Search certificate
A DLS certificate showing a property's registered owner and any mortgages, prohibitions or other charges. Sellers must attach a recent one to every sale contract.
Updated 12 Oct 2026How it works
A search certificate (Πιστοποιητικό Έρευνας) is issued by the Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS) under section 51A of Cap. 224. It shows what the Land Registry holds on a property: the registered owner and, in the fuller version, the encumbrances and prohibitions, such as mortgages, memos and deposited sale contracts.
Only the owner, a person holding the owner's power of attorney, or a lawyer can apply, in one of three ways:
- online on the DLS Portal, signing in with CY Login: after payment through JCC the certificate is generated as a PDF, which is an unofficial copy; if you order a sealed official certificate, the District Land Office posts it;
- in person at any District Land Office, with form N50;
- by email to a District Land Office, paying through a JCC link.
For one property, the fee is €10 for a simple certificate and €15 for one with encumbrances and prohibitions.
Under Law 132(I)/2023, the seller must attach a search certificate to every sale contract signed from 12 December 2023, dated within five working days of the contract. After a transitional period that ended on 16 May 2026, the DLS can fine sellers who do not, from €500 to €10,000 depending on the price.
Why it matters when you buy
In 2026 the DLS stopped informing buyers about mortgages and other encumbrances when a contract is lodged. The search certificate is now the main way to see them, and you need it before you sign. Check that the owner named is the seller, and look for mortgages, prohibitions and earlier deposited contracts.