How to Get a Copy of Your Title Deed in South Africa

You do not need to queue at a Deeds Office to get a copy of a title deed. Whether you have lost your own, need one for a sale or bond, or want to see the deed on a property before you buy, you can order it online and have the PDF in hand the same day. Here is exactly how it works on DeedsCheck.

What you need to find the deed

You can locate a property's title deed from any one of these:

• The street address;
• The owner's name; or
• The erf (or section) number — see understanding erf numbers if you are not sure what yours is.

You do not need the title deed number itself — the search finds it for you.

Step 1 — Confirm the deed is on file (from R55)

Start with a Property Document Search. For R55 it returns the list of registry documents recorded against the property — including the title deed — so you know the exact document is available before you pay to retrieve it. This is the step that saves you ordering a document that turns out not to be on file.

Good to know: the R55 you pay here is credited toward your title deed copy, so the search is not an extra cost — it is the first part of the same order.

Step 2 — Order your title deed copy (R640)

Once the search confirms the deed is available, order the Title Deed Copy (R640). You receive the actual title deed as a PDF — the same document the Deeds Office holds — delivered as soon as payment clears. No appointment, no collection, no waiting for the post.

Why people order it here instead of going in person

The official route exists, but it means registering for an account, working through a conveyancer-oriented portal, and waiting. DeedsCheck is built for the person who just wants the document:

• Instant — delivered on payment, not in days;
• No login or registration — search, pay, download;
• Plain English — no legal jargon or registry codes to decode;
• One price, all fees included — registry retrieval costs are built in, paid securely by card or EFT.

When you will need a copy

A copy of the title deed is usually needed when you sell, register or cancel a bond, wind up a deceased estate, resolve a boundary or servitude question, or simply replace one you have mislaid. In each case the conditions recorded on the deed — servitudes, restrictions, the exact property description — are what matter, so having the actual document rather than a summary is what counts.

Get your copy now

Search the property and confirm the deed in under a minute: start a Property Document Search, then order the copy. You can also look up who owns a property or check the transfer history while you are there.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a copy of a title deed cost?

The title deed copy is R640. You first run a Property Document Search (R55) to confirm the deed is on file, and that R55 is credited toward the copy, so the search is not an additional charge.

How long does it take to get the copy?

It is delivered as a PDF as soon as your payment clears — usually within minutes. There is no appointment or collection step.

Do I need the title deed number to order one?

No. You can search by street address, owner name or erf number, and the search finds the title deed for you.

Is the online copy the same as the one from the Deeds Office?

Yes. You receive the same registered title deed document that the Deeds Office holds, delivered to you as a PDF.

Can I get a copy of someone else's title deed?

Yes. Title deed information is part of the public deeds record, so you can order a copy for any property — which is exactly why buyers check a deed before making an offer.