Please note: Copies of property titles can be ordered at any time – there is no urgency to do this. The removal of Duplicate Titles on 7 August does not require property owners to take any action to prove they own their property. Find out more information about Duplicate Certificates of Title here and information on historical title searches by visiting our FAQS.
Historical title searches can be completed using our online form. Historical title searches are a service that is only offered at our Midland office and is not offered at our Perth City office. Find more information on historical title searches by visiting our FAQs.
On 7 August 2023, Duplicate Titles (i.e. paper copies) were removed from the land conveyancing process in Western Australia due to legislative amendments to the Transfer of Land Act 1893.
This will bring Western Australia into line with most other states in Australia.
A small portion of property owners are currently under the impression they are required to order a paper copy of their property’s historical Certificate of Title to ensure the security of their property ownership.
This is not accurate. Please be sure to review the following information before making an unnecessary purchase.
What does the change to Duplicate Titles mean for how I prove my property ownership?
· The Original Certificate of Title for every property in Western Australia remains unchanged. Your title is still your title. There is no change to property ownership or registered interests and encumbrances.
· A Record of Certificate of Title is a copy of the current information on the original Title. You can order a Record of Certificate of Title Search as your proof of ownership. You can do this via the Order a Certificate of Title page on Landgate’s website.
· From 7 August 2023, Duplicate Titles will no longer be issued or able to be used.
· If you have a Duplicate Title, it will no longer be a legal document.
· You do not need to take any action to prove you own your property.
Why is no action required from me?
The Original Certificate of Title remains unchanged. Your title is still your title. There is no change to property ownership or registered interests and encumbrances. A Record of Certificate of Title is a copy of the current information on the original Title. You can order a Record of Certificate of Title Search as your proof of ownership.
You can retain your Duplicate Title as a historical keepsake if you wish to but it will have no legal application after 7 August 2023.
Where do I learn more about why these changes are happening?
Detailed information and resources about this legislative change (including FAQs, a fact sheet and video) is available on Landgate’s changes to the WA Transfer of Land Act web page.
I have heard I need a historical original title as part of this change?
That is false.
A historical record of your property’s Certificate of Title (or the Parent Titles your current title is subdivided from) does not prove current ownership of your property.
It will only provide you with a record of historical transactions and historical ownership of the property during the time that record was active. This can be anywhere from a couple of days to one hundred years. This is what is known as the chain of title.
99% of all titles on the Register are in a digital format. The current digital original Title is updated each time a document (such as a transfer, mortgage or subdivision) is registered against the title for the land, so that only the most recent and relevant information is provided. Purchase of the record of the digital title provides a true and correct reflection of the current ownership status of the land and anything affecting a person’s ownership such as a mortgage as at the date and time the record of the certificate of title is issued by Landgate.
Historical titles can be searched and purchased at any time. There is no urgency to do this.
It is only the original, current, and digitally secured copy of your Certificate of Title which provides the complete legal evidence of your property’s ownership in Western Australia.
This is already securely held by Landgate within WA’s official Land Title Register.
Looking for your property's historical title?
For those curious about the history of their property’s ownership, you can learn more about why you might undertake a historical search via Landgate’s Historical records page.
If you still wish to purchase a copy of a Historical Certificate of Title from another point in time, please submit a Historical search request form to Landgate Customer Service including your contact details, and as much detail on the property or properties in question.
The most efficient way to to submit this form is via email to:
customerservice@landgate.wa.gov.au
However, if you’d prefer to make this purchase in person, visit Landgate’s Midland Customer Service location at 1 Midland Square (as our Perth location cannot provide this service) and please be aware that you will be subject to the same waiting times as an emailed request.
Please also note:
- Historical searches will be charged at $134 per hour - pro rata (not subject to GST). This does not include product costs that are provided at the statutory fee per record.
- The length of time to complete your search will depend on its complexity.
- You will be provided with an estimate of the search cost within 10 working days of your request.
- If you are requesting a certified copy of a historical title, this will incur a further 20 working days and applicable fees.