Complete User Guide in Getting Certified True Copy of Title using LRA eSerbisyo Portal

To avoid being duped by fraudulent land sales and phony land titles, it's essential when purchasing real estate in the Philippines to check the title and make sure there aren't any restrictions or legal claims against the property. For the most part, you are looking for a property with a clear title.

To trust the seller's assertion regarding the land's specific condition may be easier if you know the seller like if he or she is a friend or family. What are your odds of avoiding fraud, however, if you don't know who the owner of the company really is?

What is a land title?

A land title is proof of the owner's right or the extent of his or her interest in the property, and it is the mechanism by which the owner may retain control and generally establish the right to exclusive possession and enjoyment of the property. It is the sole legal document that confirms a person owns the land—not the deed of sale or one's tax statements, however thorough.

Anyone who is familiar with the selling process for real estate is well aware of how time-consuming and costly it can be to complete a deal. In order to comprehend how to transfer a property title, one must first grasp the significance of such a document.

Importance of getting a land title

As a future owner of the property, your rights may be affected if you are not aware of any possible concerns with the land. Landowners often worry about the following things:

- An adverse claim or a circumstance in which a third party asserts an interest in a registered plot of property that is in conflict with the owner's.

- It's called "lis pendens" when a lawsuit is pending against the property.

- When the land is used as collateral for a loan, this is referred to as a "mortgage annotation."

- A leasing agreement exists, or the seller has rented the property to a third party.

- Restrictions from National Housing Authority (NHA) such as not being permitted to transfer ownership of the property to anybody else one's immediate family member without permission from them.

- It's also possible that the property is subject to various liens and encumbrances, such as when it is connected or subjected to an easement or right of way among other things.

Requirements in checking a land title

In order to do a land title search, you need to have the following information at hand:

• Address of the property

• A photocopy of the title 

• Name of the registered owner

• Register of Deeds in which the title was issued

• Title number

It is common practice for sellers to provide you with a copy of the Owner's Duplicate Title when they sell you a plot of land or other property. Having a photocopy on hand is preferable than not having the original on hand at all times. In this case, it is easy to check since you already have the aforementioned information.

How to check land titles using the Land Registration Authority (LRA) eSerbisyo Portal

Depending on your objective and the information you presently possess, there are a variety of techniques to verify ownership of property. The LRA's eSerbisyo Web Portal, on the other hand, provides the fastest and most convenient means of doing so.

Requests for CTC of land titles may be made online using the eSerbisyo web-based tool. No matter the time or wherever you are, you may request the CTC of the Original Certificate of Title (OTC), the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or the Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT).

Your CTC may be requested, paid for and the status can be checked without you having to leave your house. Delivery of the CTC will also be made to wherever are located in the Philippines.

In order for you to use the portal, you must need to sign up first for a user account and prepare the following information:

• Registry Deeds where the title is registered

• Title type whether OCT, TCT, or CCT

• Title number

Total Fees of getting a CTC inclusive of IT Service fees and Network Transmission Fees

The cost is determined by the number of pages you need to print. Below are the total fees for acquiring a CTC online:

Two (2) Pages: Php 644.97

Three (3) Pages: Php 683.16

Four (4) Pages: Php 721.35

*Additional fee per page: Php 38.19

Meanwhile, here is the step-by-step process for requesting CTC through LRA’s eSerbisyo Web Portal:

Step 1. Register a user account.

Click Register to go to the eSerbisyo online page and register a user account. Once you arrive at the user registration page, enter the necessary information into the red border and follow the instructions.

Step 2. Log in to LRA's eSerbisyo Portal.

Log in to LRA eSerbisyo Portal using your username and password and click on the Request for Certified True Copy button.

Step 3. Request for Certified True Copy.

You'll be sent to the Request for Certified True Copy page where you can submit a request for a certified true copy. There will be a display of your requester's name and shipping address. If your delivery destination is somewhere else, you may change the shipping address. Add a title to the document by clicking the Add Title button. After that, a pop-up window will ask for your information. Make sure to enter the correct details.

Step 4. Submit your request.

A pop-up box will advise you to contact your local Registry of Deeds or phone the number given for help if your title number entered does not exist in the LRA database. Otherwise, a summary of your request and the total costs will be presented in a table. Once you are sure about all the details of your request, click Submit.

Step 5. Make the necessary payment.

Upon clicking "Submit," you'll be presented with an option to proceed with the transaction. Click "Yes". It's your choice whether to pay now or at a later time. To make an urgent payment, click Make Payment and choose Landbank from the drop-down menu that appears. You will subsequently be sent to the Landbank ePayment system. Follow the on-screen instructions after entering your account information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you choose to pay using online banking, you will be charged a convenience fee of PhP 10.00 in addition to your total payment amount.

Step 6. Delivery of CTC of Title.

The CTC of the title will be sent to the postal address you provided as payment is completed. You should get it within 3-5 working days after payment, or 5-7 working days in other cities or provinces outside of Metro Manila. On the other hand, you'll have to wait an extra 5-7 business days for manually issued titles.

There is no additional payment for shipping to any location in the Philippines since it is already included in the fees charged.

FAQs in using LRA eSerbisyo Portal

What are the benefits of using LRA eSerbisyo Portal?

You won't have to deal with the annoyance of lengthy lines and travel-related issues like parking and traffic if you apply for your CTC over the Internet. There will be no need for several Registry of Deeds visits as you will be able to trace the progress of your request from payment through to delivery. Your desired CTC will be brought to your home, no matter where you are in the Philippines.

Is there a way for me to track the progress of my request?

You may see the current status of your request by logging into your eSerbisyo Portal account and clicking on the "Transaction Status" under the "My Request" Tab. You can also reach them through email at [email protected].

What if the title I requested for the Certified True Copy is incorrect? Can I acquire the proper Certified True Copy without paying any extra fees?

No. Requests for changes, replacements, and cancellations are no longer permitted once payment has been made. Before making a payment, please verify that all of the necessary information has been input correctly.

I'd want to submit a CTC request, however my title is still a manually-issued title (one with a red border) rather than a cTitle (blue-bordered title). Please tell me how I can make this cTitle.

It's possible to convert your manually-issued title to a cTitle via the LRA's Title Upgrade Program (TUP). You may go to the Registry of Deeds where your manually-issued title is situated, fill up the relevant paperwork, and pay the applicable charge. You can also visit their website for more information about this and other innovative services offered by the Land Registration Authority of the Philippines.

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Purchasing a home is really a complicated process especially if you are just a first-time homebuyer. In order to avoid scam and put your money to waste, it is better to invest in a brand new house and lot from a trusted and known developer-- like Lumina Homes.

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