A Certificate of Title is the official ownership of a property and is issued by the Registrar of Titles in NSW.
A Certificate of Title is a copy of the related folio of the Torrens Land Title Register that is issued by Land and Property Information (LPI) to the registered proprietor, mortgagee or chargee. A current edition of a Certificate of Title will normally detail title information including the name/s of the owner/s, the lot/plan numbers and other registered interests on the title such as mortgages, easements and covenants. Source: NSW Government Land and Property information.
If you do not have a mortgage on your property you may have this paper in your possession. When it comes to selling your unmortgaged property you will need to provide the Certificate of Title as proof of your ownership. Without this certificate, you will not be able to sell your property.
Do you know where your Certificate of Title is?
Has it been lost or are its whereabouts are unknown? The application of a replacement can take some time so it is wise to do this early in the selling process so that when you have a buyer your property can settle with ease.
Security features
Since 4th January 2004, there has been the introduction of security features within every certificate issued.
Security features were introduced due to an increase in identity fraud. Due to the availability of scanning and printing technology it has made it very easy for people to fraudulently produce many different types of documents. This includes Certificates of Title.
Certificates of Title produced prior to 4th January 2004 do not include security features. Additional measures need to be taken to verify the identity of people who have possession of a Certificate of Title prior to this date.
The security features include and vary throughout the years since 2004:
- Security trust seal
- Certificate Authentication code
- Fine line pattern
- Two barcodes
- End of certificate noted
- Certificate of Title printed on the side in brown
- Specifications of 120gsm paper
- Watermark
- Sequential numbering
- NSW state emblem
- Microprinting
- Silver seal
- Background printing
If you have any questions about your Certificate of Title please contact Nicola at Select Conveyancing Lane Cove.