How to Check Land Registry

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1Searching the Land Registry Online

2Registering Your Land or Property

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The land registry system is used by countries all over the world that use the Torrens title system. This system, which originated in Australia, provides an efficient way to publish the ownership of a parcel of land or property contained on that land. The government guarantees the title to any property included on the registry of land. Countries that use this system include the UK, British Commonwealth countries, India, Iran, and Singapore. In most of these countries, you can quickly and easily check the land registry online.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Searching the Land Registry Online

1. 
   1
   Gather information about the record you want to look up. Generally, you'll need the address of the property to look it up on the land registry. You may also need additional information about the location of the property, such as cross-roads, natural landmarks, or natural boundaries (including streams or rivers).

   • Some land registries may require additional details about the location or require you to specify the year for the record you want.
2. 
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   Locate the appropriate land registry website. In some countries, such as the UK, the land registry is national. In others, such as India, the land registry is maintained by individual states within the country.

   • Typically, a simple internet search will lead you to the correct website. Look at the page carefully and make sure it's an official government site. Most government sites have a ".gov" URL, but this might not always be the case.
   • For example, if you wanted to check the land registry online in Punjab, India, you would go to http://jamabandi.punjab.gov.in/.

   Tip: You usually can't check the land registry for a specific name. You need details about the location of the property, rather than the owner.
3. 
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   Enter your information to retrieve the title register. On the land registry website, type the address for the property that you want to look up. Provide any additional information the site requires. Provided the address is correct and matches the registry record, you'll get the title register for the property.

   • If your search doesn't return any results, the property may have been registered under a different address. Find out if the address for the property has changed. You may also be able to use a map to search for the property based on its general location.
4. 
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   Read through the title register you find. The full title register provides extensive information about the ownership of the piece of property you looked up. Information you can potentially learn about the property from the title register includes:

   • The title number
   • The name of the owner of the property
   • The purchase price of the property
   • Any rights of way or other encumbrances held by others
   • Information about any mortgage on the property
   • Whether the property is freehold or leasehold

   Tip: If someone else has a right of way on the property, that means they are able to access the property or cross over it for specified uses.
5. 
   5
   Download or order official copies. Typically, once you've found the title register you want, you can simply print it off the internet. You may also be able to download a PDF copy. You may have to pay a small fee to download a PDF. Check your land registry website for more information.

   • If you want to order a certified copy of the title register for your records, the website will have instructions on how to do that. You can usually place your order online. Expect to pay an additional fee for a certified copy.

   Tip: You may not be able to use a land registry title that you printed off the internet as official proof of land ownership, for example, in a court of law.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Registering Your Land or Property

1. 
   1
   Find out if the land you purchased is registered. When you buy real estate, check the land registry where the property is located to see if it's already registered under the name of the owner you bought it from. If it is, they typically need to fill out a form to transfer the title to you.

   • If the property isn't registered already, proceed with a first-time registration. The process may be slightly more complex than if you were simply transferring the title register from one owner to another.

   Tip: Check to see if the property is registered before you purchase it. If it's not, you might be able to request that the current owners register the property before completing the sale.
2. 
   2
   Request a title search of previous owners. If you purchased a property that wasn't registered, you must prove that you are the owner of the property through a title search. Typically, the government conducts this search, although you may be able to use a private title search agency.

   • Each government has its own laws regarding how far back in history you have to go. For example, in the UK, your title search has to go back to 1925.
   • The title search reveals the owners of the land from a specified historic date to the present, not necessarily the buildings or structures on the land.
3. 
   3
   Hire a lawyer or surveyor if necessary. In some countries, you need a lawyer to complete the purchase of land. You may also need a surveyor, who confirms the boundaries of the property. If no survey has been done recently, you'll likely need to hire a surveyor to complete one. Include the survey with your application to register the land.

   • If you've hired a lawyer to complete your purchase of the land, they'll likely be able to tell you if you need a survey done or not.
   • You might be able to bargain with the current owner to have them pay for all or part of the surveyor's fees.
4. 
   4
   Complete an application for registration. The land registry where your property is located will have an application you'll need to fill out to register your ownership of the property. The application requires details about your purchase of the land, including the amount you purchased it for and information about any mortgage you have on the property.

   • Typically, you can download the application from the land registry's website and fill it out. Some land registries may require you to come to the land registry office in person to pick up an application.
   • There may be a deadline for you to register the property after you complete your purchase, so get started on the application as soon as possible. The land registry website has information about any deadlines that apply to registration, or you can call the land registry office and ask.
5. 
   5
   Gather documents related to your property purchase. The land registry office requires official documents to back up most of the information you provided on your application for registration. While the specific documents you'll need depend on the land registry office you use and the circumstances of your transaction, typical documents you'll need include:

   • A certificate or receipt for payment of the stamp duty or other tax
   • A plan or survey of the property
   • A certified copy of the lease, if the property is a leasehold
   • All title deeds and other documents relating to past or present ownership of the property
6. 
   6
   Submit your application and documents to the registry office. Typically, you'll need to take your application and original documents to the registry office in person. The registrar will make copies of your documents and give the originals back to you.

   • Call ahead and find out if you need to make an appointment to register your property. Even if an appointment isn't required, it still might cut down on your wait time.
   • Expect to pay a fee to register your property. It's a good idea to call ahead and find out how much the registration fees are and what methods of payment are accepted. This information might also be on the land registry's website.

   Tip: Make sure you have a valid, government-issued photo ID with you when you register your property. The registrar will typically want to verify your identity before processing your application.

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