Changes to new certificates of title in Victoria from 3 August 2024
Since 2000, Victoria has been on a journey to create a future-ready Register of land. Electronic certificates of title (eCTs), verification of identity, client authorisation, certifications and priority notices are now well established.
Phasing out paper certificates of titles (pCTs) is the next step in the journey to streamline and modernise Victoria’s land administration.
From 3 August 2024, all new Victorian certificates of title from the Register of land will be electronic.
Existing paper certificates of title will remain valid until they are next required for a land transaction.
Processing cut-off times for paper certificates of title
It is important to note that the change will take effect based on the registration date of an instrument, not the lodgment date.
Subscribers who have selected paper in the issuing instructions will receive paper certificates if they are lodged and registered before 3 August 2024.
Any instruments that are registered on or after 3 August 2024 and require the issue a certificate of title, will result in an electronic certificate, regardless of the lodgment date.
Most electronic instruments, such as transfers, mortgages, discharge of mortgage, caveats, withdrawals of caveats, transmission and survivorship applications, are electronically examined and registered or recorded very soon after lodgment. In some cases, they require manual examination, so additional time is required.
Once the change takes effect, paper will no longer be an available format in the “Issuing Instructions” section within an ELNO (PEXA and Sympli). As of 3 August 2024, the only available format will be electronic.
Instruments submitted through the Generic Residual Document are processed manually, so additional time is required. The date a Generic Residual Document is submitted using the ELN is not the date of lodgment.
Generic Residual Document submissions received after 26 July 2024 may not result in a paper certificate of title (if one is required) being issued as the instrument(s) lodged may be registered after 3 August 2024.
More information about Generic Residual Document lodgments can be found on the Electronic submission of paper instruments page on our website.
Further information
To learn more about these changes, please visit the Land.Vic website for more information and common questions that may arise.