If you are planning a fence, an addition, a home sale, or a property purchase, there is a good chance you will need a property line survey. Most homeowners expect the process to start when the survey crew arrives on-site. In reality, the work begins much earlier—with documents.
In Maine, especially in older towns and coastal areas, property records can be complex. When the right paperwork is ready from the start, the survey moves faster and with fewer surprises. On the other hand, missing records often lead to delays, extra research, and confusion.
Why Documents Matter for a Property Line Survey
A property line survey is not just about measuring land. It is about determining where ownership legally begins and ends. To do that correctly, a surveyor must compare what exists on the ground with what is written in public records.
In Maine, many properties rely on deeds written decades ago. Some describe boundaries using stone walls, trees, or landmarks that no longer exist. Because of this, paperwork gives surveyors the legal framework they need before stepping into the field.
When you provide good records upfront, you help the surveyor focus on accuracy instead of chasing missing information.
Your Current Deed Is the Starting Point
Every property line survey begins with your most recent deed. This document defines your legal ownership.
Your deed includes:
- The legal description of your property
- References to previous deeds or recorded plans
- Book and page numbers (or instrument numbers)
Even if you bought your home years ago, the most recent deed still controls the boundary description. Without it, a surveyor cannot confirm what land you legally own.
If you cannot find your deed, it is usually available through the county Registry of Deeds. Many offices now offer online access, which makes retrieval easier.
Recorded Plans Referenced in Your Deed
Many deeds refer to recorded plans, such as subdivision plats or boundary adjustment plans. These plans are just as important as the deed itself.
A recorded plan often shows:
- Lot dimensions
- Monument locations
- Road frontage
- Easements or setbacks
If your deed says something like “as shown on Plan Book ___, Page ___,” that plan becomes part of the legal description. A property line survey cannot be completed correctly without reviewing it.
Homeowners sometimes confuse old sketches or marketing maps with recorded plans. Only plans filed at the Registry of Deeds carry legal weight.
Prior Surveys and Plot Plans Can Be Helpful
If you have a prior survey, plot plan, or mortgage location drawing, it is worth sharing. These documents provide helpful clues, especially when monuments are missing or disturbed.
However, it is important to understand their limits. Older surveys may not meet current standards. Plot plans prepared for mortgages often show approximate boundaries, not exact property lines.
Even so, these documents can point surveyors toward monuments, fences, or past interpretations of the boundary. That context often saves time during fieldwork.
Easement and Right-of-Way Documents
Easements affect many properties, even when homeowners are not aware of them. Common examples include shared driveways, access paths, utility corridors, and shoreline rights.
Easement documents matter because they often cross or follow property lines. A property line survey must show recorded easements accurately, especially if the survey supports a sale or construction project.
If you have paperwork related to shared access or utilities, include it with your survey request. These records help prevent disputes later.
Neighbor and Abutter Information (When Relevant)
In tight neighborhoods or older subdivisions, surveyors often need to understand how adjacent lots were described. This does not mean you need to gather your neighbor’s paperwork. However, if you already have copies of nearby deeds or plans, they can help.
This information becomes especially useful when:
- Lot lines are very close together
- Fences sit near boundaries
- Multiple properties reference the same monument
Providing context about surrounding lots helps surveyors resolve boundary relationships more clearly.
Field Evidence You Can Document Before the Survey
Documents are not limited to paperwork. What exists on the ground also matters.
Before the survey crew arrives, it helps to photograph visible features such as:
- Fences and fence corners
- Stone walls or hedgerows
- Iron pins, rebar, or capped monuments
- Driveway edges near corners
You can also make brief notes about known history. For example, if a fence has existed for decades or if a wall predates your ownership, that information matters.
This type of evidence often plays a role in interpreting older boundaries.
Project-Related Documents (If the Survey Has a Purpose)
If the property line survey supports a specific project, sharing that information helps define the scope.
Examples include:
- Fence layouts
- Additions or garages
- Property sales or refinances
These documents clarify what the survey needs to show. While they do not change ownership boundaries, they help ensure the final plan meets your needs.
Where to Find Missing Documents
If you do not have everything, that is common. Many homeowners still succeed with partial records.
Good places to check include:
- County Registry of Deeds
- Closing attorney or title company
- Mortgage or refinance paperwork
- Town office or code enforcement files
- Previous engineers, septic designers, or surveyors
Providing even a portion of these records helps the surveyor build a clearer picture.
What Happens If Some Documents Are Missing
Surveyors can often locate records on their own. However, missing documents usually mean more research time.
When you share what you have, you reduce guesswork. As a result, the surveyor can focus on resolving boundaries rather than searching for basic information.
Final Thoughts
A property line survey starts with records, not measurements. Deeds, plans, easements, and field evidence all work together to define ownership accurately.
By gathering the right documents early, you help protect your property rights and avoid unnecessary delays. More importantly, you support a clear, defensible boundary that holds up over time.
When it comes to property lines, good paperwork makes all the difference.
