Help and FAQ
Spanish Land Registry Property Searches
What is a Nota Simple?
It's a dynamic, non-certified extract of the Spanish Land Registry records including details on the property, ownership and charges at the time it was requested. It's also called Search Report, Extract, Excerpt, Title Register or Nota Simple Informativa. At our homepage there is detailed content information and examples of Nota Simple. It's generated in real time so its contents can change each minute, although changes are not recorded immediately and warning annotations are listed when there are pending documents.
Who issues a Nota Simple?
Nota Simple is issued by the Land Registry where the property is registered. There are more than 1,000 Land Registries in Spain. Large cities have many Land Registry offices, whereas small ones share one Land Registry. The extracts are issued using an internal Land Registry software that keeps record of all property changes. The original document is always in Spanish language.
How can I get a Nota Simple?
You can visit the local Land Registry office and ask for it over the counter, use the official Land Registry website or use our land registry search service which is convenient and also includes official English translation and cadastre extract.
Who can request a Nota Simple?
Everyone can request for it as long there is legitimate interest. However, the Land Registrar has the right to deny any request.
What are the main uses of a Nota Simple?
The main use is to verify the property details and ownership when buying or selling a property, obtaining a property-backed loan or issuing or defending from a claim related to the property.
These extracts are not certified and are not valid to be used in a court
Is there a certified version of the Land Registry extract?
Yes, it's called Certificación, and it's very similar in format and contents with the main difference being it can be used in a court. It takes longer to be issued since it has to be signed by the Land Registrar
How accurate is the Land Registry search report or Nota Simple?
Accuracy is inversely proportional to the age of the property. As in the UK, registering a property in the Land Registry is not mandatory according to the law, nor are the changes to it. In Spain there are many properties with outdated descriptions. In case of apartments and flats, descriptions are usually more accurate since boundaries are well defined.
When there are loans involved, many banks consider the property only as it's described in the Land Registry, regardless of further improvements or extensions the owners have made over the years
Is it possible to update the Land Registry details?
Yes, you can update the Land Registry records to reflect the current reality of the property. Usually this involves ordering a certified technical report, creating a newly built deed at a public notary and filing it to the Land Registry.