If you have bought or sold property in Queensland in the past, you would probably be familiar with the old process of obtaining a paper Certificate of Title (CT) for any dealings or conveyancing on the sale. Paper CTs were required for proving ownership and title particulars of a property.
On March 26, 2019, a Bill was passed in Parliament amending the Land Title Act 1994. This Bill renders paper CTs irrelevant as of October 1, 2019, which will further simplify the process of conveyancing since the introduction of electronic titles in 1994.
Paper CTs have not been essential since 1994, but the big change here is that as of October 1, 2019 they will no longer have any legal effect.
As the Titles Registry states "...as of October 1, 2019, a paper CT will become an item of historic or sentimental value only and will no longer need to be deposited with the Titles Registry when a transaction is lodged over the title."
It is important to note that this only comes into effect on October 1, 2019 and until then the paper CT will need to be deposited if one exists.
In the interests of streamlining this change for the public, the process of applying for a paper CT until October 1, 2019 will be centralised. This means that no matter where the CT is applied for, even if at a regional office, the CT will be sent to you by registered post.
As property law in Queensland is a rapidly changing area, we will strive to keep you informed of any changes.
The information in this blog is intended only to provide a general overview and has not been prepared with a view to any particular situation or set of circumstances. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. While we attempt to ensure the information is current and accurate we do not guarantee its currency and accuracy. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the information in this blog as it may not be appropriate for your individual circumstances.