Queensland property buyers and owners frequently encounter two documents that sound similar but serve different purposes: the Record of Title and the Certificate of Title. Understanding the distinction matters more than most people realise — because one of them is the official record, and the other is a convenient summary that can be wrong.
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Which TitleFinder product matches this check?
Use the article as a reference, then order the actual record below when you need evidence for a purchase, conveyancing file, council check or due-diligence review.
Current Title / State Lease
Start here to confirm the current registered owner, title reference and registered interests.
$74.50 · Order this document
Image of Survey Plan (SP/RP)
Add the plan if boundaries, lot layout, easements or strata/common property matter.
$85.90 · Order this document
Not sure which document fits? Start with the current title search, then add the plan or instrument if the title points to one.
What Is a Certificate of Title in Queensland?
A Certificate of Title (CT) is a document issued by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines (now Resources Queensland) that describes a parcel of land. It shows the lot number, plan number, the registered proprietor (owner), and any encumbrances currently noted against the title.
Think of it as a photograph of your property's legal status at a point in time. When you buy property in Queensland, the CT is your evidence of ownership. It lists what the title looks like right now — who owns it, what mortgages are on it, what easements run with it, and what covenants bind it.
When you conduct a title search with TitleFinder, the Current Title search ($74.50 AUD) delivers exactly this document — an official, up-to-date extract from the Queensland land registry.
What Is a Record of Title?
A Record of Title is the official digital record held in the Queensland Land Registry. Under the Land Title Act 1994 (Qld), the land registry maintains a register — not a physical document — and what you receive when you order a title search is a printed extract from that register.
In practice, the terms "Certificate of Title" and "Record of Title" are used interchangeably in Queensland. But technically, the register is the Record of Title; the paper printout is the Certificate of Title. Both contain the same information because they derive from the same source.
Where the distinction becomes critical is when the CT says one thing and the register says another — and the register always wins. If a mortgage has been discharged but your paper CT hasn't been updated, it's the register that reflects reality. This is why your conveyancer always verifies against the live register, not just the document you hold.
Why the Difference Actually Matters
When you're buying property, you need a Current Title search to see the present state of the register. But if you're investigating historical dealings — perhaps there's a long-expired lease you want to understand, or a dealing that was registered decades ago — you need a Historical Title search ($86.50 AUD).
A Historical Title search shows the title as it appeared at a past date, including dealings that may since have been removed or superseded. This matters in complex transactions, deceased estates, or properties with a long and complicated ownership history.
What About Images of the Certificate of Title?
If your property has a pre-1994 Certificate of Title (the old-style paper document), you can order an Image of Certificate of Title ($76.90 AUD). Before the digital register was established in 1994, Queensland operated a paper-based land registration system. Some older titles still reference these original instruments. Obtaining the image helps you trace the full chain of title for historical properties.
When Do You Need Each Document?
For standard property purchases, refinancing, or vendor disclosure, a Current Title search is the standard requirement. Your lender will require one before settling a mortgage. Your conveyancer will order one as part of their due diligence.
For heritage properties, deceased estates, or properties where historical covenants or easements are suspected, a Historical Title search — or ordering the original Certificate of Title image — provides the full picture.
TitleFinder provides both services online, with results typically delivered within minutes for standard searches, and same-day for rush orders when your transaction timeline requires speed.
Key Takeaways
- The Record of Title is the official Queensland Land Registry digital record — it is always authoritative.
- The Certificate of Title is the printed extract from that register — accurate in normal circumstances, but superseded by the live register if discrepancies exist.
- A Current Title search gives you today's title snapshot for your property transaction.
- A Historical Title search shows past title states, essential for complex or older properties.
- Order images of pre-1994 Certificates of Title separately when investigating historical title chains.
Understanding whether you're looking at a current record or a historical one — and which document you actually need — is fundamental to making confident property decisions in Queensland. TitleFinder makes both accessible online, without the delay of visiting a Titles Office in person.