- A State of Title Certificate is a copy of a title that the land title office certifies as correct at the time it is issued.
- The LTSA lists uses such as confirming a registered change, supporting a court application and keeping personal records.
- A certification fee applies per parcel, and requests are not taken by telephone or email.
Someone in your real estate matter has asked for a State of Title Certificate, and you may not be sure how it differs from the title copy you already have. The two are related, but they are not the same document.
This article explains what the certificate is, what a title does and does not show, when people use a certificate, and how to order one in British Columbia.
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: the land title office stands behind the accuracy of the copy as of the moment it is issued.
A title itself shows the registered owner or owners in fee simple, the legal description, the PID, and the charges, liens and interests registered against the property. A certificate reproduces that information in certified form.
How it differs from an ordinary title search
To see what is on a title, you search using the nine-digit Parcel Identifier (PID), because a civic address cannot be used to search. You then order a copy of the title, and a fee applies.
- A title copy shows the register at a specific point in time.
- A State of Title Certificate is that same kind of copy, certified correct when issued.
- Cancelled and historical titles are not available through Explorer accounts and must be obtained through a registry agent or legal professional.
When a certificate is used
The LTSA lists several uses: confirming that a change to the registered title has been recorded (such as after a sale, a paid-off mortgage or a new registered interest), supporting a court application, and personal records.
It can also be ordered as part of applications to change a mailing address, change a name, or claim a builders lien. If someone asks you for one, it is worth knowing that it is a copy of the title certified correct at the time the land title office issues it, so it shows the state of the title on that date.
What a title and certificate do not tell you
A title does not show a phone number or past owners (the chain of ownership). It also reflects the register only at a specific point in time, so later filings will not appear.
Registration of a charge is not a determination by the registrar that the charge is enforceable. So a charge appearing on a certificate tells you it is registered, not whether it can be enforced. That question may need legal advice.
How to order one and what to do next
A certification fee applies, charged per parcel (PID). You can request it through an LTSA Explorer account or by mailed request form. The form needs the PID and legal description, and payment by cheque, bank draft or money order. Cash is not accepted, and mail goes to the Land Title Office in New Westminster.
The LTSA does not process State of Title Certificate requests by telephone or email. It also does not answer questions about title contents or research records for you.
- Find the PID on a property tax notice, in ParcelMap BC, or in BC Assessment's Assessment Search, which needs a civic address.
- Confirm with whoever asked for the certificate what it is for.
- Order through Explorer or the mailed form, and check the current fee on the LTSA fee page.
- If the title raises questions, ask a lawyer to explain it. A registry agent or other professional can also order electronically and help interpret the title.
Frequently asked questions
Is a State of Title Certificate the same as a title search?
They are closely related. A title search gets you a copy of the title, which reflects the register at a specific point in time. A State of Title Certificate is a copy certified correct at the time of issuance by the land title office.
Can I order a certificate by phone or email?
No. The LTSA does not process State of Title Certificate requests by telephone or email. Use an Explorer account or the mailed request form.
What do I need to order one?
You need the PID, and for the mailed form the legal description as well. If you lack the PID, you can look it up in ParcelMap BC, in Assessment Search, or on a property tax notice.
Does the certificate show previous owners?
No. A title does not show past owners or a phone number. Cancelled and historical titles must be obtained through a registry agent or legal professional.
Sources
- LTSA – Search for a title — ltsa.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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