A seller’s photocopy of a land or condominium title is a starting point, not the end of due diligence. A buyer should obtain a current certified true copy from the land-registration system and compare it with the seller’s documents before signing a binding deed or releasing substantial funds.

Use the LRA’s official channel

The Land Registration Authority’s eSerbisyo portal allows online requests for certified true copies of titles. Its user guide explains the request process. The LRA also notes that title copies may be obtained through appropriate Registry of Deeds services. Confirm the correct title number and registry before ordering.

Once received, compare the registered owner, technical description, location, lot or condominium-unit details, and annotations with the deed and other transaction papers. Annotations may reflect mortgages, liens, adverse claims or restrictions that need separate legal analysis. A clean-looking photocopy or a seller’s assurance should not replace review of the current official record.

A title check is one part of diligence

Verify the seller’s identity and authority, property taxes, possession, boundaries and any condominium or subdivision rules relevant to the intended use. A certified copy establishes what the registry shows at the time of issuance; it does not answer every factual or legal question about the property. If a title has changed recently, consider whether further verification is needed before closing.

Our property and real estate practice can review title documents and transaction terms. Contact Cedeño Law Office before you commit to a purchase.

General information only. This article is not a title opinion or assurance that a property is free of defects.