Dominica - Obtain a First Certificate of Title

ProcedureEdit

Gather all documents that must be presented and submitted to register a land.
Before documents can be presented at the Registry Office to be processed, all relevant fees must be paid at the Treasury. The fees payable are 1% Judicial fee and 1% Assurance fee on the value of the land. Documents to be presented to the cashier at the Treasury are the Request and one title form.
Once all necessary fees are paid, all required documents will then be presented at the Registry Office by entering documents, stating date and time in the presentation book.
After presentation, a copy of the schedule must be advertised in 2 consecutive issues of any newspaper in Dominica for the benefit of individuals who may have an interest in the land and wish to object to the issue.
A Notice stating that an application has been presented at the Registry Office must be served on the adjacent occupiers (example: individuals who own land bounding with the Applicant, the North, South boundaries and so on) This procedure is done as means of informing the public of the registration, that the plan presented is a true and corrected reflection of the area claimed and that their rights are not being affected. If the adjacent occupier has an objection, then he/she is entitled to place Caveat (a legal document stopping the registration) against the application. If the parties involved are unable to settle the dispute, then the Caveat is heard before a Judge in chambers.
Two copies of the advertisement in the newspaper and an Affidavit of Service (a document sworn to by the person who served the adjacent occupiers) are presented at the Registry Office.
At the expiration of 6 weeks after the advertisement in the newspaper or service on the adjacent occupiers (whichever is the later), the documents are vetted for correctness and placed before the Judge for the Judge's Flat (the approval to issue).
Once the Judge's Flat has issued, the relevant stamps and information are placed on the 2 title forms and 2 surveys plans and placed before the Registrar/Deputy Registrar for signing. After documents have been signed, the plans are attached to the title forms. One Certificate of Title is given to the Registered Proprietor/Applicant and the other is kept at the Registry.

Required DocumentsEdit

A request giving the details of the land. The request must be duly signed and dated by the applicant and witnessed by a Solicitor, Notary Public (if signed outside of Dominica) or by an independent person.
Three (3) survey plans signed by a Licensed Surveyor stating the information of the land to be registered and accompanied by a Surveyor's Affidavit verifying the plans.
Common Affidavit signed, dated and sworn to by the Applicant and his/her Solicitor giving the details of the land.
One (1) affidavit signed dated and sworn to by the Applicant giving the history of the land and his/her right to the land.
Two (2) supporting affidavits from other persons who have knowledge of the land and the right of the Applicant to the land.
Supporting documents (i.e. Deeds, Probate, Receipt, Death Certificate, Valuation etc) which could further establish the right of the Applicant to the land.
Abstract of Title (i.e. a list of affidavit and supporting documents).
Schedule (i.e. the advertisement for title which is advertised in the newspaper).
Two (2) title forms with the relevant information pertaining of the Applicant and the land to be registered.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Ministry of Tourism and Legal Affairs
3rd Floor, Government Headquarters
Kennedy Avenue, Roseau
Tel: (767) 266 3497
Fax: (767) 448 6200
E-mail: [email protected]

Registry Department
Dame Mary Eugenia Charles Boulevard
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica
Phone: (767) 266 3410
Fax: (767) 440 3753
E-mail: [email protected]

EligibilityEdit

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FeesEdit

To register a land, applicants must pay 1% Judicial fee and 1% Assurance fee based upon the value of the land to be registered.

ValidityEdit

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

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InstructionsEdit

To register a land for the first time an application has to be made to the Registrar of Titles.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

A Certificate of Title is a document issued after a land is registered, this in accordance with the Registration of Titles Chapter 56:50 of 1990 and Chapter 56:51 of 1990 of the Revised Laws of Dominica. Certificates of Title are issued in duplicate by the Registrar of Titles. The Certificates of Title are registered by placing one duplicate in order of its date in the current volume of the register. The other duplicate is handed over to the registered proprietor who must produce the same whenever he/she desires to transfer or otherwise deal with the land.

A "Certificate of Title" can be in these three forms:

First Certificate of Title: first time that an application is being made to register the land and title to be issued thereafter
New Certificate of Title: a title issued to replace a certificate of title that has been issued and subsequently lost or destroyed
Transfer Certificate: a title issued as part of or the whole of the registered land

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a First Certificate of Title in Dominica.

Information which might helpEdit

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External LinksEdit

Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica's Web Portal:

http://www.dominica.gov.dm/services/how-do-i-obtain-a-first-certificate-of-title

OthersEdit

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