Computer Registers (Certificate of Title)

Computer Registers (Certificate of Title) prove the ownership of land and the rights and restrictions that apply to the land. They have replaced paper Certificates of Title since 2002.

Order a title (computer register)

To order a computer register you will need to know which type you want, its land district and either its reference number, legal description or street address. Other property record providers can help with more complicated searches or historical research.

Title types

There are three types of titles:

  • Computer Register (Certificate of Title)

Shows everything currently registered against the computer register, including current proprietors and interests (eg a mortgage, transfer or easement). It also includes a diagram of the deposited plan of the property. View an example Computer Register (Certificate of Title) (PDF 68.1KB). (Note that record orders received by email are in TIFF format).

  • Computer Register (Certificate of Title) - (historic)

Shows the original proprietor when the title was issued and all the interests registered since then. It may also include a diagram of the deposited plan of the property and a scanned image of the paper Certificate of Title if one was originally issued. View an example Computer Register (Certificate of Title) - (historic) (PDF 81.9KB). (Note that record orders received by email are in TIFF format).

  • Computer Register (Certificate of Title) - Guaranteed Search

Shows the same information as a Computer Register (Certificate of Title) (current with diagram) as well as any interests that have been lodged with LINZ but have not yet been registered against the title. View an example Computer Register (Certificate of Title) Guaranteed Search (PDF 74.2KB). (Note that record orders received by email are in TIFF format).

Computer register reference numbers

The reference number for a computer register is called an "identifier". It may also be called a Certificate of Title number or a CT number. They look like "386573" on more recent titles or "WN123/115" on older computer registers.

Find legal descriptions

Recent legal descriptions look like "Lots 1 and 2 DP 456789". Older legal descriptions look like "Section 1019-1022 Town of Christchurch". You can find legal descriptions on rating valuation notices or rates demands. You can also search maps on some local council websites. Rating rolls, which are held by some city and district councils, also list the history of legal descriptions for properties.

Use street addresses

You can also order a computer registers by providing the street address. In some cases, where land has been subdivided, further details may be required and LINZ will contact you.

Order a copy

You can order a copy of a land record either online or by completing a printable order form and posting or faxing it to us.

About Computer registers (Certificate of titles)

By using the prior reference number on a computer register or paper Certificate of Title, it is possible to trace the ownership of a piece of land back for many years. This can be as far as the original Certificate of Title issued under the earlier Land Transfer Acts. In some cases it may lead back to the original Crown grant or Deed, which proved ownership prior to the registration of the title.

There are four types of computer register. (Note that record orders received by email are in TIFF format):

  • Computer Freehold Registers (CFRs) for freehold (fee simple) land. View an example (PDF 218KB).
  • Computer Interest Registers (CIRs) for leasehold land, or for any land of a lesser interest than freehold. View an example (PDF 120KB).
  • Computer Unit Title Registers (CUTRs) for stratum freehold or leasehold interests in a unit titled development. View an example (PDF 128KB).
  • Composite Computer Registers (CCRs), which are combinations of the other three types of computer register. For example, a cross lease title is a combination of freehold and leasehold computer registers. View an example (PDF 163KB).

LINZ holds computer registers (Certificate of titles) electronically in Landonline.

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