Proof of ownership
Your ownership is held centrally and electronically by HM Land Registry — obtainable online in minutes, instead of depending on fragile paper.
Voluntary first registration
Registering your unregistered title at HM Land Registry — voluntarily, at the reduced fee, before any sale or mortgage forces the issue.
If your property has never been registered with HM Land Registry, its ownership is proved only by a bundle of paper title deeds. Voluntary first registration is the process of submitting those deeds — on form FR1 — so HM Land Registry creates a permanent electronic record: a unique title number, a title plan showing your boundaries, and an official statement of who owns the land and on what terms.
It’s “voluntary” because you’re choosing to do it now, rather than waiting for a sale, gift or mortgage to make it compulsory. That choice is rewarded: HM Land Registry charges 25% less to register voluntarily.
Many people register simply for peace of mind — to protect against fraud and lost deeds, and to make life easier for their family later. There’s no trigger event required.
The benefits
Your ownership is held centrally and electronically by HM Land Registry — obtainable online in minutes, instead of depending on fragile paper.
A registered title can use HM Land Registry’s free Property Alert service, warning you of suspicious activity. Unregistered property cannot.
First registration produces a title plan mapping the extent of your property, which can head off future boundary disputes.
When you do sell, gift or remortgage, the title work is already done — at the lower fee — avoiding delay when it matters most.
The process
Your solicitor does the heavy lifting. In outline:
A search of HM Land Registry confirms the property has no existing title.
Your solicitor assembles the title deeds and documents that prove the chain of ownership (the “root of title”).
An FR1 application, an epitome of title and a compliant plan are prepared and checked.
The application is lodged and any queries answered until the title is registered.
HM Land Registry issues your title number and title plan — the job is complete.
Questions
Next step
Send the address and what you know. We’ll confirm the status, explain your options and — if it helps — introduce a specialist solicitor with a fixed-fee quote.
No obligation. We respond within 2 hours during business hours and confirm a specialist solicitor within 24 hours.