Whether you are buying a property, applying for a bank loan, or settling an inheritance, securing a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) is a non-negotiable step in Philippine real estate transactions.
A CTC is an official reproduction of the original title held by the government, validated by the Land Registration Authority (LRA) or the Register of Deeds (RD). It serves as the primary proof that a property exists, is registered, and is free from (or subject to) specific encumbrances.
Why You Need a Certified True Copy
While a property owner holds the "Owner’s Duplicate Certificate," the RD maintains the "Original Registry Copy." Obtaining a CTC allows you to:
- Verify Ownership: Confirm the seller is the actual registered owner.
- Check for Encumbrances: See if the property is mortgaged, under litigation (lis pendens), or has an existing tax lien.
- Due Diligence: Ensure the technical description (land area and boundaries) matches the physical lot.
Where to Get It
The Philippines has streamlined this process through the LRA’s Anywhere-to-Anywhere (A2A) Service. This means you can request a CTC from any Registry of Deeds branch nationwide, regardless of where the property is located, provided the title has been digitized.
1. The Traditional Way: Walk-in
You can visit the specific Register of Deeds that has jurisdiction over the city or province where the land is located.
2. The Modern Way: LRA e-Serbisyo
For those who prefer to skip the lines, the LRA offers an online portal where you can request the CTC, pay electronically, and have the document delivered to your doorstep.
The Step-by-Step Process (Walk-in)
Step 1: Prepare the Requirements
Generally, you do not need to be the owner to request a CTC, as land titles are public records. However, you must have the following:
- Title Information: You need the Title Number (TCT/CCT/OCT number), the name of the Registered Owner, and the Registry of Deeds location.
- Identification: A valid Government-issued ID.
- Request Form: Available at the RD office.
Step 2: Fill out the Transaction Preliminary Form (TPF)
At the RD, locate the Electronic Registration Service (ERS) kiosk or help desk. Provide the title details. If the title is already in the LRA's digital database, the process is significantly faster.
Step 3: Pay the Fees
Proceed to the cashier. Fees typically include:
- Issuance Fee: Approximately ₱150 to ₱300 per title (varies based on the number of pages).
- Legal Research Fee: ₱10.
- IT Service Fee: (For digitized titles).
Step 4: Claim the Document
For digitized titles, the CTC is often released within the same day or a few working days. If the title is manually issued and not yet in the digital database, the RD may need to locate the physical book, which can take 3 to 7 working days.
Online Request via LRA e-Serbisyo
If you cannot visit an RD office, follow these steps:
- Visit the LRA e-Serbisyo website.
- Create an account and log in.
- Enter the Title Number and the corresponding Registry of Deeds.
- Pay via accredited payment channels (Credit card, GCash, PayMaya, or Landbank).
- Wait for the courier to deliver the document (usually 3–10 business days depending on the location).
Critical Reminders
The "White" vs. "Blue" Title
Historically, titles were printed on physical paper (the "Blue" or "Yellow" copies). Nowadays, the LRA is migrating everyone to e-Titles. If your title is still manual/old, you might be required to undergo "reconstitution" or "administrative conversion" before a CTC can be easily generated.
Check the Annotations
When you receive your CTC, always look at the back pages (Memorandum of Encumbrances). If the page is blank, the title is "clean." If there are entries, read them carefully to ensure there are no active claims or debts attached to the land.