How to do a Land Title search in the Philippines?

When buying or selling a property in the Philippines, one of the most important steps is to conduct a land title search. This process helps ensure that the property you are interested in has a clean title and is free from any legal issues.

What is a land title search?

A land title search is a process of verifying the ownership of a property and checking if there are any liens, encumbrances, or legal issues that may affect the transfer of ownership. This is done by checking the public records of the Registry of Deeds where the property is located.

Steps to do a land title search in the Philippines

Step 1: Prepare the necessary information

Before you can start your land title search, you need to gather some important information about the property. This includes the property's lot number, block number, and street address. You should also have the owner's complete name and the title number.

Step 2: Visit the Registry of Deeds

Once you have the necessary information, you can visit the Registry of Deeds where the property is located. This is where all the public records of land titles are kept. You can also check the website of the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to see if they have an online database of land titles.

Step 3: Request for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the title

Once you are at the Registry of Deeds, you can request for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the title. This is a legal document that proves the ownership of the property. You will need to pay a fee for this document.

Step 4: Check the title for any annotations

After you have obtained the CTC of the title, you should check it for any annotations. Annotations are notes or remarks that may affect the transfer of ownership of the property. Some common annotations include mortgages, liens, and encumbrances.

Step 5: Verify the authenticity of the title

It is important to verify the authenticity of the title to make sure that it is not fake or fraudulent. You can do this by checking the security features of the title, such as the embossed seal, watermark, and serial number. You can also check with the LRA if the title is valid.

Step 6: Check for any pending cases or legal issues

Before finalizing the sale or purchase of the property, you should check for any pending cases or legal issues that may affect the transfer of ownership. You can do this by checking with the local courts and government agencies.

Conclusion

Doing a land title search is an important step when buying or selling a property in the Philippines. It helps ensure that the property has a clean title and is free from any legal issues. By following these steps, you can conduct a thorough land title search and avoid any potential problems in the future.