Form

Checklist: application for first registration

Updated 1 October 2024

Applies to England and Wales

You should complete or consider each of the following points and enclose, or attach, all relevant information before you send us your application.

Make sure that you have:

Form FR1:

[ ] lodged a completed Form FR1

[ ] ensured the extent of the land to be registered can be clearly identified by completing panel 3 of the FR1– see practice guide 40 supplement 2: guidance for preparing plans

[ ] completed panel 5 of the FR1 with the price paid, or the full market value of the land where the price paid is not applicable, eg where the land is a transfer not under sale or registration is based on voluntary terms   – see registration services fees

[ ] lodged the appropriate fee by cheque or postal order made payable to HM Land Registry or, if you have one, included the variable direct debit key number in panel 7 of the FR1 (professional customers only)  – see registration services fees

[ ] filled in panel 7 in full. If you include an email address, we will use it to contact you about your application. Acknowledgements of receipt of a postal application will only be provided by email 

[ ] completed the confirmation of identity panels in the FR1 for all required parties, including any legal representation - see practice guide 67: evidence of identity; conveyancers 

[ ] provided the correct certificate in panel 12 of the FR1 – see practice guide 1: first registrations

Documents and supporting evidence:

[ ] lodged DL form with every application

[ ] accounted for “good root” (at least 15 years old) and evidence of subsequent chain of title, including power of attorney, death certificate, probate - see practice guide 1: first registrations 

[ ]  checked that any plans referred to in deeds are attached and any references on the plans referred to in the deeds are shown in colour on the plans.

[ ] lodged original documents, where required under rule 24 Land Registration Rules 2003, and listed them on form DL – see practice guide 1, section on acceptance of certified copy deeds

[ ] when lodging copy deed applications before 1 October 2024. (Any first registration applications lodged after 1 October 2024 must include the original title deeds that the applicant has in their control):

  • enclosed a conveyancer’s certificate
  • enclosed only copy deeds and documents and not originals
  • certified all copy deeds and documents within 3 months of lodgement and in accordance with the requirements in the Directive

[ ] lodged appropriate SDLT/ LTT evidence

[ ] enclosed the appropriate Land Charges Department searches and accounted for all entries revealed – see practice guide 63: land charges-applications for registration, official search, office copy and cancellation

[ ] lodged a fully completed form AP1 for any registered land included in your application

[ ] enclosed the fee when requesting amalgamation - see Registration Services fees

[ ] provided appropriate inheritance tax evidence if required

[ ] lodged appropriate certificate of registration of charge at Companies House

[ ] ensured documents are dated, the witness execution is legible and names cross-checked between deeds and application forms with any discrepancies accounted for.

Lodging applications correctly will avoid requisitions and potential rejection. Read practice guide 49 - Return and rejection of applications for registration.