New Zealand · Land titles · October 24, 2026
What Is a Record of Title in NZ, and How to Get One
What a New Zealand Record of Title shows, how it replaced the certificate of title in 2018, how to order one from LINZ for $8, and how to read it.
If you are buying, selling or simply curious about a property in New Zealand, the Record of Title is the document that matters. It is the official record of who owns the land and what rights and restrictions affect it, guaranteed by the state under New Zealand's land transfer (Torrens) system.
Record of Title vs certificate of title
Until 2018, the document was called a certificate of title. The Land Transfer Act 2017 replaced the old 1952 Act, and from 12 November 2018 titles became records of title. Existing titles kept their status but are now displayed as records of title, and "registered proprietor" became "registered owner". You will still hear people say "CT", and older documents use the old name.
What a Record of Title shows
A current Record of Title includes:
- The title identifier, such as a number or a land district reference.
- The legal description, for example Lot 2 Deposited Plan 456789.
- The land area.
- The registered owner or owners, and how they hold it (for example as joint tenants).
- The estate, such as fee simple (freehold), leasehold, unit title or a cross-lease.
- Registered interests, including mortgages, easements, covenants, caveats and notices.
- A diagram of the land, when you order the title with diagram.
How to get one
The public can order titles through LINZ Land Record Search:
- Go to Land Record Search.
- Search by address or title reference.
- Select the correct title and choose "Title with diagram".
- Pay by credit or debit card.
- The PDF is usually emailed within minutes, though LINZ says it can take up to 24 hours.
Fees (LINZ, published October 2026)
| Record | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record of Title, current with diagram | $8 |
| Record of Title, historic | $8 |
| Record of Title, guaranteed search | $8 |
| Cadastral survey plan (title sheet or survey sheet) | $8 |
| Instrument (e.g. an easement, mortgage or covenant document) | $8 |
| Manual search for less common records | $52 |
If you don't know the address or title reference, find the property's legal description first on a council map viewer. See our free NZ property boundaries guide.
How to read it
Owners. Check that the person selling is the registered owner, and note whether there is more than one.
Estate. "Fee simple" is freehold. A cross-lease title gives an undivided share of the land plus a lease of a flat; check the flats plan matches the buildings, because unapproved alterations are a common problem. A unit title gives a unit plus a share of common property, managed by a body corporate.
Interests. Each registered interest has an instrument number. Mortgages are expected; easements (rights of way, drainage, services) and covenants (restrictions on building, use or materials) are the ones to read carefully. Order the instrument ($8) to read the full wording of an easement or covenant.
Historic title. If you want to know earlier owners or how a property was subdivided, order the historic Record of Title.
Guaranteed search. Shows documents recently lodged with LINZ but not yet registered. Lawyers usually order this just before settlement.
Title vs LIM
The Record of Title tells you about legal ownership and registered interests. The council's LIM (Land Information Memorandum) tells you what the council knows: consents, code compliance certificates, hazards, rates and more. Buyers usually get both.
Title vs boundary
The title's diagram shows the shape of the land and refers to the survey plan, but it isn't a substitute for a survey. To mark the boundary on the ground, hire a licensed cadastral surveyor. The survey plan ($8 from LINZ) gives the measured dimensions.
Land still under deeds
LINZ notes that a very small area of New Zealand land is still held under the older deeds system rather than the land transfer system. Deed registers and indexes are now held at Archives New Zealand. If you can't find a title for an old property, this may be why.
Common questions
How much is a Record of Title in NZ? $8 from LINZ Land Record Search, as published in October 2026.
Is a Record of Title the same as a CT? Yes. It replaced the certificate of title on 12 November 2018.
Can anyone order a title? Yes. Titles are public records in New Zealand.
Does the title show the house? No. It describes the land and registered interests. Building consents are in council records and the LIM.
Related guides
- How to see property boundaries in New Zealand for free
- What is Torrens title?
- All New Zealand parcel map pages
Sources
- LINZ: What's on a record of title.
- LINZ: Land record order fees and About Land Record Search.
- Land Transfer Act 2017 (New Zealand), in force from 12 November 2018; see LINZ's What's on a record of title.