With respect to the article “Province dictating district duties’ in The Morning Star on June 20, the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) would like to clarify how the public can obtain land title records.
The LTSA offers the public access to its records through a variety of channels.
Copies of records from the LTSA such as land titles, documents or plans can be obtained by using the services of any registry agent in B.C. (consult www.bcapra.org or title services in the Yellow Pages), real property lawyer, notary public, or land surveyor.
Customers can also order titles to land or strata plans online through the myLTSA Explorer service at www.ltsa.ca
The public can also call 1-877-577-5872 to learn how to mail records requests along with payment to the LTSA.
There is no need to physically visit a Land Title Office to obtain records. Records purchased from the LTSA by a local government may be distributed or resold to the public, but the LTSA advises against such practices for two reasons. Land title records are subject to amendment, correction or cancellation for many reasons; for these reasons, reliance on current, up-to-date records is critical.
Requests for land title records are often made in the context of a larger transaction, such as the development of land, the purchase or sale of land, an estate matter, or other matters that raise important legal issues.
In that context, local governments may take on unintended risks by providing land title records search services.
Craig D. Johnston,
Director of land titles,
Land Title and Survey Authority
