- A State of Title Certificate is a copy of the title certified correct at the time of issuance by the land title office.
- It is used to confirm a registered change, support a court application, or keep personal records, and it is part of some applications.
- It is ordered through an LTSA Explorer account or by mailed form, and the LTSA does not process requests by phone or email.
Someone in a sale, a financing or a court matter may ask you for a State of Title Certificate. The name sounds formal, and it is easy to confuse with the ordinary title search you can order online.
This article explains what the certificate is, how it differs from a regular copy of a title, when it is used and how to order it. It also covers what it can and cannot prove.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
What a State of Title Certificate is
A State of Title Certificate is a copy of the title that is certified correct at the time of issuance by the land title office. The key idea is the certification. It is not just a printout of what the register showed; the land title office stands behind it as correct on the date it was issued.
Like any title record, it speaks as of a moment in time. A title reflects the register at a specific point in time, so a certificate issued today does not tell you what the register will show next month.
How it differs from a title search
| Title search | State of Title Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A copy of the title contents | A copy of the title certified correct at issuance |
| How to order | Electronically, such as through an Explorer account | Through an Explorer account or by mailed request form |
| Reported fee (effective April 1, 2026; confirm with the LTSA) | $11.06 | $16.76 certification fee |
Those amounts have been reported as the LTSA fees effective April 1, 2026. Fees can change, so confirm both on the LTSA fee page before you order. A certification fee applies to the certificate and is charged per parcel, meaning per PID.
When people use one
The LTSA lists several uses. You might want to confirm that a change to the registered title has been recorded, such as after a sale, a paid-off mortgage or a new registered interest. It can support a court application, or you can keep it for personal records.
It can also be ordered as part of applications to change a mailing address, change a name, or claim a builders lien.
- Confirming a sale, discharge or new interest has been recorded.
- Supporting a court application.
- Personal records.
- Supporting an application to change a mailing address or name, or to claim a builders lien.
If a buyer, lender or court has asked for one, check with them whether a certified copy is truly required or an ordinary copy will do.
How to order one
You can request a certificate through an LTSA Explorer account or by mailed request form. The form needs the PID and the legal description, and payment must be by cheque, bank draft or money order. Cash is not accepted. Mail goes to the Land Title Office in New Westminster.
The LTSA does not process State of Title Certificate requests by telephone or email. If you are not sure of the PID, you can find it in ParcelMap BC, in BC Assessment's Assessment Search, or on a property tax notice.
- Find the PID and the legal description.
- Choose an Explorer account or the mailed request form.
- If mailing, pay by cheque, bank draft or money order, not cash.
- Allow for mailing time if a deadline is involved.
- Confirm the current certification fee before you pay.
What it proves, and what it does not
A certificate shows the registered owners, legal description, PID and registered charges, liens and interests as of its date, the same content as an ordinary title. It does not show a phone number or past owners.
It also does not decide whether a charge is enforceable. Registering a charge is not a determination by the registrar that the charge is enforceable. An indefeasible title that is in force and uncancelled is conclusive evidence of the registered owner's title, but this is subject to listed exceptions, such as existing grant conditions, highways, and fraud in which the registered owner participated.
In short, it is good evidence of what was on the register on the day it was certified, but it is not a legal opinion on the property.
What to do next
- Ask whoever requested the certificate exactly what they need and by when.
- Plan ahead if you are mailing a request, and remember that the LTSA does not process requests by telephone or email.
- Read the charges listed on the certificate and ask for the registered documents behind any you do not understand.
- Speak with a lawyer if the certificate shows something that could affect a sale, a loan or a court matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is a State of Title Certificate the same as a title search?
No. A title search gives you a copy of the title contents. A State of Title Certificate is a copy certified correct at the time of issuance by the land title office.
Can I order one by phone or email?
No. The LTSA does not process State of Title Certificate requests by telephone or email. Use an LTSA Explorer account or the mailed request form.
How do I pay if I mail the request?
Payment is by cheque, bank draft or money order, and cash is not accepted. The form needs the PID and legal description, and it goes to the Land Title Office in New Westminster.
Does the certificate prove the owner's rights are unquestionable?
Not completely. Indefeasible title is conclusive evidence of ownership, but subject to listed exceptions such as fraud in which the registered owner participated. It also does not mean every registered charge is enforceable.
Sources
- LTSA – Search for a title — ltsa.ca
- LTSA – Fees — ltsa.ca
- BC Laws – Land Title Act — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- BC Laws – Land Title Act (Part 10 incl. s. 219) — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- LTSA – Order a State of Title Certificate — ltsa.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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