What Is a NSW Title Search?
A NSW title search gives you an official, up-to-date copy of the certificate of title for any property in New South Wales. Title Check runs your NSW property title search online, drawing the record straight from NSW Land Registry Services (NSW LRS), the state's official land registry.
New South Wales has used the Torrens title system since 1863, where the register itself is the proof of ownership. A land title search in NSW confirms the registered proprietor and reveals any registered interests, such as mortgages, caveats, easements and covenants, recorded against the property.
NSW Property Title Search Online
Find Your Certificate of Title Through Address
Enter any NSW property address to run your title search online.
You'll receive the current certificate of title, including ownership and title details, delivered to your inbox.
Search by Title Reference Number
Already have the folio identifier (title reference)? Switch the search type to "Title Reference" and enter it for a precise NSW title search.
How NSW Properties Are Identified
In New South Wales, each parcel of land is identified by a folio identifier on the Torrens Title Register. This is built from the lot number, the section number where one applies, and the plan number, separated by a slash. For example, Lot 1 in Deposited Plan 2345678 is written as 1/2345678. Strata units carry their own strata plan reference.
This folio identifier is the title reference you use to pull an exact NSW land title search. When you order a title search with Title Check, you can search by:
- The property address
- The title reference (folio identifier)
- The lot and plan
- The unit number, for a strata property
If you already have the title reference, you can run a precise search straight away. If not, a NSW land title search by address will return the details you need.
NSW Has Moved to a Fully Electronic Title Register
New South Wales now runs an entirely electronic land titles system. Since October 2021, paper Certificates of Title are no longer issued, and the Torrens Title Register is the single source of truth for who owns a property and what is registered against it. The register is maintained by NSW Land Registry Services, and the ownership it records is guaranteed by the NSW Government.
In practice, this means the most accurate and up to date way to confirm ownership of a NSW property is a current title search of the register. A NSW land title search returns the current folio, showing the registered owner and any interests recorded against the land, delivered to you electronically within minutes.
A NSW Property Title Search Gives You
- The current owner's full name.
- The volume, folio, or title reference number.
- The survey plan number and type.
- Any mortgages or other restrictions on the property.
- If there are any caveats against the title.
- Any dealings not yet registered.
Why You Need a Land Title Search
- See who owns the property.
- Find out if there's a mortgage on the title.
- Helpful for homebuyers and investors.
- Important for real estate transactions.
- Needed for planning application submissions.
Search by Owner's Name in NSW
Don't have the address? You can run a reverse title search in New South Wales by the owner's name or a company name to find the property or properties linked to them. It's a useful tool for due diligence, confirming ownership before a purchase, or locating a title when all you have is a name. You'll need to create an account, and the search returns the current owner and title reference details.
When Should You Do a NSW Land Title Search?
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A NSW land title search is useful at almost any stage of owning, buying or researching property. People commonly order a property title search when they are:
- Buying a home or investment property and want to confirm the owner before committing
- Selling and need current title information for the contract and conveyancing
- Checking for registered mortgages, caveats, easements or covenants
- Subdividing land or lodging a new deposited plan
- Buying into a strata scheme and reviewing the strata plan
- Settling a deceased estate and confirming ownership
- Researching a property as part of due diligence
In each case, a NSW title search gives you reliable ownership information and a clear view of anything registered against the land.
Which Australian States and Territories Do We Serve?
We have complete access to the following land title registries:
Land Title Searches Across New South Wales
Title Check can retrieve a land title search for any property in New South Wales, from across Greater Sydney to the regions. Whether the property is in the Sydney metropolitan area, Newcastle and the Hunter, the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Illawarra, the Blue Mountains, or regional centres such as Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth or Coffs Harbour, a NSW land title search draws on the same official register and is delivered straight to your inbox.
Wherever the property sits in the state, you only need an address or a title reference to get started.
FAQ
In 2017, the NSW Land and Property Information Services (LPI) made the decision to provide brokers and resellers with its title and plan information for the purpose of selling it on to customers. The change means that all online purchases of property information are available only through the approved information brokers.
The NSW Land Registry Service has a list of approved information brokers who can provide you with land title Searches in NSW and other information that you require. It's worthwhile making an inquiry with a broker to ensure all your titling needs are met.
The Torrens Title Register came into effect in 1863 and is the largest public title register in NSW. Under this system, people acquire a proprietary interest in a parcel of land only when it is registered. As well as being the most secure and efficient system of land ownership, the Torrens system means that a purchaser's right to land is guaranteed upon registration.
The register is constantly updated to accommodate the latest transaction and ownership details. It also provides other information on current ownership and lists all registered encumbrances such as mortgages and leases.
The first land registry in NSW was The General Register of Deeds established in 1825. This land registry contains common law or 'old system' deeds for land transactions. Items from this registry are now accessed electronically under the Automated Deed Indexing System (ADIS); all items from November 1992 are held in Integrated Titling Systems (ITS).
Before you make any purchases, conducting a land title search of the property you’re looking at is imperative. Regardless of which private agency you choose, it’s important that you make sure all details and necessary paperwork are in order. With these recent changes, obtaining real-estate documents, land title search NSW and property information is easier than ever; these items can all be sourced and purchased online using providers such as Land Registry.
A title search provides current information including ownership details, registered encumbrances such as mortgages, leases and covenants, title reference numbers, survey plan number and type, as well as any caveats lodged.
- Search by Street Address – Enter a street address on the input screen to see verified suggestions based on your input.
- Search by Title Reference – A Title Reference is a unique 8-digit identifier for a title.
- Search by Lot/ Plan – enter the Lot, Plan Type, and Plan Number to generate a list of any associated title references.
- Search by Owner Name – use a wildcard ‘%’ when searching for an exact company name or surname. This will generate a list of title references with owner names
- Search by the Previous Title – Searching for a canceled title will produce a free list of new title references for that parcel for land
- Search by Plan – enter the Plan Type and Plan Number for a free list of all titles associated with the plan entered.
The cost will depend on your broker and the specific details of your request. Generally, the Information broker purchases the required information from the NSW LPI based on your specific request. The broker then sells the requested information to you, the customer.
It's important to note that not all information brokers offer the same products, for example, they may only offer one product and not others.
By conducting a title search, you can gain the following information:
- Registered Owner’s details and prior dealings
- Easements, Encumbrances and Interests (registered)
- Unregistered interests and dealings
- Estate and Land description, ownership type etc.
- Whether a Certificate of Title has been issued or not
The title search will also show the Title Status of the land. Below is a list of terms which may appear when conducting a title search:
- Fully Cancelled - the title has been superseded
- Common Property – meaning common property of Building Unit Plan (BUP) or Group Title Plan (GTP)
- Plan Unregistered - the plan has been lodged but not yet registered
- Comatose - the title is to a parcel of land over which a BUP/ GTP was registered
- Indefeasible - it is created when the particulars in the land are recorded in the freehold land register (results are not expected)
NSW Land Titles are based on survey plans which define the boundaries of a parcel of land at the date of its registration. Essentially, it is the legal identity of the land.
A plan is prepared, lodged, and registered with the NSW Land Registry Service when a new parcel of land is created or when an existing parcel is to be used for a specialized purpose.
The main plan types include:
- Deposited Plans – typically for subdivision purposes
- Strata Plans – shows subdivision and allows for multiple occupants and separate ownership of individual units
- Community Plans – shows development of planned communities and for purpose of shared land
- Sewer diagrams - a sewer service diagram shows the private wastewater pipes on a property.
The NSW Land Registry Service carefully examines a prospective plan to ensure its legal boundaries have been established and actually reflect the boundaries on the ground. This process ensures existing parties’ interests are safeguarded.
The relevant piece of land takes the lot and plan number as its new title. From this point, the land must be identified in all subsequent land transactions by the given number (referred to as its folio number)
A Notice of Registration will be issued to the lodging agent and surveyor after the plan has been successfully lodged.
The parchment/ public copy of new titles or new editions of existing titles will be issued to the party who produced the title.
Titles and property deeds are two different legal ideas.
At the land registration of each state or territory, all original property deeds are preserved. These days, land registries only provide an electronic copy of the title certificate—also referred to as a land title search. A title is a formal manner of claiming ownership of an object. When it comes to real estate, the title denotes ownership, which gives you the authority to utilize the property.
Land information can be found in titles and property certificates, which are typically utilized for conveyancing or other types of research. By ensuring that you are the legitimate owner of your property, a property title check also gives you peace of mind
A title search for any property can be conducted by anybody paying the required amount.
