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Guidance

First registration of title if deeds are lost or destroyed (PG2)

Applying for first registration of land where the title deeds have been lost or destroyed (practice guide 2).

Updates to this page

From:
HM Land Registry
Published:
13 October 2003
Last updated:
20 July 2026
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  1. The guide has been updated to provide additional clarity about documentation that can be lodged to support an application where the deeds and documents of title are lost, information regarding when and who can make an application where the last known legal estate owner is deceased and further detail regarding the class of title that may be considered.

  2. Section 4.4 has been amended following a change of contact details for West Yorkshire Archive Service.

  3. Section 2 has been amended to include a link to a Chief Land Registrar’s direction.

  4. We have added a bullet point to section 7 to ensure you enclose an undertaking to send to HM Land Registry any lost deeds that are subsequently found.

  5. Section 2 has been amended to add clarity as to our process on cancellation/rejection and what official copies are available.

  6. Section 3 has been amended to clarify our practice in respect of the protective entries we make in the register.

  7. Section 2 has been amended to clarify that you should lodge only copy documents with your application as we will scan and destroy originals.

  8. The guide has been updated to confirm the land registration fees payable and that some land charges searches are still required when making an application where deeds have been lost or destroyed.

  9. Link to the advice we offer added.

  10. Welsh translation added.

  11. Section 2.2.6 has been updated to make it clearer what kind of evidence of possession we would normally expect to see.

  12. First published.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Practice guide 2: first registration of title if deeds are lost or destroyed

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Details

Aimed at conveyancers, this guide gives information about HM Land Registry requirements concerning applications for first registration of land where the title deeds have been lost or destroyed.

We only provide factual information and impartial advice about our procedures. Read more about the advice we give.

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