In Jamaica, families have been informally gifting land to other members across generations, leading to many 'owning' and living on land without being in possession of registered titles. 

In order to protect your asset, the National Land Agency recommends that, you can make an application to the Registrar of Titles to have it registered, once you are able to prove ownership. This can be a tricky process, and Real Estate Caribbean recommends seeking the assistance of licensed professionals, such as a surveyor and a lawyer to help streamline the process. 

In addition to filing an application in the form prescribed by the Registrar of Titles Act, signed by the applicant and witnessed (ie notarized), a Statutory Declaration proving possession needs to be submitted, supported by supplementary declarations from two persons who have known the land for at least 30 years in cases where the application does not have a conveyance.

Other documents include:

• An up-to-date certificate of payment of Property Tax

• A pre-checked Survey diagram 

• Applications otherwise than by Plan must describe the land so as to enable identification of the location of the parcel on the ground by reference to a landmark and state the name by which the property is known

Registration fees, including but not limited to, Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax, are paid when you submit your documents to the assessor at the Titles Office. You might be required to provide further information and/or fees incurred as per your circumstances. 

Your application will go through a series of processes as prescribed by law, and upon approval, you will be sent a Notice. You must publish this Notice in a specified newspaper for a period decided by the Referee of Titles. Your Certificate of Title will be issued seven weeks after the first appearance of the advertisement in the newspaper, if no Caveat is lodged against the application and no Court action commenced.