Certified Extract from the Land Register: Duration, Procedure & Costs at a Glance

Introduction

A certified land register excerpt is an essential document that plays a central role in many legal and financial processes. It serves as binding proof of the current ownership status and any encumbrances on a property.

The certification ensures that the information contained in the excerpt is authentic and complete, which is particularly important in real estate transactions and financing matters.

Why is a certified land register excerpt so important?

1. Ensuring legal certainty in real estate transactions
   When selling a property, a certified land register excerpt is often indispensable. It confirms that the seller is the lawful owner of the property and that there are no unexpected encumbrances such as mortgages or land charges that could complicate or prevent the sale. Without this proof, uncertainties could arise that could lead to legal disputes or the failure of the sale.
2. Building trust with buyers and lenders
   Buyers and financial institutions rely on the authenticity of the information contained in the land register excerpt. A certified excerpt provides security, as it is considered an official document for the legal status of a property. This is especially important when the property is used as collateral for a loan. Financial institutions therefore often require a certified land register excerpt to ensure that there are no hidden risks that could reduce the value of the property.
3. Avoiding legal complications
   Without a certified land register excerpt, undiscovered encumbrances or ownership claims could emerge later, leading to legal complications. The certification protects all parties involved by ensuring that all information is current and legally binding.
4. Tip: You can now conveniently start this notarization process online from home and receive the document within 24 hours.

Who can request an extract from the land register?

An extract from the land register can be requested by any person or institution with a legitimate interest, for example:

• Owners of the property
• Buyers or sellers of the property
• Banks or other financial institutions
• Lawyers or notaries
• Courts or authorities

To request a land register excerpt, the person or institution usually needs to provide specific details about the property, such as the land register number, the property address, and the owner's name. In Germany, land register excerpts can be requested through the land registry office of the relevant municipality or city, or via a notary.

I. What information does a certified land register excerpt contain?

A certified land register excerpt is an official copy of the land register sheet, on which the owners and encumbrances of a property are recorded. It contains detailed information about the property in question and serves as proof of its owner and encumbrances.

The certified land register excerpt usually contains the following information:

• The name and address of the owner of the property
• The type of ownership (e.g. ownership, hereditary building right, lease) and the extent of ownership (e.g. sole, co-ownership)
• The type of property (e.g., apartment, house, commercial property) and its area
• The location of the property (e.g., street, house number, district)
• The entries in the land register, e.g., transfers of ownership, mortgages, encumbrances, liens, easements
• The official designation of the land register (e.g., land registry office, file reference, sheet number)

A certified land register extract is usually required for real estate purchases or sales to ensure that the seller is actually the owner of the property and that there are no encumbrances or third-party rights that could affect the purchase. Here you can learn more about the process of buying a house with a notary. It may also be required for financing a property to show the lender the securities that the property offers.

A certified land register extract is issued by a notary or a land registry office and contains an official certification stating that the extract is a true copy of the land register sheet.

II. When is it necessary to use a certified land register extract?

• A certified land register extract is required in certain situations, such as when selling or buying a property or applying for a loan for real estate. In such cases, it is important to present an official copy of the land register extract to confirm the ownership and associated rights and obligations.
• A certified land register extract is issued by a notary or another authorized office and contains an accurate listing of the entries in the land register. This extract is generally more comprehensive than an uncertified extract and includes, in addition to the property data, information on possible encumbrances such as mortgages or land charges.
• A certified land register extract is therefore necessary if you need an official copy of the entries in the land register to confirm your rights and obligations related to a property. In certain cases, such as when issuing a general power of attorney with a notary, the certified land register extract is also required to clearly define the rights and obligations related to a property.

What is the structure and content of a land register extract?

A land register extract is usually divided into several sections that represent different aspects of the property and ownership. The exact number and type of sections can vary depending on the country and region, but generally, a land register extract contains the following sections:

• The main section: This section lists basic information about the property, such as the address, land register number, and the name of the owner.
• The annotations: This section lists encumbrances and restrictions that burden the property, such as easements, real burdens, or public encumbrances.
• The value section: This section lists the current values of the property, such as the market value or the standard land value.
• The encumbrance section: This section lists all legal transactions recorded in the land register, such as purchase agreements, gifts, or encumbrances through mortgages.

The land register extract may also contain other sections that provide specific information on certain aspects of the property, such as the parcel section or the section for uses and rights.

III. Steps to certify a land register extract

Obtaining a certified land register extract is an essential step when buying property. There are different ways to apply for this extract, depending on what is most convenient for you.

1. Application to the Land Registry Office of the Local Court

The traditional route is through the Land Registry Office of the responsible Local Court. To submit the application, you will need:

• Land register sheet or property identification number
• Possibly the name of the owner

You can submit the application in writing, by phone, or in person at the Land Registry Office. Note that processing times may vary depending on the authority.

2. Online order for a certified land register extract

An increasingly popular and convenient alternative is the online order of a certified land register extract. We offer this service. The process is very simple:

• Fill out the appropriate online form
• Provide the necessary information such as the land register sheet or property identification number and the name of the owner
• The certified land register extract will then be sent to you by post

This method saves time and the hassle of visiting the local court. With our service, we guarantee that you will get your document certified back within 24 hours.

Validity period and costs

A certified land register extract is usually valid for three months. Therefore, you should apply for it shortly before your planned property purchase, sale, or rental to ensure that the information is up-to-date.

The costs for a certified land register extract vary depending on the federal state and the land registry office. By using certified.de, you can make this process not only more convenient but also transparent and cost-effective.

What documents are needed?

To obtain a certified land register extract, you usually need the uncertified land register extract issued by the responsible land registry authority. This extract contains the entries in the land register and is a prerequisite for the issuance of a certified land register extract.

Additionally, depending on the situation, further documents may be required, for example, when selling or buying a property. In such cases, the following documents may be required:

• A purchase contract or other written document confirming the ownership of the property
• Title deed or other document proving ownership of the property
• A mortgage deed or other document showing any encumbrances on the property
• Proof of payment of property taxes or other amounts due in connection with the property

This list is not exhaustive and may vary depending on the situation. It is therefore advisable to inform yourself in advance from the responsible land registry authority or a notary about the exact requirements.

Where can you apply for a certified land register extract?

You can apply for a certified land register extract at:

1. The responsible land registry authority
2. A notary - on average 2-3 weeks
3. Another authorized office that offers the issuance of certified documents
4. Online notary at certified.de - Max 24 hours

Typically, you must first apply for an uncertified land register extract from the competent land registry office. This extract contains the entries in the land register and is a prerequisite for the issuance of a certified land register extract. Once you have received the uncertified extract, you can have it notarized by a notary or another authorized office.

It is advisable to inform yourself in advance from the competent land registry office or a notary about the exact requirements and steps for applying for a certified land register extract.

Duration of Land Registry Entry

The land registry entry is an essential step in recording all relevant information about a property in the land register. But how long does this process take?

Factors Affecting the Duration

The duration of a land registry entry can vary and depends on several factors:

• Extent and Complexity of the Procedure: The more detailed and complicated the case, the more time the land registry office needs.
• Responsible land registry office: Different land registry offices have different processing times.
• Current Workload of the Office: Especially under high demand, delays can occur.

In general, you should expect a processing time of several weeks. However, it may be helpful to call the responsible land registry office to get a rough estimate of the current waiting times.

Tips to Speed up the Process

To keep the duration of the land registry entry as short as possible, it is important that all necessary documents are submitted completely and correctly. Errors or missing documents can significantly delay the process. Therefore, it is advisable to ensure that all information is available beforehand.

Another tip: Have your documents certified before you submit them. This increases acceptance and reduces the risk that the land registry office will have questions that could extend the process.

After Completion of the Entry

Once the land registry entry is completed, it is noted in the land register. From this point on, authorized persons can view the entries. Even though the process can take several weeks, thorough preparation ensures that it runs as smoothly as possible.

Here are 10 more tips to ensure a smooth process with a notary and avoid wasting time.

IV. Costs for Notarizing a Land Register Extract

What Influences the Costs?

The costs for notarizing a land register extract vary depending on:

• Length of the Extract: Notaries often charge by lines or pages.
• Additional Services: Translations or the notarization of signatures increase the costs.

Typically, the costs range between 20 and 40 Euros. It is worth comparing different offers to find the cheapest option.

Tips to Reduce Costs

To keep the costs of notarization as low as possible, you should ensure that the land register extract is as short and precise as possible. Avoid additional services that are not absolutely necessary, such as the notarization of translations, unless these are absolutely essential.

Transparency of Fees

Notaries are obliged to communicate their fees transparently. This also applies to the certification of land register extracts. Before the certification begins, you will receive a detailed breakdown of the expected costs. This gives you the assurance that no unexpected fees will arise.

In many cases, it is not only necessary to certify the land register extract, but also other documents such as:

• Assignments in the case of chattel mortgages
• Mortgage and land charge orders
• Rental agreement
• Bank documents

These are all services where we can help you via the links above

V. Differences between a certified and a non-certified land register extract

The main differences at a glance:

Certified land register extract:

• Officially confirmed
• Legally valid proof
• Necessary for legal matters
• Issued only by a notary or a competent authority

Non-certified land register extract:

• Unconfirmed copy
• No official validity
• Cannot be used as evidence
• Can be requested by any citizen at the land registry office

A certified land register extract thus provides higher security and legal binding, especially in situations where the authenticity of the information is crucial. For anyone who wants to be on the safe side, it is advisable to use a certified extract.

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VI. Ways to apply for a certified land register extract online

There are several efficient ways to apply for a certified land register extract online. It is crucial that the extract is current and complete to ensure that no changes have been made to the land register that are not reflected in the extract.

Option 1: Apply directly at the land registry office

A common method is to apply for the land register extract directly at the relevant land registry office. Many local land registry offices now offer an online function through which you can easily apply for and pay for the extract.

After successful application, the certified extract will be sent to you either by post or by email.

Option 2: Use professional online service providers

A particularly simple and convenient option is to use a service provider that specializes in online applications for certified land register extracts. These service providers, such as Beglaubigt.de, work closely with the land registry offices to offer you a smooth and fast service.

As a rule, you will receive your certified extract within a few days, both by post and by email.

Additional advantage: Electronic storage and use

Another major advantage of online applications is the ability to store and use the excerpt electronically. Many providers, including Beglaubigt.de, offer the option to download the certified excerpt as a PDF file.

This is especially useful if you need the excerpt quickly and easily for specific purposes, such as applying for a loan or documenting a real estate sale.

With these options, you can make the process of applying for a certified land register excerpt not only efficient but also secure and convenient.

VII. Tips and Tricks for Quickly and Efficiently Certifying a Land Register Excerpt

To quickly and efficiently certify a land register excerpt, we recommend the following tips and tricks:

1. Ensure that the excerpt is current and complete. An outdated or incomplete excerpt can lead to delays or even rejections.
2. Check if the excerpt has already been certified by a competent authority. In this case, no further certification is required, and you can use the excerpt directly.
3. If the excerpt is not already certified, contact the relevant land registry office or another official body authorized to certify excerpts. In some cases, you can also have the excerpt certified by a notary.
4. Bring all necessary documents, such as a valid ID or a power of attorney, if you want to have the excerpt certified on behalf of another person.
5. Plan enough time to complete the certification. Note that there may be waiting times in some cases, and the process may not be completed immediately. However, you can now get your document certified and returned within 24 hours with beglaubigt.de.
6. Ensure that the certified excerpt is correctly issued and contains all necessary signatures and stamps. If there are any errors or ambiguities, contact the relevant land registry office or the certifying authority to resolve them.
7. Keep the certified excerpt safe and use it only for the purposes for which it was issued. This way, you can ensure that the excerpt remains valid in the future and can be used for all required purposes.

How old can a land register excerpt be to be certified and used in Germany?

A land register excerpt should generally not be older than six months to be certified and used in legal matters in Germany. This is because the ownership or encumbrances of a property can change within a short period.

A current, certified land register excerpt ensures that the information contained therein is up to date and thus legally binding. If the excerpt is older than six months, it may not be accepted by notaries or other institutions because it is considered no longer reliable.

It is therefore advisable to always obtain a current land register excerpt before important transactions or legal proceedings.

List of electronic land registers

To access the electronic land register, you must go through the state portals of the federal states. The access authorization costs a one-time fee of 50 euros, and an additional 8 euros is charged for each sheet from the land register.

• Bavaria
• Baden-Württemberg
• Berlin
• Brandenburg
• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Hessen
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• Lower Saxony
• North Rhine-Westphalia
• Rhineland-Palatinate
• Saarland
• Saxony
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Thuringia

Conclusion and Summary of Land Register Excerpts and Their Certifications

A land register excerpt is an indispensable documentation that provides a comprehensive overview of all relevant information about a property. This includes details such as the owner, encumbrances and burdens, property boundaries, as well as all involved third parties.

For the use of the excerpt in official matters, it is generally required that it be certified.

Certification Options

There are various ways to have a land register excerpt certified:

1. Directly at the land registry office: Traditionally, you can have the certification done directly at the responsible land registry office.
2. Through a notary: Another option is certification through a notary.
3. Online with Beglaubigt.de:
   Fast and uncomplicated: Use our online service to conveniently handle the notarization process from home.
   Without waiting times: No tedious appointment booking – we guarantee certification within 24 hours.
   Legally secure: Your documents will be certified quickly and reliably.

Importance of Certification for Official Purposes

A certified version of the land register excerpt is particularly necessary if the excerpt is to be used for official purposes, such as applying for a loan or for sales and rental documentation of a property. By certifying, you ensure that the excerpt is legally recognized and future-proof so that it can be used at any time for all required purposes.