Change of Name on the Title
Correcting or updating the name on a property title document, including spelling corrections, official name changes, and reconciling registered proprietor particulars.
A name on the title that does not match your current identity card will block a sale, a charge and an estate matter. Common causes are an official change of name, a spelling correction, or a difference in name format between older and newer documents. It has to be reconciled before anything else can proceed.
A mismatch between the name on the title and the name on the current identity card is a problem that tends to surface at the least convenient moment: when an owner wants to sell, to refinance, or when beneficiaries want to deal with an estate.
Common causes
Among the causes we see most often: the name format in older documents differs from the current format, a spelling difference at original registration, or an official change of name after the property was purchased.
Sometimes the difference is small, a single letter. From a land registration standpoint, small or large does not matter. What matters is that the register must clearly show that the registered proprietor and the person dealing with the property are the same.
When it is not simply a name correction
If the discrepancy exists because the property is in fact registered to someone else, or because the registered proprietor has died, this is no longer a name correction. It becomes a transfer or an estate administration matter, with a different process and cost.
A land search at the outset will determine which of the two it is.
What your lawyer handles
- Conducting a land search and identifying the cause of the discrepancy
- Gathering supporting documents proving that the registered proprietor and the applicant are the same person
- Preparing the application and any statutory declaration required
- Filing the application at the land office
- Coordinating with the bank where the title is held in its custody under a charge
- Retrieving the corrected title
Timeline
Documents you need to prepare
- Copy of the current identity card
- Copy of the old identity card if available
- Copy of the title
- Birth certificate or other document showing the original name
- Official change of name documents where applicable
Costs people often overlook
- Legal fees for the application
- Land office filing fee
- Cost of the statutory declaration and document certification
- Service tax of 8% on legal fees
When to stop and get advice first
- The discrepancy exists because the property is actually registered to a different person, not because of a misspelling
- The registered proprietor has died, which makes it an estate matter rather than a name correction
- Supporting documents linking the old and new names cannot be traced
- The title is in the bank's custody and the bank has its own procedure
Frequently asked questions
Why is the name on my title different?
Common causes include a difference in name format in older documents, a spelling correction at the time of original registration, or an official change of name after the property was bought.
Does it stop me selling the house?
Yes. A buyer and a financing bank need certainty that the registered proprietor and the seller are the same person.
How long does it take?
Usually two to four months, depending on the land office workload and how complete the supporting documents are.
How is it different from a transfer?
A name correction does not change ownership. It only reconciles the particulars of the same owner. A transfer moves ownership to a different person.
Ready to start your property matter?
An initial consultation with no obligation. Tell us about your matter and we will explain what is involved and what it is likely to cost.
No. 4, Jalan Setia Impian U13/3D, Setia Impian 3, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
014-9723468 · 014-4004293 · Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm