Losing a land title is a stressful experience for any property owner in the Philippines. Fortunately, the law provides a mechanism called the administrative reconstitution of title to address this issue without always needing to go to court.
What is Administrative Reconstitution of Title?
Reconstitution refers to the legal restoration of a land title that was lost, burned, or destroyed while in the custody of the Register of Deeds.
Under Republic Act No. 6732, administrative reconstitution is possible when the number of certificates lost or destroyed in the Registry of Deeds is at least ten percent (10%) of the total number of titles.
Who Can File for Title Restoration?
Property owners can initiate this process when there is clear evidence that the original record at the government office no longer exists.
Key requirements often include:
A formal, notarized petition addressed to the LRA.
A valid duplicate title in the possession of the owner.
A certified copy of the lost or destroyed certificate reconstitution of title of title.
Tax declarations and latest tax clearance.
The Process of Administrative Reconstitution
Navigating the reconstitution of title requires following a specific government workflow.
Initial Application: Present your documents to the registrar for initial evaluation.
Review and Publication: The LRA will review the documents and may require publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Issuance of Order: If the petition is found to reconstitution of title be in order, an Order of Reconstitution will be issued.
Registration: The Register of Deeds will then reconstitution of title philippines issue the reconstituted title, which will have the same legal standing as reconstitution of title the original.
Why Professional Guidance is Recommended
Even though it is reconstitution of title an administrative process, the documentation required can be overwhelming for many.
A single mistake in the filing process can result in the rejection of your application.
Conclusion
Securing your property rights through the administrative reconstitution of title is a necessary step if your records have been compromised.