What is a copy of title?

A Certificate of Title or a ‘copy of title’ is a formal legal record about a particular piece of land. It contains basic information about the land including the location and dimensions of the land, current ownership and whether any restrictions are registered on the land.

You should include a full copy of the title with your application. This will include a ‘register search statement’ and the title diagram, which together make up the title. In addition, any relevant associated title documents, known as ‘instruments’, should also be provided. For the puroposes of a planning application, this includes the title instruments covenant or Section 173 agreements.

The restrictions registered on the land are identified on the title (‘register search statement’) under the header “Encumbrances, Caveats and Notices”. The ‘instruments’ are the specifics of any encumbrances, caveats and notices.

 Source Fill out the application form by the State of Victoria

Note:

Councils require a recent copy of title – some expect a copy to be less than 1 month old, but most less than 3 months old. Here are instructions on how to get your own copy of title online.