The land registration system in the
Northwest Territories is based on the Torrens system
of land
registration. The Land Titles Act establishes the
system of registration of title to
privately owned lands, as
well as providing for the officials to operate the system,
and the
records that are to be maintained by them. Under
this system, the Government has
custody of all original
documents, titles and plans of survey and is responsible for
the validity
and security of all registered land title
information.
The Act permits the filing of plans of survey
of Crown lands and the subsequent registration
of a grant from
the Crown to a person or entity. Following registration of the
grant, the
Registrar will issue a certificate of title to the
new owner. Subject to certain listed exceptions,
the certificate
is conclusive proof of the ownership of the land. In addition to
the Land Titles Act, a number of other Acts are important
to the operation of the Land Titles Office,
in particular the
Condominium Act and the Mechanics' Lien Act.
The Land Titles Office also registers
transfers of ownership, mortgages, leases, easements, caveats,
powers of attorney, writs of execution, mechanics' liens, plans
of subdivision and
condominiums. All legal documents and plans
submitted to the Land Titles Office are
reviewed by the staff,
to ensure that they comply with the Land Titles Act and
other applicable
legislation, case law, policies and procedures
before being accepted for registration.
An assurance fund is established under the
Land Titles Act to compensate those who are
deprived of
their rightful interest in land as a result of the operation of
the Act, or
errors by the officials administering the Act.
All registered documents, plans and titles
maintained in the Land Titles Office are available
for
inspection by the public.
For more information, please contact:
Land Titles Office
First Floor, Stuart M. Hodgson Building
5009 – 49th Street
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Phone: (867) 873-7491
Toll Free: (877) 743-3301
Fax: (867) 873-0243
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