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Each year in BC the Land Title Offices process approximately one million land title applications, submitted primarily by lawyers and notaries acting on behalf of clients. The land title registration process at the LTSA follows the steps below:

1. The application is received at the Land Title Office, or via the secure Electronic Filing System (EFS). The application is date-stamped, document numbers are assigned and required fees are collected. Pending applications are noted on the appropriate title. Applications and accompanying documents and plans that are received in hard copy format are scanned and entered into the LTSA's Automated Land Title Office System (ALTOS).

2. Land Title Office staff examine the applications, documents and plans to ensure they comply with all legal requirements.

• If all the documentation is in order, the registration is completed and recorded with the application number, effective on the date and time the application was submitted.
• If the documents are not found to be acceptable for registration a formal notice is sent to the lawyer, notary or land surveyor that submitted the application, outlining the defect and what is needed to meet the legal requirements for registration.

3. The turnaround time target for examining land title registration transactions is six business days.

To learn more please see our brochure, Creating Confidence by Delivering a Secure Land Title System in BC.

Using Real Estate Professionals

Members of the public should contact a lawyer, notary, land surveyor, or a registry agent, as appropriate, to provide land title registration or title search services. Land Title Office staff are experts in land title registration matters, but they are not legal professionals. They cannot:

• Provide legal advice on real estate transaction issues
• Complete application forms for land title registration
• Conduct historical, genealogical or other research into land title records

Title Searches & Obtaining Copies of Land Title Documents and Survey Plans

• See our information on accessing records

Common Questions Not Applicable to the LTSA

• The LTSA receives numerous inquiries at our Land Title Office front counters and over the phone about matters that do not come under our purview. To better assist customers, here is a list of common questions and topics and the appropriate reference.