landregisters

A land register is an official government record that documents who owns land and which rights and encumbrances affect that land. Each entry is linked to a specific parcel and typically includes the parcel’s legal description, a cadastral or parcel identifier, the registered owner or owners, and information about interests such as mortgages, liens, easements, leases, restrictions, and rights of way, as well as surface, mineral, or other special rights.

The primary purposes of a land register are to provide certainty of ownership, to give public notice of who holds an interest in a property, and to facilitate conveyancing, financing, and land administration. Registries also help identify competing claims and serve as the evidentiary record in legal proceedings related to property.

Organization and systems vary by jurisdiction. Some countries maintain a centralized land registry with a single official title or register, sometimes using a Torrens title system in which indefeasible title is guaranteed by the state. Others use a deeds registration regime, where ownership is conveyed by deeds and not guaranteed by the register. Most registries also maintain a cadastral map or parcel plan showing boundaries and area, though the map and the register may be separate in some systems.

Access to land records is generally public, enabling due diligence by buyers, lenders, and researchers, though some information may be restricted for privacy or security reasons. Digital modernization has led to online search portals, digital title documents, e-conveyancing, and integrated land information systems in many jurisdictions.