Correct a land record

Information about corrections to the register, including the powers of the Registrar-General of Land (RGL) to alter the land register.

Anyone can request a correction to the information in the land register. LINZ will then investigate whether there is an inaccuracy, and change it if necessary.

You may, for instance, find:

  • incorrect spelling of name(s)
  • a memorial incorrectly brought forward from an original document
  • a transposed number
  • an incorrect appellation or legal description
  • a spatial parcel missing or incorrectly shown.

While LINZ corrects errors and inaccuracies caused by LINZ staff, it does not correct errors caused by practitioners (refer to Practitioner error below). 

Similarly, LINZ cannot correct errors made within registered instruments (refer to Practitioner error below).

Practitioner error 

LINZ cannot correct practitioner errors.  For instance if an error in spelling is the result of a practitioner using the incorrect spelling in the instrument, the practitioner must correct the error. 

To change or correct names on the register see Changing or correcting names on the register.

Where an error is made within a registered instrument by a practitioner, for example typographical errors in an easement instrument, the errors cannot be corrected by LINZ.  Once registered the document is a permanent record in the register and cannot be altered.  Any ‘alteration’ must be achieved with subsequent registration (for example surrender of the incorrect easement and registration of a new easement).

For more information see Alterations to the Register Guideline 2024 - LINZ OP G 01306.

LINZ error 

The RGL has limited powers of alteration under section 21 Land Transfer Act 2017 (LTA).  Any alteration made under those powers must be made in accordance with the Alterations to the Register Guideline 2024 - LINZ OP G 01306.

Requesting a correction to a land record 

Registered Landonline users

A correction to a land record can be requested by submitting a Title Correction Request through Web Search.

Simply click the ‘Create Request’ button (in the menu at the top right-hand of the screen).

If you have a valid Digital Certificate, you can continue to submit a ‘Title Correction Request’ and other request types in Legacy Landonline.

If you’re not a registered Landonline user

A correction to a land record can be requested by emailing customersupport@linz.govt.nz.

Please include:

  • information about the land record you believe needs to be corrected
  • the changes needed
  • any other relevant information that may help us resolve the request.

The correction process 

Prior to the commencement of the Land Transfer Act 2017, minor corrections (for spelling mistakes and typographical errors) were dealt with under section 80 Land Transfer Act 1952, while major registration errors were the subject of section 81. All alterations to the register are now dealt with under section 21 of the LTA 2017. 

Minor corrections may be recorded on a record of title by a separate entry (‘departmental dealing’) on the register.

If an alteration to the register would materially affect any person’s registered estate or interest (e.g. a land owner, mortgagee), that person will be notified of the proposed alteration. The alteration will not be made unless the affected people consent in writing to the alteration, or no material objection to the alteration is received.