Legal Definitions - title registration

Definition: Title registration is a system of registering ownership of land with a public registry, such as a county clerk's office. It helps establish legal ownership of a property and prevents disputes over ownership.

Example: In the United States, several counties with large metropolitan areas have adopted the Torrens system, named after Sir Robert Torrens, a 19th-century reformer of Australian land laws. Under this system, a claimant first acquires an abstract of title and then applies to a court for the issuance of a title certificate, which serves as conclusive evidence of ownership.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Torrens system works to establish legal ownership of a property. By acquiring an abstract of title and applying for a title certificate, the claimant can prove their ownership of the property. This helps prevent disputes over ownership and ensures that the property can be bought and sold with confidence.