What type of document must not be used as a final survey document?

A preliminary document is typically used to convey early findings or proposals before finalization. Such documents are generally not intended to be conclusive and often lack the precision, accuracy, and thoroughness required for a final survey. Final survey documents, on the other hand, must present a complete, detailed, and officially acceptable representation of the surveyed property, including all relevant measurements, boundaries, and legal descriptions. This ensures compliance with local regulations and allows for enforcement of property rights.

In contrast, recorded documents, official reports, and legal descriptions are intended to be detailed and can serve as conclusive records. Recorded documents are filed with governmental agencies to formalize the details of the survey, official reports summarize the findings of the survey in a manner that is authoritative, and legal descriptions provide the essential information needed for any legal transactions regarding the land. Each of these serves a specific purpose in the realm of land surveying and can stand as final documents when performed correctly.