensures each request is actioned promptly and follow ups are tracked systematically.

What searches can I request?

Customers can select from a comprehensive list of Property and Corporate searches from the online order form. The full list includes searches related to title insurance, but there are also options for searches that are not specifically related to title insurance including PPSA searches, Bank Act, Bankruptcy & Insolvency and various searches conducted against corporate entities.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us to learn more about Search Assist™ and how FCT can help you.

Email us

Search Assist is available in Ontario only.

*Offer valid on first-time orders. Waived fee does not include disbursements, government fees and taxes.

 

The search results are provided “as is” and “as available” and First Canadian Title Company Limited makes no guarantees, warranties, representations or conditions, express or implied, including with respect to merchantability, quality, or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the FCT Search Assist services. All risk as to the results and performance of FCT Search Assist is assumed by the law/notary firm requesting the services. FCT’s service level obligations include using commercially reasonable efforts to follow up with governmental authorities starting at 5 business days before the requisition due date with additional follow-ups occurring until all responses are received. FCT is not responsible for searches not received prior to the requisition date or the closing date. Services by First Canadian Title Company Limited. The services company does not provide insurance products. Some products/services may vary by province. Prices and products/services offered are subject to change without notice.

 

® Registered Trademark of First American Financial Corporation.