Checklist: application for first registration
Updated 23 December 2024
Applies to England and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/first-registrations/checklist-application-for-first-registration
You should complete or consider each of the following points and enclose, or attach, all relevant information before you send us your application.
Make sure that you have:
Form FR1:
[ ] lodged a completed Form FR1
[ ] ensured the extent of the land to be registered can be clearly identified by completing panel 3 of the FR1– see practice guide 40 supplement 2: guidance for preparing plans
[ ] completed panel 5 of the FR1 with the price paid, or the full market value of the land where the price paid is not applicable, eg where the land is a transfer not under sale or registration is based on voluntary terms – see registration services fees
[ ] lodged the appropriate fee by cheque or postal order made payable to HM Land Registry or, if you have one, included the variable direct debit key number in panel 7 of the FR1 (professional customers only) – see registration services fees
[ ] filled in panel 7 in full. If you include an email address, we will use it to contact you about your application. Acknowledgements of receipt of a postal application will only be provided by email
[ ] completed the confirmation of identity panels in the FR1 for all required parties, including any legal representation - see practice guide 67: evidence of identity; conveyancers
[ ] provided the correct certificate in panel 12 of the FR1 – see practice guide 1: first registrations
Documents and supporting evidence:
[ ] lodged DL form with every application
[ ] accounted for “good root” (at least 15 years old) and evidence of subsequent chain of title, including power of attorney, death certificate, probate - see practice guide 1: first registrations
[ ] checked that any plans referred to in deeds are attached and any references on the plans referred to in the deeds are shown in colour on the plans.
[ ] lodged original documents, where required under rule 24 Land Registration Rules 2003, and listed them on form DL – see practice guide 1, section on acceptance of certified copy deeds
[ ] when lodging copy deed applications before 1 October 2024. (Any first registration applications lodged after 1 October 2024 must include the original title deeds that the applicant has in their control):
- enclosed a conveyancer’s certificate
- enclosed only copy deeds and documents and not originals
- certified all copy deeds and documents within 3 months of lodgement and in accordance with the requirements in the Directive
[ ] lodged appropriate SDLT/ LTT evidence
[ ] enclosed the appropriate Land Charges Department searches and accounted for all entries revealed – see practice guide 63: land charges-applications for registration, official search, office copy and cancellation
[ ] lodged a fully completed form AP1 for any registered land included in your application
[ ] enclosed the fee when requesting amalgamation - see Registration Services fees
[ ] provided appropriate inheritance tax evidence if required
[ ] lodged appropriate certificate of registration of charge at Companies House
[ ] ensured documents are dated, the witness execution is legible and names cross-checked between deeds and application forms with any discrepancies accounted for.
Lodging applications correctly will avoid requisitions and potential rejection. Read practice guide 49 - Return and rejection of applications for registration.