An abstract of title—also known as a title examination, examination of title, title abstract, or title abstraction—is the legal history or chronology of a certain piece of real property. For example, an abstract of title includes a history of all the property’s owners, the period during which each owner held the title to the property, and all liens and encumbrances that affect title to the property.

An abstract of title is usually prepared for a mortgagee (bank or lender) or a purchaser of the property and is sometimes used to market the property to a potential buyer. An abstract of title is generally designed to identify and eliminate any clouds (claims) on the title. In contrast, a title report is merely used to facilitate the purchase of title insurance and is sometimes not as complete or reliable as an abstract of title.

In Illinois, an abstract of title is a document that summarizes the legal history of a piece of real estate. It includes a comprehensive list of previous owners, the duration of their ownership, and any liens or encumbrances that may affect the property's title. The purpose of an abstract of title is to provide a clear picture of the property's title history, ensuring that there are no 'clouds', or claims, that could jeopardize a clear transfer of title to a new owner. This document is particularly important for parties involved in a real estate transaction, such as a mortgagee (bank or lender) or a purchaser, and can also be used to market the property. Illinois law requires that any defects or clouds on title be resolved before a property can be transferred, and an abstract of title is a key tool in identifying such issues. It is more detailed and historically comprehensive than a title report, which is often used for the purpose of obtaining title insurance and may not provide as complete a history of the property's title.