The Registrar of Titles has updated the Land Title Practice Manual with regard to definitions of alterations and amendments to land registry forms and practice to be followed when such occurs.

New titles registry requirements now apply where changes are made to completed forms, because of the Registrar's concerns that some changes have not been authorised.

The new requirements apply to dealings lodged after 30 April 2012. However, a requisition fee will only apply to dealings lodged after 2 July 2012.

See Part 59 Forms - paragraph 2040 of the Land Titles Practice Manual.

A Titles Office Registry Alert has been issued regarding preparation of Transmission applications where a civil partnership is involved.

View the alert and procedures required when preparing your Form 5A of Form 6 Transmissions here.

Please take extra care when preparing your Land Registry Forms for settlement or lodging.

DERM are enforcing the practice of all parties to the document having to initial any alterations, amendments or additions to land registry forms, and any forms lodged without the initials of all parties will be requisitioned.

This requirement has always been encompassed in the Land Titles Practice Manual and in legislation, but has not been actively enforced. In previous practice, it was accepted that an initial of only one party or their authorised representative was satisfactory for lodging purposes.

To ensure registration, please ensure your documents are free of alteration or additions, or in the event that a correction is required, all parties including witnesses must initial the forms.

If in doubt, contact DERM on 3405 6900, option 4, for advice.