Registration Process
Contents
The general instructions on this website do not guarantee registration
All land title applications undergo a complete examination after they are received. LTSA recommends you consult with a legal professional who can provide advice on compliance with these statutory forms and related matters.
LTSA employees are not permitted to provide legal advice or assist in completing forms. If you choose to submit an application yourself, the land title office registration process for applications received by mail or in person is described below.
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Each time a person buys or sells a property, or updates an interest on title, such as a mortgage, an application must be filed to LTSA to update the land title register. Changes to title are also commonly needed following significant life events such as the death of a spouse, a divorce or marriage.
When an application is filed with LTSA, it is reviewed to meet requirements under the Land Title Act or other statutes. If all legal requirements are met, LTSA then updates the title in the land title register.
Many common applications filed by the public are available as online applications on ltsa.ca. We recommend you fill out the application online and submit it using your BC Services Card app or download and sign the application and deliver by mail or in person. Completing the application online will ensure your application is complete and can go directly for review for legal requirements. Filing online may also result in faster time to registration.
When an Application Arrives at LTSA
- If submitting by mail or in person, an application will be checked for completeness when it arrives at the land title office. If available, we recommend you fill out the application online to ensure your application is complete and can move directly to examination for legal requirements.
- If you mail in an application and it is missing a signature or other required information or it uses correction fluid (wite-out), it will be mailed back to you to fix. This will delay the application. Review your application carefully before mailing it to the land title office.
- Once an application has all the information filled in, it will be assigned a date, time and a pending application number and sent to an Examiner of Title to review for legal requirements.
If There’s a Problem with an Application
- If an application doesn’t meet legal requirements, you will be mailed or emailed a notice explaining the problem.
- The way you will be notified depends on how you submitted your application.
- If you submitted your application online, you will be emailed a link to file a corrective declaration online by logging in with the same BC Services Card used to submit the original application.
- For applications submitted by mail or in-person, you will receive a mailed notice explaining the error and how to fix it. If the application needs to be corrected, we will return the original application to you. Once corrected you can return the application by mail or by appointment at a land title office in New Westminster, Victoria or Kamloops.
- If you filed the application, it is your responsibility to fix the problem within the timeframe requested.
- Return the corrected application promptly and check that you are paying any fees owing.
Successful Registration
- If the application meets all requirements, the change will be registered, and the title is updated. If filed online with the BC Services Card app, you will be notified of your application’s registration by email.
- Turnaround times vary, but typically most land title applications are registered within 10-15 business days. When certain applications are submitted online with the BC Services Card app and the application meets legal requirements, registration will often occur in 2 business days. Applications submitted online are processed 6 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday (excluding system maintenance times).
- If you would like proof of the change on title, you may order a State of Title Certificate for a fee. The State of Title Certificate will be sent to you by mail or email depending on how you submit after your application has been registered and will show the change on title.
- For many applications this can be requested as part of your application. If the application form does not include an option to order a State of Title Certificate you may do so by filling out this form.
- For mail or in-person submissions, include a cheque in Canadian funds for $15.63 payable for each parcel (PID) to: Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia. If you submit online, you can pay by credit card.