Deeds

Deeds were the main original record of property ownership before the land titles system.

Viewing deeds

Records from deed books cannot be copied because of the size and fragility of the record. You can make an appointment to view an original deed if you have the deeds book and folio reference number. Other property record providers can help with more complicated searches and historical research.

Find the deeds book & folio reference

To find a deed book and folio reference:

• Start from a current title (computer register). If the deeds reference is not shown (eg "D.I. 3 folio"), then work backwards using the prior title references until you find the reference.

• If the land still retains its description as used in the deeds system it can be accessed directly using the deeds indexes. Please note that there are no Hawke's Bay deeds records available as they were lost in the 1931 earthquake.

• Some deeds records are stored outside their region (eg South Auckland in Auckland).

View an original

You can request an appointment to view records either online or by completing a printable order form and posting or faxing it to us.

About deeds

Very little land still remains in the deeds system. Searchers can start with a current title (computer register) and track ownership back to the original deed using prior reference numbers or access the Deeds Indexes via the known legal description.