Title check 101: TCT vs CCT and how to confirm ownership

The land title is the single most important document in any Philippine property deal. Two you will meet most often:

TCT — Transfer Certificate of Title

Issued for land (and house-and-lot). It records the registered owner, the lot's technical description, and any annotations (mortgages, liens, adverse claims).

CCT — Condominium Certificate of Title

Issued for a condominium unit. It covers the unit plus an undivided share in the common areas.

How to confirm a title is genuine

• Request a Certified True Copy from the Registry of Deeds and compare it to the owner's copy.
• Check the annotations page for unpaid mortgages or claims.
• Confirm the registered name matches the seller's ID, or that an SPA authorizes them.
• Verify real estate taxes (tax declaration / tax clearance) are paid.