color of title

Color of title refers to a document or other instrument that appears to be a legitimate claim of title to a piece of land, but due to a title defect , cannot transfer or convey ownership . In other words, a person has "color of title" to a piece of property when, for one reason or another, the document evidencing title (a deed , for example) is invalid. Color of title is also known as “apparent title” since the document gives off an appearance of a valid title, but in reality, it is defective and invalid.

[Last reviewed in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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