Land Titles & Plans

Land titles and plans are the most commonly requested types of land records. Land titles may also be called computer registers, Certificates of Title, CTs or property titles.

To order a copy of a land title or plan you need to:

1. Know what type you need
2. Check the costs
3. Identify the land district
4. Get the reference
5. Fill out the form
6. View your TIFF files (if receiving records electronically)

Download the how to request a copy of a land record fact sheet (pdf 66KB).

1. Know what type you need

Computer Register (Certificate of Title)

Please note that computer registers and titles do not show valuations or property sales.

You can order a:

• Computer Register (Certificate of Title) - Current with diagram

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 records received by email will be 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 also may include a scanned image of the paper Certificate of Title if one was originally issued. View an example Title (historic) (pdf 81.9KB). (Note that records received by email will be in TIFF format).

• Computer Register (Certificate of Title) - Guaranteed Search

Shows the same information as a Computer Register (Certificate of Title) 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 records received by email will be in TIFF format).

Cadastral Survey Plans

Plans you can order include:

• Survey plans

Often show detailed survey observations. It might also include a simpler plan detailing only the property's boundaries, area and dimensions. View an example survey plan (pdf 82.4KB). (Note that records received by email will be in TIFF format).

• Title plans

Show the plan that was deposited when the title was created. This could be a simple plan of the property's boundaries, area and dimensions, a detailed survey plan or a combination of both. View an example title plan (pdf 113.4KB). (Note that records received by email will be in TIFF format).

Read more about land record types.

2. Check the costs

Check the land record order fees.

A credit card is required for ordering online or by fax. You can pay by cheque if you are posting a printable order form.

3. Identify the land district

View a map to help you choose the right land district. If you are still unsure, choose the district you think is most likely and provide a street address.

4. Get the reference

The record reference for a land title is called an "identifier" and looks like "386573" on more recent titles or "WN123/115" on older titles. It may also be known as a Certificate of Title number or CT number. You can contact your local council to find out a title's identifier.

You can also use a land title's legal description. More 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. Please note that it is the current legal description you need to provide.

The record reference for title and survey plans is the plan number, which looks like "DP 123456". It often forms part of a property's legal description. Make sure to include any prefix or suffix.

For ordering land titles and plans, you can also use the property's street address. In some cases, where land has been subdivided, further details may be required and LINZ will contact you.

5. Fill out the form

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

You may need to request an appointment to view records that cannot be copied due to their size, binding or fragility. LINZ will contact you if a record you want to order cannot be copied and you will not be charged.

Receiving your order

LINZ aims to send orders within two working days. If you select the email delivery option on the form, your records will be sent as an email attachment in TIFF format. All records are sent as black and white copies. See below for how to view multi-page TIFF files.

If you have any problems with your order, contact LINZ customer services on 0800 ONLINE (0800 665 463) or by emailing customersupport@linz.govt.nz.

6. View your TIFF files

If you receive your land record order electronically, it will be sent as an email attachment in TIFF format, and will likely have more than one page to it. Picture and Fax Viewer (for Windows) and Preview (for Mac OS X) are the default document viewers for common Windows and Mac operating systems.

Windows Picture & Fax Viewer

In Picture and Fax Viewer (the default viewer for many versions of Windows) only one page of a document is displayed at a time. To view additional pages, use the page arrow buttons in the toolbar at the bottom of the viewer.

Mac Preview

In Preview (the default viewer for Mac OS X) only one page of a document is displayed at a time. To view additional pages, use the next and previous buttons in the toolbar at the top of the viewer or use the page navigator on the right (if available).