How To Get A Land Title For Property In Jamaica

by Stephanie G.
(Chesapeake, VA, USA)

Stephanie asked the question relating to getting an updated land title property here in Jamaica. At first, I was puzzled but I reached out to a friend of mine at Jamaica's Land Agency, who gave me (and her) some great insight. From there the solution appeared obvious.

Here's her question...

Good Afternoon,

I am living in the United States. My mother owned some properties that were given to her from her late father.

My mother has owned these properties forever even before I was born. Now a lady who owns properties adjoining to my mother has decided to take over all my mother’s properties, saying my late grandmother sold it to her and that she has TITLE for it.

We have not seen the title, but the name she is giving us is so wrong, it is not my grandmother’s name and there is no such person in that part of the community.

How can I go about getting a title for this property?

My mother only has the title left by my grandfather who died in 1966. Also, do you know what is the cost to get a new title?

Any help you can give would be most appreciated.
Thank you so much and have a great day.

With respect
Stephanie G.


ANSWER: by Wellesley

Hey Christy,
Thanks again for asking!

I'm not qualified to speak on these land matters though, but the minute your question popped up, I reached out an old buddy (friend) I have at the corporate office of the National Land Agency in Jamaica (NLA) for guidance; that's the agency that deals with all matters relating to land and land ownership.

This, below, is her direct response that we'll use as a guide.

Next Steps

So two things Steph:

1. To reach out to the National Land Agency for further guidance, use the following contact information.
   
   Be sure to have the information she requested on hand:
   
   Address
   Land Titles Services
   National Land Agency
   8 Ardenne Road
   Kingston 10
   
   Opening Hours
   8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Monday - Thursday)
   8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Friday)
   
   Phone
   876-750-5263 or
   876-946-5263
   
   Email
   asknla@nla.gov.jm
   
   Website
   http://nla.gov.jm/
   
   
2. Regarding Getting An Attorney...
   
   I don't have a direct recommendation, but there are a number of qualified and esteemed ones here on the island.
   
   I suggest that you start by reviewing the list of lawyers who have a practising certificate by the General Legal Council Of Jamaica at this link.
   

And for your benefit (and others will be reading this later), I'll now outline the procedure, according to the NLA, of ...

How To Obtain A New Title For Property In Jamaica

... in the case of a missing, lost or destroyed Certificates

• You must apply to the Registrar of Titles by way of statutory declaration proving the loss or destruction of the title.
  
  That declaration is to be headed: "In the Matter of the Registration of Titles Act and an application by --- (insert owner’s name) for a new Certificate of Title in place of the lost/destroyed duplicate registered at Volume, Folio”.
  
  
• Please note that you must identify the land by reference to the description of the land as set out in the lost or destroyed Title and include the Volume and Folio numbers.
  
  If you don't know the Volume and Folio numbers, you can request a Title search at the Land Titles Division.
  
  
• The true and actual value of the land with all improvements must be stated.
  
  
• Also, evidence to satisfy the Registrar of Titles that the duplicate
  Certificate of Title has been lost or destroyed must be provided, and finally,
  
  
• Retain the services of a practising lawyer.
  

Note that you can find other general information on Land Titling in Jamaica at the Land Titles Services Division website.

What Is The Cost Of A New Title?

Sorry I almost forgot this question :-(.

The fees for Titles differ by the purpose though ...

For example, the cost of applying for Titles Lost or Destroyed is currently $3,000 JMD, while the cost of a Certified Copy of the Original Title is $1,600 JMD.

If someone is applying for a Change Of Name that cost is #1,000 JMD.

But all that (and more) are Fee Calculator section of the NLA's website.

I hope this helps.

Be sure to also read my article on: How Long Is The Process Of Buying Property In Jamaica.


Regards,
WG

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