Title Deed: Why and How to Obtain It

February 10, 2025 5-minute read

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Titre de propriété : pourquoi et comment l’obtenir

Whether you’re about to buy your first property or have already taken that step, the title deed is an essential document that deserves your full attention.

Title Deed: What Is It For, and How Do You Obtain It?

Our CENTURY 21 Auteuil Immobilier Real Estate Agency, located in the heart of Paris’s 16th arrondissement, tells you more about the importance of a title deed and the steps involved in obtaining one.

What is a title deed?

The title deed is an essential document, drafted and signed by a notary, that serves to prove ownership of real property. It is issued after the property is acquired, whether through purchase, sale, gift, or inheritance. Once drafted, this document must be registered with the land registry. This process guarantees the validity of the transfer of ownership and ensures that there can be no dispute regarding the identity of the owner.

What does a title deed contain?

A title deed is a comprehensive document that contains all the essential information about your real estate property. Its validity depends on the inclusion of certain required details; without them, the deed could be considered invalid.

The following information, in particular, is required for the document to be valid:

Your complete personal information (marital status, contact information);
A detailed description of the property;
The transaction amount in the case of a purchase;
Cadastral references;
Any easements (such as a right of way);
History of previous owners – “Trentenaire” origin;
The terms and conditions for acquiring the property;
The contact information for the notary who drafted the deed;
The date and required signatures;
The appendices, which include diagnostics, urban planning documents, and other important documents;
The absence or release of a mortgage.

Why is a title deed essential?

A title deed is more than just an administrative formality. It provides you with legal protection as a property owner and is essential in many situations: during probate, when taking out a mortgage, or in the event of a dispute over an inheritance. It can also be invaluable in the event of eminent domain or a natural disaster.

How do I obtain a title deed?

You do not receive the title deed immediately after the sale is finalized. When signing the contract at the notary, you will not receive the official title directly, but rather a certificate of ownership. This provisional document will allow you to complete certain administrative procedures, such as taking out home insurance or managing your utility contracts.

The final title deed will be sent several weeks after the sale, once the notary has completed all the necessary formalities with the land registry office. This process can take between two and six months after the sale.

How much does a title deed cost?

Although the title deed is sent at no direct cost to the owner, fees are charged for its preparation and registration as part of the notary fees. The fee for the land registry service is approximately 0.10% of the property’s sale price. For example, for a property purchased for €300,000, the registration fee will be approximately €300.

What should you do if you lose your title deed?

The original, known as the “minute,” is kept in the notary’s archives for 75 years (or 100 years if the deed involves a minor). After that, these documents are transferred to the departmental archives.

You can also obtain a duplicate from the Land Registry. The request can be made by certified mail or electronically, at a cost ranging from 6 to 30 euros.

Can you sell a property without a title deed?

No, it is impossible to sell real estate without a valid title deed. The sale requires the seller to prove that he or she is indeed the legal owner of the property, which requires the presentation of an up-to-date title deed.

How do you verify the authenticity of a title deed?

To verify the authenticity of a title deed, carefully review the notary’s information (name, license number, address), which must be clearly stated on the document. Feel free to contact the notary directly to confirm that he or she did indeed issue the certificate.

For added security, you can request a verification from the Notaries Association in your region. Their dedicated department can thoroughly review the document’s authenticity.

What documents can serve as a substitute for a title deed?

In the event of a sale or inheritance, a certificate of ownership issued by a notary may be sufficient to complete certain administrative procedures until the official title is issued.

In certain situations, particularly during a sale, a certificate of no mortgage—issued by a notary or the tax authorities—may also be used to demonstrate that there are no outstanding debts on the property. However, this document does not carry the same weight as the title deed, which remains essential for providing indisputable proof of the legitimacy of the sale or purchase of a property.

How do I obtain a copy of a title deed in the event of an inheritance?

When real estate is part of an estate, after first receiving the certificate of public notice, obtaining a real estate certificate—which serves as the title to the property—is an essential step for the heirs. The notary, who administers the estate, is responsible for all legal formalities related to the transfer of the property. Once the estate has been settled, the notary issues the heirs a certificate of ownership, which will serve as a temporary title until the deed is officially published by the Land Registry.

This certificate allows the heirs to manage the property, complete administrative procedures, or sell the property if necessary. Approximately six months after the owner’s death, once the deed of succession has been registered, the final title deed is sent to the heirs.

How can our CENTURY 21 Auteuil and Auteuil Seine offices help you?

At CENTURY 21 Auteuil and Auteuil Seine, we put our expertise at your service to guide you through every step of your real estate journey. Whether you’re looking to buy a property, selling a home, or dealing with an estate, or if you have questions about title, our teams are here to guide you.

Please feel free to contact our two real estate agencies, CENTURY 21 Auteuil Immobilier and CENTURY 21 Auteuil Seine, by phone at 0142151621 or 0156071621, or by email: auteuil@century21.fr or auteuilseine@century21.fr.

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