Transactions

• When submitting subsequent transactions that occur regarding a land registered under title (i.e., sales, gifting, mortgages, leases, etc.) for registration, submit them according to the formats specified in Gazette No. 2308/27 dated 01.12.2022.
• Unless an instrument registered under this Act has been registered, no title or interest to that title is acquired. (In accordance with Section 38 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998).
• Matters to be Considered When Preparing / Submitting an Instrument for Registration
  • Submit the Title Certificate along with the instrument.
  • Prepare the instrument on durable white or off-white A4 size paper. If there are any annexures, prepare them on A4 size paper as well.
  • Pay the stamp duty corresponding to the consideration relevant to the title number and attach the original copy of the stamp duty payment receipt to the instrument upon submission.
  • If it is an instrument of sale, gift, transfer, or exchange, prepare it in duplicate and affix a passport-size photograph on one copy.
  • If it is an instrument of sub-division or amalgamation, submit the hard copy of the surveyor's plan along with the instrument.
  • No condition of any kind or life interest can be included with an instrument of sale.
  • No condition other than the transfer of a life interest can be included in an instrument of gift.
  • When making a transfer via a Power of Attorney, the said Power of Attorney must grant the capacity to execute the relevant transaction. Additionally, include a description of the land mentioned in the Title Certificate within the Power of Attorney.
  • When transferring a Title Certificate with co-owners, submit separate title instruments for those respective owners.
  • Along with the instrument for converting into a condominium property, the provisional, semi, or full condominium declaration deed, condominium plan, and all other documents relevant to the conversion into a condominium property must be submitted.
  • Before registering an instrument of sub-division, an instrument of amalgamation, or an instrument converting property into a condominium, cancel all valid agreements to sell.
  • Only in transaction instances where a specific instrument format has not been introduced, a document prepared under a certain Act/law can be submitted as an instrument, and the details of the Title Certificate must be mentioned therein.
  • When drawing and attesting every instrument, Section 44 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998, and all other legal regulations relevant to drawing and attesting must be applied.
  • Pay the registration fees in cash at the Day Book counter.
  • After drawing and attesting the instruments, they must be handed over for registration within seven working days from the date of drawing and attesting.
  • The application form for requesting a new Title Certificate (Ti.Re. 31) must be completed by the landowner or notary and handed over to the Day Book counter.

Office hours

Must be handed over in person between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. Offices are not open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Persons Entitled to Submit Instruments for Registration

• By any person claiming any interest or benefit thereunder;
• By any person having any interest in or charge upon the property affected thereby; or
• By any person drawing and attesting the instrument. (In accordance with Section 40 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998).

(Pursuant to Section 40 of the Registration of Titles Act No. 21 of 1998)

Documents to be submitted for registration

• The instrument formats used for this purpose are mentioned  in the Gazette No.  2308/27 dated 01.12.2022.
• The Title Certificate issued in the name of the owner.
• The relevant instrument prepared and attested by the notary according to the Gazette No. 2308/27 dated 01.12.2022 (If it is an instrument of sale/transfer, gift, or exchange, it must be handed over in duplicate).
• The original copy of the stamp duty payment receipt.
  • Stamp duty must have been paid to the Commissioner of Provincial Revenue for instruments of sale and gift, and to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for instruments of mortgage and lease.
  • Enter the title number in the place where the deed number should be mentioned on the stamp duty payment receipt.
• If it is an instrument related to a transfer, the application form to obtain a new Title Certificate  ( Application Ti.Re. 31 )
• A certified copy of the National Identy Card, Passport, or Driving License of the parties must be submitted.
• Must be handed over to the Registration Counter between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m

Modes of Registering Documents

These services can be obtained under both expedited and normal services.

Expedited Service

Documents that can be registered under the expedited service through Land Registries:

• Instrument of Sale
• Gifts
• Transfer
• Agreements to Sell
• Cancellation of Agreements to Sell
• Instrument of Mortgage
• Address
• Declaration under Section 47 of the Mortgage Act
• Cancellation of Mortgage
• Lease
• Cancellation of Lease
• Priority Notices
• Cancellations of Life Interest
• Irrevocable Government Powers of Attorney

Only the registration fees relevant to the registration of subsequent title transactions must be handed over to the Day Book counter by visiting the Title Registration Office in the area where the land is situated.

The issuance of certified copies of a Title Register is carried out by the 30 Title Registries located island-wide.This service can be obtained by submitting an application to the Title Registration Office relevant to the area where the land is situated and paying the prescribed fee.

Office hours

Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. When submitting instruments for registration, they must be handed over in person between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Offices are not open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Method of Submitting the Request

This service can be obtained by submitting an application to the Land Registry belonging to the area where the land is situated and paying the prescribed fees.

Application

The prescribed printed application must be submitted. The application form number is Ti.Re. 30. The application can be downloaded from the website.( (Application Ti.Re. 30) )

Persons entitled to submit the application

• Owner of the property
• A Notary Public or an authorized representative

If the application is submitted by a representative, a letter of authorization must be submitted.

Fees

Payments must be made by visiting the relevant office.

• Fees must be charged according to the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2308/27.

Inquiries

Inquiries can be made from the relevant Title Registrar. Please refer to the inquiry details.

The issuance of copies of a title instrument is carried out by the 30 Title Registries located island-wide. This service can be obtained by submitting an application to the Title Registration Office where the transaction relevant to the Title Certificate was registered by the respective notary.

Office hours

Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., and requests for obtaining copies must be handed over in person between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Offices are not open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Method of Submitting the Request

This service can be obtained by submitting an application to the Land Registry belonging to the area where the land is situated and paying the prescribed fees.

Application

The prescribed printed application must be submitted. The application form number is Ti.Re. 30. The application can be downloaded from the website. ( Application Ti.Re. 30 )

Persons entitled to submit the application

• Owner of the property
• A Notary Public or an authorized representative

If the application is submitted by a representative, a letter of authorization must be submitted.

Fees

Payment must be made at the relevant office.

• Fees should be charged in accordance with the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2308/27.

Inquiries

Inquiries can be made from the relevant Title Registrar. Please refer to the inquiry details.

• Inspecting the Title Register (extract) related to a land can be done at the Title Registration Office in the area where the land is situated.
• Inspecting a title instrument and obtaining certified copies can be done at the Title Registration Office where the relevant land was registered.

Method of Application

By the owner of the land, a notary, or their authorized representative.

Search application

• The prescribed printed application must be completed and submitted.
• Title Document Inspection Application Form (Ti.Re. 05)
• The application must be signed and sealed by the notary.
• If a representative is submitting the application, a letter of authorization by a notary must be submitted.

Fees

• Payment must be made at the relevant office.
• Fees must be charged according to the Gazette Extraordinary  No. 2308/27 and dated 01.12.2022.