From the vendor's perspective, I would ask for fee approval simply as a matter of good customer service.  But I still would expect to be compensated for a search that covers that long a period of time.  From a liability standpoint, a lot can happen in forty years, regardless of how "easy" a search is perceived to be.

Now let me put this out there:  Customer orders a CO requiring a good stop at an arm's-length, out-of-family deed.  Examiner does the work, gathers all the info and determines that the OOF deed is one deed back to the 60s.  Examiner calls customer to advise of the extra fee involved and is told to cancel the search.  Is the examiner justified in charging a cancellation fee in this instance?

I only bring this up because I've had this happen to me on more than one occasion.  (And yes, I've opted to eat the fee).

Regards,
Scott Perry