End of Duplicate Certificates of Title marks major milestone

• Duplicate Certificates of Title no longer used from today, Monday, 7 August 2023
• Change is a key part of Landgate's evolution in electronic conveyancing
• One of three amendments to the Transfer of Land Act 1893

Duplicate Certificates of Title (Duplicate CTs) will no longer be used in Western Australia from today, as part of the Transfer of Land Amendment Act 2022 changes.

The move brings WA into line with most other States around the nation and will contribute to a more modern conveyancing system.

It is one of three legislative changes to the Transfer of Land Act 1893, which also included enabling electronic service of notices and clarifying the definition of counterpart documents. These changes will also be brought in from today.

Duplicate CT's provided a snapshot of the original Certificate of Title, at the date and time they were issued. Landgate securely maintains the official land title register (LTR) for the State Government.

Anyone who has a Duplicate CT can choose to keep it as a historical keepsake, however, it is no longer a legal document and no longer required to register property transactions.   

The security of the LTR is safeguarded by cyber security practices specified by the State Government's Cyber Security policy and is Landgate's highest priority.

It's important to note there is no change to property ownership, registered interests, or encumbrances. A digital copy of the original Certificate of Title can be searched via Landgate, to ascertain the current registered proprietor(s) (owners), registered interests or encumbrances, such as leases, mortgages and easements.

Landgate has engaged in industry and stakeholder education in the lead-up to this change taking effect with information and resources made available on the Landgate website.

For more information on what the changes mean, go to the Landgate website

Comments attributed to Lands Minister John Carey:

"With Duplicate Titles used in WA since 1875, ending the use of these documents is a significant milestone in the history of the land titles Register and for Landgate as the custodian of the WA land titles Register.

"This has been a journey of more than 25 years, following Duplicate Titles being made optional back in 1996, with more than half of all freehold titles already having no Duplicate Title.

"Ending the use of Duplicate Titles in WA will progress electronic conveyancing and contribute to simplifying the lodgement of property transactions while ensuring information is kept accurate and secure."