How To Apply For A Title Deed In Kenya

This is a step by step guide on how to apply for a title deed in Kenya. Title deeds in Kenya are issued by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. They are very important documents that show proof of land ownership.

Here is how to apply for a title deed in Kenya.

1. Perform an official land search.

This is done so as to confirm whether the land has been registered before or it is owned by someone else. The land search application can be done online or in person. You will be required to pay Kshs 500 for the search.

Apply in person

This can simply be done at the Ministry of Lands headquarters or regional lands offices.
Submit a dully-filled search application (form RL 26).
After the search has been performed, you are issued with a stamped certificate of official search (form RL 27). The certificate shows the status of the land.

Required documents

Filled application for official search form (Form RL 26).
Proof of land ownership.
ID card for the applicant if Kenyan.
Copy of PIN certificate.
Passport copy of the applicant if he/she is not a Kenyan.
Foreign national registration or alien card for foreigners.

Online application

Log in to the e-citizen portal.
Click on Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning.
Choose the land search option.
Enter the title number and fill the online land search form and submit.
Confirm whether the details filled are correct.
Proceed to pay for the search (Kshs 500).
The results of the search will be posted on the portal.

2. Obtain land transfer document.

This must involve the services of a lawyer. It involves the following procedures;

Apply, pay and obtain the rates clearance certificate from the county government. Each county has its own land rates. The process takes about 5 days and costs Kshs 10,000.
Apply and obtain land rate clearance certificate from the Commissioner of Lands. The certificate shows proof that there are no outstanding land rate fees to be paid.
Obtain consent to transfer from the Commissioner of Lands. This costs Kshs 1,000.
Assessment of stamp duty payable on the transfer. Stamp duty is 4% of property value for urban lands and 2% for rural lands.

3. Obtain valuation of stamp duty.

Obtain valuation of the property by government valuers. Valuation costs Kshs 1,000 for municipal plots and Kshs 500 for plots in other urban areas.

4. Payment of stamp duty.

You will be required to complete the stamp duty form including the purchase price of the property or land. An assessment officer will then assess the stamp duty payable and indicate the amount on the stamp duty form.
Payment of stamp duty is made to the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes on behalf of Commissioner of Lands. It is done online via the iTax portal.

5. Land registration.

You will be required to pay Kshs 500 as the registration fee. You will be issued with a booking form to fill.
Proceed to lodge the completion documents with lands office for registration. The process takes about 2 weeks.
Once the registration is successful, you will be issued with an original title deed, registered transfer forms and pay in slip of stamp duty.

Requirements for land registration