BY EMAIL
DATE: 17th July 2026
DISTRIBUTION: GENERAL
SUBJECT: REMOVAL OF CERTIFICATE OF TITLE INFORMATION
As has previously been published it is confirmed that Certificates of Title (CTs) will be removed from the conveyancing process on and from 1 September 2026. The published notice to this effect has given rise to a number of queries as to implications. The purpose of this notice is to address a number of enquiries received and to provide clarification.
Role of the Register
1. It is stressed that paper CTs will no longer be part of the land titling process in Tasmania from 1 September 2026, whether in relation to paper-based or electronic conveyancing transactions. This does not mean, as has been suggested, that paper CTs are being “converted to” or “replaced by” electronic CTs. There will be no CTs at all as of 1 September 2026.
The Register maintained by the Recorder of Titles has always been, and continues to be, the sole source of truth for registered estates and interests in land.
2. The ability to search the Register and obtain a title (the folio of the Register) search will continue as before.
Production of CTs
3. It remains possible for CTs (whether HOBO or physically held) to be produced up to and including 31 August 2026 and a Production Slip Receipt (PSR) will be issued. It will not be possible to produce CTs after 31 August 2026 as the functionality will no longer be available.
Need for CT or PSR to accompany lodgements
4. Up to and including 31 August 2026, a CT or relevant PSR is required to accompany the lodgement of Registry Instruments and other Documents in accordance with existing practices.
However, on and from 1 September 2026, a CT or relevant PSR is not required to accompany any lodgement with the Land Titles Office (LTO).
Any CT provided with a lodgement on and after 1 September 2026 will be destroyed.
Future of CTs
5. No CTs will be issued, printed or returned after 31 August 2026. There will be no functionality to do this from this date.
If any CT accompanies the lodgement of a Registry Instrument or other Document which is subsequently registered on and after 1 September 2026 the CT will not be issued or returned (regardless of the lodgement date).
6. Any CT accompanying a Registry Instrument or other Document lodged on or before 31 August 2026 will be returned to the lodging party (together with all other documents lodged) only in the event of the Registry Instrument or other Document being:
(a) withdrawn from lodgement; or
(b) refused registration.
7. The LTO will not accept any CTs for destruction or otherwise.
CTs held by the LTO on behalf of parties
8. CTs held on behalf of practitioners (HOBO CTs) by the LTO are held upon and subject to the direction and control of the relevant practitioner. This will continue to be the case until 31 August 2026.
The LTO will not respond to any requests or direction from clients of the relevant practitioner or from any other person in relation to such HOBO CTs.
9. All HOBO arrangements (including whether CTs are held on behalf of practitioners, banks or other financial institutions) cease to have effect on 31 August 2026 and after this date HOBO CTs cannot be retrieved.
CTs held by practitioners on behalf of clients
10. Arrangements in respect to any CTs held by practitioners on behalf of their clients will continue to be a matter between practitioners and their clients.
Lost or destroyed CTs
11. The LTO will continue to accept the lodgement of applications for new CTs (in cases of lost or destroyed CTs) up to and including 31 August 2026. From 1 September 2026 the LTO will not accept applications for new CTs. However, if such application has not been finalised by 31 August 2026 it will be refused.
It will therefore be a matter for a lodging party to assess the appropriateness of making such application, taking into account all the relevant circumstances.
Related information
• Certificates of Title: Certificates of title | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
ROBERT MANNING
Recorder of Titles
Contact
Land Titles Office
Level 1, 134 Macquarie Street
Hobart TAS 7000