You get a certificate of purchase in exchange for your money.You get a public trustees deed 17 business days later, assuming none of the junior liens redeem.

I don't carry my birth certificate with me when I travel, and when I travel within the U.S., I don't carry my passport.If I were to be stopped in AZ, they could throw me in jail because I couldn't produce my birth certificate or passport.That seems a bit unconstitutional to me...

If you're concerned the economy in the US is headed for a complete meltdown, then stock up on water, food and ammo.I don't think anyone would care about precious metals, stock certificates, real estate, or stacks of cash - what they will care about is food, water, shelter and protection.A few bottles of water and cans of food would be powerful bartering items.

Also the foreclosure process can be fast or very long depending on if the state has judicial or non-judicial foreclosure or both and any pre and post redemption rights for the borrower.You could look into tax liens or certificates for yearly yield and be hands off.

I found out one of them is in a flood zone and I don't buy if it requires flood insurance.In an earlier post you mentioned financing this purchase; most lenders will require flood zone certification before underwriting the loan, and if in the flood zone they will require flood insurance.As to whether something is a good deal or not, we can only say that the numbers make this worth taking a deeper look.  

(All teachers are required to take a certification course on child abuse).

Why are they not required to learn about real estate investing as part of their certification.

They are as official as they are the paper you issue the shareholder certificate on.

Is there special certifications you will need  to be a land lord?

We made a full price offer on one then found it had problems with the status certificate.