Why there are no paper certificates of title anymore

In NSW, paper Certificates of Title stopped being part of the land title system from 11 October 2021, when NSW moved to fully electronic conveyancing and lodgement.

What a certificate of title was meant to show

A large portion of land in NSW is held under the Torrens title system. For Torrens title land, the register records ownership and the interests affecting the land. NSW Land Registry Services notes that Torrens titles contain a record of interests such as ownership, mortgages, leases and easements.

In practical terms, a paper Certificate of Title was used like a printed snapshot of the register entry. It became a practical part of conveyancing because it was physically handled and often held by a lender while a mortgage was in place.

What changed in NSW in October 2021

The NSW Registrar General declared 11 October 2021 as cessation day for Certificates of Title. From that date, all Certificates of Title have no legal effect and the Registrar General no longer issues them. This was done by order under section 33AAA of the Real Property Act 1900, alongside reforms supporting 100 percent electronic lodgement.

From the same date, paper dealings are no longer accepted for lodgement. Land dealings must be lodged electronically by a subscriber through an Electronic Lodgment Network Operator, such as PEXA or Sympli.

What replaces the paper title today

Your ownership sits in the Torrens Title Register, not in a piece of paper. The Registrar General states that the Torrens Title Register has always been, and will continue to be, the single source of truth for ownership and interests in land, and it is securely stored and backed up.

After a dealing is registered, landowners receive an Information Notice confirming what was registered and the registration date. The Registrar General notes an Information Notice is not a definitive statement of the register and that a title search is required to obtain the most accurate and up to date title information.

If you need to confirm the current legal position of a property, the usual step is to obtain an official title search extract from NSW Land Registry Services. NSW LRS also provides free index searches to help find title and address identifiers, with more comprehensive information available through its services and authorised information brokers.

Why NSW moved away from paper titles

The reforms were designed to support a fully electronic conveyancing environment. The paper certificate no longer acts as a gatekeeper. Instead, electronic lodgement occurs in a controlled workspace and the system relies on professional subscribers, who must verify client identity and establish the client’s right to deal with the land before lodgement.

Common questions we hear from property owners

I paid off my mortgage so where is my title

From 11 October 2021, people who discharge a mortgage will not receive a Certificate of Title as was traditionally the case. The title remains recorded on the Torrens Title Register and the transaction results in an Information Notice.

I bought without a mortgage so what should I keep

Cash buyers also do not receive a Certificate of Title, which the Registrar General lists as one of the direct changes for landowners. Keep your contract and settlement documents, plus any Information Notices. When you need certainty about what is currently on title, order a current title search extract.

I still have a paper certificate of title

You do not need it to sell, refinance, or lodge a dealing. Existing certificates cannot be required to be produced for registration and they no longer have legal effect. You can keep it for your records, but it is not proof of what is currently registered.

Practical tips to stay organised

Keep a simple property file with your contract for sale, settlement statement, and any Information Notices. If you need to confirm ownership, check for a mortgage discharge, or understand an easement or restriction, ask your conveyancer or solicitor to obtain and interpret a current title search.

If you want extra visibility, NSW LRS offers property alert products that can notify you of record changes or certain search activity on selected titles or properties.

Speak with our conveyancing team

If you are buying, selling, refinancing, or dealing with a mortgage discharge in NSW and you are unsure what documents you should have, we can help. We will obtain the right title searches, explain what is registered on the property, and manage the electronic conveyancing process through to settlement. Contact our team to book a consultation before you sign a contract or commit to a settlement date.

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