A title registration means the registration of the ownership of a property in the National Land Survey of Finland’s (NLS) title and mortgage register. A title registration needs to be applied for when the owner of a property changes.

A title registration can be applied for a property, an unseparated parcel or a designated share of a property. An application for a title registration needs to be submitted within six months of signing a deed of sale or agreement. Only a property whose ownership has been registered can be mortgaged and used as security for a loan.

How to apply for a title registration?

You can apply for a title registration for several properties using a single application. The price is determined according to the number of properties.

The best way to apply for a title registration depends on your situation:

1. If you are buying or selling a property, and you are assisted by a public purchase witness, the witness can start the application process on your behalf during the transaction.
2. You can complete a transaction without a public purchase witness in the Property Transaction Service. In this case, the title registration process will start automatically.

3. If you wish, you can apply for registration of title by yourself in the National Land Survey's e-service.

   - individual customers in Finnish and in in Swedish
   - organisational customers in Finnish and in in Swedish

   Those persons who have been registered in the Trade Register as authorised to sign on behalf of the organisation can log in to the service.

   Title registration is paid in the NLS e-service when you submit the application.

4. An intermediary (such as a bank) can submit an application on your behalf.
5. If you cannot use our online services, you can also apply for a title registration using a pdf form  in Finnish or in Swedish (suomi.fi).

Transfer tax

In a property transaction, a transfer tax return must be submitted and the tax must be paid in the Finnish Tax Administration’s MyTax service (see more detailed transfer tax payment instructions). Tax obligations must be fulfilled immediately in conjunction with the transaction. However, receipts do not need to be attached with the application, as the NLS obtains information about paid taxes directly from the Tax Administration.

Processing time

See the average processing times of applications and surveying services on the Application processing times page.

Necessary appendices

The most common one is the receipts for payment of the purchase price. You do not need to use original copies of contracts that have been signed by a public purchase witness as appendices to the application for registration of title. Other contracts must be sent by post as original copies.

Agreement on division of the property of the spouses

• original agreement on division of the property of the spouses
• possible receipt of payment of transfer tax, if the agreement is made before 1.11.2019.

Distribution of estate

• estate inventory deed and certification of succession concerning the deceased
• original deed of estate distribution incl. powers of attorney
• possible last will and testament

Exchange

• receipt of payment of transfer tax, if the Exchange is made before 1.11.2019.

Gift

• no appendices needed

Last will and testament

• estate inventory deed and certification of succession concerning the deceased
• original last will

Partition agreement

• possible powers of attorney

Pro forma registration of title for an estate

• estate inventory deed and certification of succession concerning the deceased

Purchase

• If the transfer of title occurs after the purchase price has been paid, please attach a receipt of payment.