Transferring the title of your newly purchased lot to your name

You just bought a new lot now you need to transfer this from the seller to your name so it won’t be difficult for you to sell it in the future – or distribute to your heirs.

The process of transferring the title to your name is not easy – it is long but not very difficult – it just takes time, a lot of it, and a lot of patience too – not to mention you will have to pay a very long list of fees – add that to the cost of transportation, follow ups, and coming back and forth to the concerned offices – it could almost cost the same or sometimes even more than the cost of the purchased land – if the land is cheap – purchased in the rural areas.

Here is a sample summary of fees for a specific lot:

1. BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) Payments and processing – 80,000
2. DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) Processing (clearances and fees) – 20,000
3. DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Subdivision approval – 40,000
4. LGU (Local Government Unit) Subdivision approval – 10,000
5. Register of deeds titling – 40,000
6. Transfer of Tax declaration – 10,000

Here are the usual steps you need to take and requirements you need to submit:

I. BIR Processing: Complete the following requirements:

1. Certified copy of title.
2. Certified copy of tax declaration.
3. Tax clearance
4. Certification of no improvements
5. Sketch plan
6. Valid ID of seller and buyer (photocopy only)
7. Tax identification number of buyer and seller
8. Payments of capital gain tax and documentary stamp
9. Deed of sale
10. Official or acknowledgement receipt of payments

II. Subdivision approval: at DENR and Bureau of Lands:

1. Preparation of subdivision plan for submission to DENR
2. Certified copy of tax declaration
3. Certified copy of title
4. Deed of sale

III. LGU Subdivision approval: requirements

1. Two sets of the site development plan
2. Two sets of the vicinity map
3. Two sets of the survey plan
4. Topographic plan
5. Two sets of the certified copy of title
6. Zoning certification from your local Municipal planning and development Coordinator (MPDC)
7. Deed of sale

IV. DAR Clearance: Requirements

1. Deed of sale
2. Tax declaration
3. Title
4. Affidavit of transferee
5. Affidavit of transferor
6. Certification of land holding seller
7. Certification of land holding buyer
8. Inspection from a DAR employee

V. Processing of transfer of title at the Registry of Deeds:

1. Approved subdivision plan
2. Certification authorizing registration (CAR)
3. Deed of sale
4. Tax declaration
5. Transfer tax
6. Tax clearance
7. Original owner’s copy of title

VI. Transfer of new tax declaration to new owner

1. Copy of title
2. BIR certification authorizing registration (BIR CAR)
3. Deed of sale
4. Transfer tax

VII. Processing of Estate Tax if Any: Consult a lawyer or experienced Accountant or any BIR respresentative