First registration of Unregistered Land

Securing title to land and bringing it onto the public register

If your property is still unregistered, you may want or need to bring it onto the Land Registry system – especially when selling, refinancing or resolving issues with title.

Hopkins Solicitors can guide you through the process of voluntary or compulsory first registration, ensuring that your ownership is accurately and securely recorded.

If you own unregistered land, applying for first registration at the Land Registry can give greater clarity and protection. At Hopkins Solicitors, we help guide you through the process efficiently.

What’s Involved

We prepare and submit applications for voluntary or compulsory first registration. Our service typically includes:

• Reviewing historic title deeds – identifying the root of title (the key document in your title deeds that describes the property and proves your ownership) and assembling supporting documents.
• Preparing a full application – including plans, statutory declarations (a sworn statement that may be required in certain circumstances) and legal summaries.
• Liaising with HM Land Registry – responding to requisitions or queries and seeing the process through to completion.
• Advising on any title issues – such as missing deeds, boundaries, rights of way or third-party interests.

First registration is a chance to identify and resolve any issues while creating a clear public record of ownership.

Things to Consider

It’s useful to think about:

• Why register? Voluntary registration can reduce risk, secure your property ownership and legal boundaries, make future transactions easier and protect against fraud.
• Missing documents: If original deeds have been lost or destroyed, we can help you gather secondary evidence and prepare supporting statements.
• Timescales: Land Registry processing can take several months – we’ll help you manage expectations and plan ahead. In some cases, we can assist and support an expedited application.

Let’s get started

If your property is unregistered, get in touch – we’ll help you secure and futureproof your legal ownership.