Buying a property in Ontario is a huge milestone—whether it’s your first home, a cottage by the lake, or a commercial space for your business. But before you sign anything, there’s one crucial step you should never skip: doing a land title search.
A land title search in Ontario helps you confirm who owns the property, what debts or liens are attached to it, and whether there are any restrictions that might affect your ownership. In simple terms, it’s like checking the “history” of the land before you buy it.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to do a title search in Ontario, what documents you’ll need, and where to get reliable information. We’ll also answer some of the most common questions people have about land title searches — and even walk you through an example of registering a corporation and linking it to a property search.
What Is a Land Title Search?
A land title search (or property title search Ontario) is a legal check that shows the official record of ownership for a piece of property. It’s maintained by the Land Registry Office (LRO) under the Ontario government’s ServiceOntario system.
Consider it as verifying the car history report for the used car prior to purchasing it. The title search informs you:
- Who the owner is now.
- If there are any mortgages or registered liens against the land.
- If there are restrictions or easements, i.e., such as rights of way or utility access.
- The property’s legal description and PIN (Property Identification Number).
Why Is a Land Title Search Important?
Performing a land title search Ontario isn’t just a formality—it’s protection. Here’s why:
- It confirms legal ownership. You’ll know for sure the person selling the property is the rightful owner.
- It reveals financial obligations. Any mortgage or lien must be cleared before you can take ownership.
- It helps avoid boundary disputes. The title includes the exact legal dimensions of the property.
- It prevents fraud. You’ll know if someone is trying to sell property that isn’t truly theirs.
If you’re planning to invest in property under a new business name or corporation, it’s also a must to ensure your company’s assets are secure and legally protected.
Where Can You Do a Land Title Search in Ontario?
You can perform a property title search Ontario in several ways:
1. Through ServiceOntario
ServiceOntario operates the OnLand website — Ontario’s official land registration platform. It allows you to search for property ownership details online.
There, you can:
- Search for a property by address, PIN, or legal description.
- View historical ownership records.
- Order certified copies of land title documents.
Note: Some records are free to view, while others may require a small fee. If you’re searching for free title search Ontario, OnLand gives limited free previews, but full documents require payment.
2. Visit a Local Land Registry Office
If you prefer in-person assistance, you can visit a Land Registry Office in your area. Staff can help you locate records, print title documents, or assist with complex searches.
3. Get Land Title Search Online
Our professional land search agents can conduct the Ontario title search on your behalf. All you need to do is:
- Open incorporationagency.ca website
- Choose the “Additional Support” in the upper menu bar.
- Under additional support pick the “Land Title Search” option.
- Fill out a simple online form.
- Complete the payment.
- We will email the Land Title Search to you within the hours.
While this comes with a service fee, professionals ensure that nothing is missed.
Step-by-Step: How to Do a Title Search in Ontario
Let’s break it down in a few easy steps so you can confidently do your own land title search Ontario.
Step 1: Gather Property Details
Before you start, you’ll need at least one of the following:
- The property address
- The Property Identification Number (PIN) — a 9-digit code found on tax bills or land documents
- The legal description of the property
Step 2: Go to the Canada Incorporation Agency Website
Head over to incorporationagency.ca — Ontario’s official platform for business registration and land title searches.
Step 3: Choose Your Search
Click on “Additional Support” in the menu and select:
- Land Title Search
Step 4: Provide Your Information
You’ll need to provide the following information, including:
- Owner’s name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Description
Step 5: Purchase the Title
Click on “Proceed to checkout” and complete the payment. You can pay with debit or credit card, also with PayPal. After the payment is complete we will send a confirmation email.
Step 6: Receive the Report
We are going to email the Land Title Search Report to you within a few business hours to a few business days.
Can You Do a Free Title Search in Ontario?
Many people search online for a free title search Ontario, but here’s the truth:
There’s no way to get complete title information for free, because these are official government records.
When Should You Do a Land Title Search?
Here are the most common times when people perform an Ontario property title search:
- Before buying or selling a property.
- Before incorporating a business that will own real estate.
- During mortgage refinancing.
- When resolving boundary disputes or inheritance issues.
- When verifying ownership for family or investment purposes.
The Link Between Title Search and Incorporation
If you’re registering a corporation, you should know how the ownership of property fits into your corporation structure.
When you incorporate in Ontario, your company becomes a legal person — i.e., it can own assets, enter into agreements, and borrow funds in its own capacity. But to register the property under the corporation, you’ll first need to verify ownership and clear title through a land title search Ontario.
This ensures that your business:
- Legally owns the land or building it occupies.
- Prevents future legal conflict.
- Has up-to-date property facts for accounting and tax intents.
Example: When “GreenLeaf Cleaning Inc.” incorporated, they purchased a small office space in Mississauga. Their lawyer ran a property title search Ontario to confirm ownership and register the property under the company’s name. This made the transaction fully compliant with Ontario’s land registration laws.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long does a title search take in Ontario?
If you’re using Canada Incorporation Agency, you can complete the search in a few hours. However, if you order official documents, it might take 1–3 business days to receive them electronically.
2. Can I do a land title search by myself?
Yes! Anyone can do a land title search Ontario using the Canada Incorporation Agency website. You don’t need a lawyer unless the transaction is complex or involves commercial property.
3. Is there a way to get a free title search in Ontario?
You can view basic property information for free on OnLand, but full ownership and lien details require a paid document request.
4. What is the difference between a title search and title insurance?
A title search checks the history and current ownership of the property, while title insurance protects you financially if there are errors or fraud in the title records.
5. Do I need a title search when buying a condo?
Yes, condos also have titles! A property title search Ontario will show ownership and any registered mortgages on the condo unit.
Final Thoughts
Conducting a land title search in Ontario is one of the smartest things you can do prior to purchasing property or registering it in the name of your business. It’s fast, cheap, and can prevent big legal headaches in the future.
Whether you’re an individual buyer or a new entrepreneur registering your corporation, take the time to verify your property’s title. You can do it yourself on incorporationagency.ca, give us a call at 647-945-8893 and we will email your Land Title Search within a few hours.
