Property
Title by Registration Act with a state-guaranteed register
Dominica operates a Torrens-style system under the Title by Registration Act, in which the registered certificate of title is conclusive evidence of ownership. Transfers are effected by registered deed and take effect on registration, not on execution. Non-nationals acquiring land above a threshold require an alien landholding licence, and the citizenship by investment programme channels much foreign acquisition through approved real estate projects.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National land register administered by the Registrar of Titles
- Deadline — Alien landholding licence: obtained before completion of the purchase
- Deadline — Stamp duty and transfer fees: paid on registration of the transfer
- Deadline — Compulsory acquisition: compensation claim filed within the period in the notice
Governing law
- Title by Registration Act
- Alien Landholding Regulation Act
- Land Acquisition Act
- Registration of Titles Act
In practice
Because the register is conclusive, a purchaser who registers in good faith takes free of most unregistered interests, which makes a search of the register the decisive step in conveyancing rather than a chain of historic deeds. Overriding interests are narrow but real, and short leases and public rights of way can bind a purchaser without appearing on the title.