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.
According to Philippine law, the administrative route is an alternative to judicial proceedings, provided that a significant portion of the registry's records were lost due to fire, flood, or other disasters.
Eligibility for Reconstitution
You can file for a reconstitution of title in the Philippines if the original copy kept by the Register of Deeds was lost or destroyed, but you still possess the owner's duplicate copy.
The following documents are reconstitution of title essential for a successful application:
A reconstitution of title verified petition for reconstitution.
The original owner’s copy of the TCT or reconstitution of title philippines OCT.
Official proof that the title was indeed destroyed in the registry.
Evidence of settled property taxes.
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.
Notice: Notice of the petition may be posted or published to ensure there are no adverse claims.
Issuance of Order: If the petition is found to be in order, an Order of Reconstitution will be issued.
Registration: The Register of Deeds will then issue administrative reconstitution of title the reconstituted title, which will have the same legal standing as the original.
Why Professional Guidance is Recommended
While the administrative reconstitution of title is designed to be simpler than a court case, it still involves technical legalities.
Errors in the petition or missing documents can lead to delays or denials.
Conclusion
Securing your property rights through the administrative reconstitution of title is a necessary step if your administrative reconstitution of title records have been compromised.