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Phasing out paper certificates of title is the next step in our journey to a digital Register of land and future-ready Victoria.

The Victorian Register of land

The Register of land is the official record for ownership of land in Victoria.

The Register is made up of individual digital records called folios. For each folio there is a certificate of title, which may be paper or electronic.

The Registrar of Titles is responsible for the Register under legislation called the Transfer of Land Act 1958. Read more on the Victorian Register of land.

Benefits of electronic certificates of title

Electronic certificates of title support a faster, simpler and more secure, fully electronic conveyancing process.

Most land transactions are now electronic and are lodged by banks, conveyancers or lawyers using electronic lodgment networks. The registration process is completed in a matter of minutes for most property transactions.

When you next deal with your land, your conveyancer or lawyer will be able to conduct your transaction in an electronic way and ensure the process is reliable and quick.

Electronic certificates of title reduce environmental impacts. This includes printing, paper and transportation for 150,000 new paper certificates of title issued on average each year in Victoria.

Phasing out paper certificates of title is part of a coordinated national effort to streamline electronic conveyancing for everyone involved the process.

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and ACT have all stopped producing paper certificates of title over the last few years.

What is changing?

From 3 August 2024, all new Victorian certificates of title from the Register of land will be electronic.

What do I need to do?

Land and property owners do not need to do anything.

In Victoria more than 65% of certificate of titles are already electronic.

An electronic certificate of title may have been created when your land was last transacted. This may be managed by your bank if you have a mortgage, by your conveyancer or lawyer or be held by the Victorian Registrar of Titles. Read more on modernising the Register.

Existing paper certificates of title will remain valid until they are next required for a conveyancing transaction.

If you have an existing paper certificate of title you can continue to keep it in a safe location for example at home, with your accountant, bank, conveyancer, lawyer until you need it.

Land transactions can be complex. Whether you are buying, selling or dealing with land in another capacity, we highly recommend that you consult an Australian Legal Practitioner or Licensed Conveyancer.

Common questions and answers

If you have a mortgage:

  • There will most likely be an electronic certificate of title that is managed by the mortgagee, such as a bank.
  • The mortgagee will manage the certificate of title until you discharge your mortgage.

If you do not have a mortgage, a certificate of title may be held in a number of ways including:

  • Paper certificate of title in your possession, for example in a safe at home
  • Paper certificate of title with your accountant, bank, conveyancer or lawyer
  • Electronic certificate of title that is managed by your bank, conveyancer, lawyer or held by the Registrar of Titles.

From 3 August 2024, all new Victorian certificates of title will be electronic.

If you wish to mortgage or sell your property, please speak to your bank, conveyancer or lawyer and they will explain what will happen.

Lost paper certificates of title can cause significant difficulties for owners and delay settlement.

If you lose or damage an existing paper certificate of title you will need to apply to the Victorian Land Registry for a replacement.

From 3 August 2024, an electronic certificate of title will be created as the replacement.

We highly recommend that you consult an Australian Legal Practitioner or Licensed Conveyancer.

A paper certificate of title that has been cancelled by a stamp, perforation or other means to mark it as invalid, can no longer be used to support a transaction with your land.

It is most likely that a current electronic certificate of title for your land already exists. Conducting an online title search of the Register will allow you to see the most up-to-date record for your land.

We highly recommend that you consult an Australian Legal Practitioner or Licensed Conveyancer.

Conducting an online title search of the Register will allow you to see the most up-to-date record for your land. If the certificate of title is electronic, the record will also show who currently manages the certificate of title.

We highly recommend that you consult an Australian Legal Practitioner or Licensed Conveyancer for help.

Factsheet

Download common questions as a factsheet:

Find out more

If you would like to conduct a title search, please contact LANDATA or authorised information brokers.

If you have further questions, please complete the contact form provided by SERV (Secure Electronic Registries Victoria).

Read more on the Land.Vic website:

Page last updated: 19/08/24