Securing Certified True Copies Made Easy By the Land Registration Authority’s A2A Program

Being a landowner entails a lot of nitty-gritty. In the Philippines, one of the most important documents a property owner must have are Certified True Copies (CTCs) of their real estate documents. These legal papers, which are part of due diligence when buying a property in the country, also serve as the documents validating the authenticity of the real estate. CTCs of titles serve as important requirements for functions like land transfer and purchase. Moreover, it is a primary document that is used to check the authenticity and legitimacy of a title to a property.

The Land Registration Authority (LRA) is the government agency handling the issuance of CTCs of titles in the country. In addition to this function, the LRA serves to issue decrees of registration, works to issue transfer certificates of title, and keeps a title history of record transactions of titled lands.

In addition to the LRA’s mission to manage functions relating to properties in the country, the agency has also focused its efforts in improving user access to their services through the use of advanced automated systems and modern facilities. In particular, one of its biggest moves was the launch of its Anywhere-to-Anywhere (A2A) service. The service answers the all too common concern of landowners in the facility of securing certified true copies of titles kept in different Registries nationwide.

Before, one would have to travel to the location where their property is registered to request for their title. Not only is this time-consuming, it can also be costly as well. The A2A service changes the face of securing CTCs by putting all their titles under the jurisdiction of a computerized registry. To use the A2A, a landowner simply has to go and visit the nearest Registry of Deeds to him / her. A form will be then required to be filled out with the title number, name of owner, and the local area of Registry of Deeds where the copy of the title is. A processing fee needs to be paid at the end of the process and the landowner will be given an official receipt that he / she has to submit on the day he can claim his CTC. The owner will then get a CTC of their property title.

The service is part of the LRAs efforts to better serve the public. Though the agency has been around for more than a century as sole repository for land titles, it is one of the most lauded government organizations when it comes to keeping up with the times. In fact, on February 2017, the government agency received a recognition as an ISO 9001:2008 compliant government organization. The distinction signifies that the LRA practices clear policies, demonstrates good planning, resource management, and commitment to the public as certified by international standard assessors.

The A2A service is just among the many efforts of the agency to deliver efficient service to the public. The new system is a game changer among landowners who often have to go through the painstaking process of getting the documents they need for their properties. Drop by the nearest A2A Registry of Deeds closest to you and check the Land Registration Authority’s website for more information.