How to verify a title deed at the land registry in Syria
Before you pay any deposit, confirm for yourself that the property is registered in the seller's name and free of mortgages, seizures and lawsuits. Here are the steps from start to finish.
What to ask the seller for
Ask for a copy of the title deed (tabu) and the ID of the registered owner. Compare the full name and the property numbers (plot and cadastral zone) between the deed and the ID. If the seller is an agent, ask for the original power of attorney and check that it specifically allows a sale and is still valid.
The registry extract: the document that matters
The document that protects you is a recent registry extract from the General Directorate of Cadastral Affairs (the land registry) in the governorate. Anyone can request it with the property number. It shows the current owner, their share, the type of property and, most importantly, any notes recorded on the property sheet: a mortgage, a precautionary or executive seizure, a pending lawsuit, or a right of use held by someone else.
Get the extract dated as close as possible to the day you sign the preliminary contract, because a note can be recorded at any time. An extract that is weeks old is not enough.
What to check on the extract
First, the owner's name matches the seller or the person who gave them power of attorney. Second, the share on offer is the full registered share: some properties are held in shares by several heirs, and one of them cannot sell the whole. Third, the sheet has no notes, or any existing note will be lifted before the transfer, in your presence. Fourth, the description (apartment, land, size, floor) matches what you saw on site.
When to pay the deposit
Pay nothing before you have seen and checked a recent extract. When you do pay, pay against a written preliminary sale contract that states the property number, the full price, what was paid, the date of the transfer at the competent office, and what happens to the deposit if either side withdraws. Ideally sign it before a notary or with a lawyer present.
Frequently asked questions
Can I request a registry extract for a property I do not own?
Yes. The extract is a public document requested with the property number at the governorate's land registry, and you do not need the owner's permission.
The seller says the deed is 'being registered'. Should I buy?
Do not pay before the registration is complete and an extract exists in their name. A promise of imminent registration is not a guarantee.
These guides are general information based on common practice, not legal advice. Procedures and fees change and differ between governorates, so consult a lawyer before any payment.