Death of a property owner

When a property owner listed on a land title dies, you must tell the Land Titles office (LTO). This is so the title can be updated.

Some titles created, before 1 December 2000, don't list the tenancy of owners along with all the names of the owners. It's assumed that 2 or more parties may have held the land as joint tenants.

Sole owner or tenant in common

If the death relates to a sole owner or tenant in common, the executor of the will must apply for probate at the Supreme Court.

To apply, go to the NT Supreme Court website.

The executor must also fill in form 72 - application to register a personal representative on the land titles forms and fees page.

For more information, contact your nearest Land Titles Office.

Joint property owner

If you're a joint property owner and need to update the land title details, read the information below.

Who can apply

All of the surviving joint property owners listed on the title must be included in the application.

You can either submit the application yourself or use a licensed conveyancing agent or solicitor.

How to apply

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Print out on both sides of one piece of paper and fill in the form.

Application to note death by surviving proprietor PDF (38.3 KB)
Application to note death by surviving proprietor DOC (49.5 KB)

Step 2. You must provide the original death certificate as proof of death. This will be sighted and returned to you.

Step 3. You must have your original form signed in front of a qualified witness before taking it to LTO.

Step 4. Attach any duplicate land title certificates, if they have been issued.

Step 5. Submit your original application and documents at your nearest LTO. You must pay the relevant fee.

If the property is mortgaged

If the property is mortgaged, and the land title certificate is with a bank or financial institution, ask them to give it to the legal practitioner, conveyancing agent or equivalent when you lodge your application.

The bank or financial institution may charge a fee to do this.

If there is a different spelling of the name on the title

If the deceased person's name on the death certificate is different to their name on the title, you will need to state in your application that both documents refer to the same person.

For example, you can state that 'Mary Ann Smith' described in the land title certificate is the same person as the 'Mary Anne Smith' described in the death certificate.

After you apply

After you apply, you won't automatically get a new certificate.

Find out how to get a new title certificate.