Does Having the Original Title Deed Speed Up a Property Transfer?


Does Having the Original Title Deed Speed Up a Property Transfer?
✅ When it helps:

If the title deed is lost, the seller needs to apply for a duplicate, which involves an affidavit and a waiting period (usually 6–8 weeks or more).

👉 So if you already have it, you're avoiding that delay.

Some banks (in cash sales or fully paid-off bonds) might require the original deed before finalizing certain parts of the process.

⚖️ But the key factors that affect speed are:
  • How quickly both parties sign documents.
  • Whether there’s a bond cancellation or new bond registration involved.
  • How efficient the attorneys are.
  • Delays at the Deeds Office (which is common).

⏱️ So in short:

Having the title deed can prevent delays but doesn’t necessarily speed up the transfer unless a missing deed would have held things up.
• S H A R E •