How Canadian Property Records Work
Unlike the United States, where each county maintains its own recorder of deeds, Canada organizes property records at the provincial / territorial level. Each province (and each territory) operates its own land-titles or land-registry system. Most are based on the Torrens title system, which guarantees title rather than simply recording claims. A few jurisdictions — notably Quebec and parts of the Maritimes — still operate older registry-style systems alongside newer online platforms.
This means that to search property ownership, mortgage data, or encumbrances, you must go to the province where the property is located, not a country-wide database.
Provincial & Territorial Land Registries
Click any province or territory for its dedicated SearchSystems page with additional resources beyond land records:
| Province / Territory | Registry / Platform | Typical Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | SPIN II / Alberta Land Titles | ~$10 CAD per title search | Subscription account required for online search; walk-in access at Land Titles offices. |
| British Columbia | LTSA (Land Title & Survey Authority) myLTSA | $13 CAD per title | Account required; includes parcel maps, title summaries, and historical plans. |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Land Titles / Teranet Manitoba | ~$12 CAD per title | Online search via TPR (The Property Registry). |
| New Brunswick | Service New Brunswick — Land Registry | $5 CAD per search + certificate fees | PLANET system online. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Registry of Deeds | Varies; mostly in-person | Limited online search; in-person or mail requests at St. John's registry. |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Land Registry (LROS) | ~$9 CAD per title | LROS (Land Registration Online System); account required. |
| Ontario | Teranet ONLAND | $34 CAD per title (varies) | Electronic land-registry system; guest access for many record types. |
| Prince Edward Island | Corporate Registry / Registry of Deeds | In-person preferred | Limited online access; queries handled by Access PEI. |
| Quebec | Registre foncier du Québec | $1 CAD per consultation | Free index search; ~$1 to view individual document images. |
| Saskatchewan | ISC (Information Services Corporation) | Varies by search type | SaskSurfs online; subscription for bulk access. |
| Northwest Territories | Land Titles Office — Yellowknife | Fees posted; mostly in-person | Small jurisdiction; call ahead for search requests. |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Land Titles | In-person at Iqaluit | Limited online service. |
| Yukon | Yukon Land Titles Office | Varies | Limited online search; mostly in-person or by mail. |
Common Search Types
Title search
Shows the current registered owner, legal description, any mortgages/charges, and plan references. Most provinces charge a per-title fee ($5–$35 CAD).
Parcel / PIN lookup
By parcel identifier number (PIN). Used when you have the parcel ID from a tax bill or municipal assessment.
Historical / chain of title
All prior transfers of the parcel. Most registries keep digital records back to roughly 1990–2000 and scanned images for earlier periods.
Plans & survey
Subdivision plans, reference plans, condominium plans. Usually included in land-registry fee.
Important Notice
Canadian land-registry data is publicly searchable but governed by each province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) law. Commercial bulk use and resale is restricted in most provinces. Always use records from the official registry rather than aggregator sites. SearchSystems does not host Canadian land data — we link you to the province where the record is maintained.