- PID stands for parcel identification number, and a parcel register must contain the PID assigned to the parcel.
- A document about a registered parcel can use the PID in place of the full legal description.
- Property Online is the province's online real property system, and lawyers must be authorized to e-submit documents through it.
If you own or are buying property in Nova Scotia, you will keep running into a short number called a PID. It can show up on a deed, on paperwork from your lawyer and on other property records, and it is easy to wonder whether it matters.
It does. The PID is how the province's land records pick out one specific parcel of land. This article explains what it means, where to look for it, and how it is used when property is registered or sold.
This article covers the law of Nova Scotia.
What a PID is
PID is short for parcel identification number. The Land Registration Administration Regulations define "PID" in exactly those words, and they require a parcel register to contain the PID assigned to the parcel.
Think of it like a file number for a piece of land. Addresses can change, streets can be renamed and owners come and go, but the PID is the number the land records use to pinpoint the parcel itself.
Where you can find your PID
A deed or other registered document is a good place to start, since a document relating to a registered parcel may describe the land by its PID. Other places to look are listed below.
- Your deed or other registered documents, which may describe the land by its PID.
- Paperwork you received from your lawyer when you bought the property.
- Your lawyer, who can help identify the correct PID and match the legal description to the parcel.
- Any PID you find elsewhere, which is worth checking against your deed, because a document may use the PID in place of the full legal description.
If you cannot find the number, your lawyer can look it up for you. Because the PID needs to match the right parcel, it is better to confirm it than to guess.
How the PID is used on a sale
A document relating to a registered parcel may incorporate the legal description by full text, by a short form legal description, or by the PID for the registered parcel as at the date of registration or recording. That means the PID can stand in for a long written description.
This is why accuracy matters. The province recommends a lawyer for real property transactions, including identifying the correct PID and matching the legal description to the parcel. A wrong or mismatched PID can cause delays or confusion about what is actually being sold.
Property Online and registration
Property Online gives access to provincial mapping and electronic document submission. Lawyers must be an authorized lawyer with Property Online to e-submit documents. An authorized lawyer must hold a current Property Online authorized lawyer user agreement with the Minister, and a pre-authorized debit agreement between their law firm and the Minister, and electronic registration is done through such lawyers.
In practice, most documents are submitted electronically by authorized lawyers. As a buyer or seller you will not usually register anything yourself, but your lawyer will rely on the PID to do it.
| Situation | What the PID does |
|---|---|
| Parcel register | Must contain the PID assigned to the parcel |
| Document describing the land | Can use the PID instead of the full legal description |
| Electronic registration | Done through lawyers authorized with Property Online |
If your parcel has no PID
Some parcels may not have a PID. If a parcel has no PID, the owner must request one using Form 1 before submitting a Parcel Description Certification Application.
If this applies to you, talk to a lawyer before a sale. Whether and how it affects your timeline depends on the facts.
What to do next
- Find your PID on your deed or lawyer paperwork.
- Check that it matches the property address and the description in your documents.
- If you are buying, ask your lawyer to confirm the PID and the legal description match the parcel you are viewing.
- If you are selling, give your lawyer your deed and any recent survey or property records early.
- If a PID appears to be missing, ask a lawyer about requesting one.
Frequently asked questions
What does PID stand for?
PID stands for parcel identification number. The Land Registration Administration Regulations use that definition and require a parcel register to contain the PID assigned to the parcel.
Can I look up a PID myself?
Start with your deed or other registered documents, which may describe the land by its PID. Your lawyer can also help identify the correct PID and match it to the legal description.
Is the PID the same as my civic address?
No. Your address tells people where the property is, while the PID identifies the registered parcel in the land records. A document may use the PID in place of the full legal description.
What if my property has no PID?
The owner must request one using Form 1 before submitting a Parcel Description Certification Application. A lawyer can explain the steps for your situation.
Sources
- Land Registration Administration Regulations — novascotia.ca
- Government of Nova Scotia – Property Online — novascotia.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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