Description
ALTA membership is available to organizations and individuals that participate in or support the title industry. During the application process, applicants are assigned a membership classification based on their relationship with the industry and whether they write title insurance policies. Membership types determine dues calculations, eligibility for certain benefits, and access to products such as the Policy Forms License (PFL).
For organizational memberships, the organization itself is the member. Employees may be added to the organization's account as individual contacts and receive membership benefits through their company's membership. However, these individuals are not considered members independently of the organization unless they maintain a separate individual membership classification.
Exception: Future Title Professional (FTP) memberships are classified as organizational memberships within the database but represent an individual participant. FTP memberships do not allow additional individual contacts to be added to the account.
For additional information about PFL eligibility, licensing requirements, and pricing, see the Policy Forms License (PFL) SOP.
Membership Types
Title Insurance Agent
Organizations whose primary business is issuing title insurance policies and providing title and settlement services.
Characteristics
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Writes title insurance policies.
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Represents the majority of ALTA organizational membership.
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Eligible for a Policy Forms License (PFL).
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Dues are based on sales volume/gross revenue.
Title Insurance Underwriter
Organizations that issue and financially back title insurance policies, assume the risk associated with those policies, and authorize title insurance agents to issue policies on their behalf. Underwriters establish underwriting standards, provide guidance and support to agents, ensure regulatory compliance, and are responsible for resolving and paying covered title insurance claims.
Characteristics
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Assumes the financial risk of title insurance policies.
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Authorizes agents to issue policies on their behalf.
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Establishes underwriting standards and policy guidelines.
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Provides underwriting support and risk management guidance to agents.
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Responsible for handling and paying covered insurance claims.
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Eligible for Policy Forms Library (PFL) access and other underwriter-specific benefits.
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Dues are based on sales volume/gross revenue.
Title Abstracter
Organizations whose primary business is researching, examining, and compiling property title information to support real estate transactions and title insurance issuance.
Characteristics
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Performs title searches, abstracting, title examination, and related research services.
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Investigates public records to identify ownership history, liens, encumbrances, easements, and other title matters.
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Supports title insurance agents, underwriters, lenders, attorneys, and real estate professionals.
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Does not underwrite title insurance policies.
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Not eligible for a Policy Forms License (PFL).
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Uses the same dues calculator as Title Insurance Agents.
Associate (Vendor)
Organizations that provide products, services, technology, data, or professional support to title and settlement companies but do not directly participate in issuing title insurance policies.
Characteristics
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Supports the title industry through software, data, research, compliance, consulting, marketing, signing, recording, or other business services.
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Self-identifies as serving the title industry.
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Does not write title insurance policies.
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Not eligible for a Policy Forms License (PFL).
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Dues are based on sales volume/gross revenue.
Real Estate Attorney
Attorney’s or law firms that offer title insurance services as part of their legal practice.
Characteristics
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May conduct title searches, resolve title issues, and issue title insurance policies.
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Provides legal counsel and representation related to real estate transactions.
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Title insurance services are offered in conjunction with legal services and are not the primary business activity.
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Limited to one individual associated with the organizational account.
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Dues are based on sales volume/gross revenue.
Texas Agent
Title Insurance Agent members participating through ALTA's partnership agreement with the Texas Land Title Association.
Characteristics
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Renews through the Texas Land Title Association.
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Receives ALTA membership through the partnership agreement.
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Pays the Texas Agent membership rate established under the agreement.
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Eligible for a Policy Forms License (PFL).
Texas Associate
Associate members participating through ALTA's partnership agreement with the Texas Land Title Association.
Characteristics
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Renews through the Texas Land Title Association.
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Receives ALTA membership through the partnership agreement.
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Pays the Texas Associate membership rate established under the agreement.
Future Title Professional (FTP)
Individuals interested in learning more about the title industry or pursuing a career in title insurance, settlement services, or related fields.
Characteristics
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Intended for individuals entering or exploring the title industry.
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Provides access to ALTA resources, education, and networking opportunities.
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Classified as an organizational membership in the database.
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Represents a single individual rather than a company.
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Additional contacts cannot be added to the account.
