Free Property Document Guides on This Blog
Each guide below explains the required recitals, taxes, and registration steps for Philippine property transactions, and includes a free sample. Pick the document you need:
How Property Documents Get Registered in the Philippines
For a transfer of registered land to bind the world (and not just the parties), it generally has to be:
- Notarized — the deed becomes a public document executed before a notary public
- Taxes paid — capital gains/withholding tax, documentary stamp tax, and transfer tax settled with the BIR and the local treasurer
- Registered — presented to the Registry of Deeds for issuance of a new title or annotation of the transaction
Getting the document itself right — correct parties, technical description, consideration, and notarial block — is the first step that everything else depends on.
Why Generate Instead of Reusing an Old Deed
- Correct recitals — title number, technical description, and consideration in the right places
- No leftover data — each generation starts fresh, so a prior buyer or property never slips through
- Proper notarial block — acknowledgment, venue, and notarial register fields ready for the notary
- Preview before printing — see exactly what the parties and notary will sign
Generate Philippine Property Documents with Legalia
Choose your deed, mortgage, or lease, fill the fields, and get a properly formatted Philippine document in minutes. Sign up free to get started.
Start Generating FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Do real estate documents in the Philippines have to be notarized?
Yes for most. A deed of sale, mortgage, donation, or assignment involving registered land must be notarized to become a public document and to be registered with the Registry of Deeds so it binds third parties. A lease may be notarized for stronger evidentiary value, and leases longer than one year affecting registered land should be registered.
What taxes apply when selling real property in the Philippines?
A sale of real property typically involves capital gains tax (or creditable withholding tax), documentary stamp tax, transfer tax, and registration fees. The exact rates and who pays depend on the transaction; consult the BIR and your local treasurer's office, and have a lawyer review significant transfers.
What is the difference between a Deed of Absolute Sale and a Contract to Sell?
A Deed of Absolute Sale transfers ownership immediately upon execution and full payment. A Contract to Sell reserves ownership with the seller until the buyer completes payment — common for installment purchases — and is governed by the Maceda Law (RA 6552) for residential real estate.
Do I need a paid plan to generate these property documents?
The guides and samples here are free to read. Generating these documents requires a paid plan: deeds of sale, contract to sell, mortgages, lease, assignment, and the affidavits of ownership are on Pro, while the Deed of Donation is on Ultra. Legalia's free plan covers affidavits, the Sworn Statement, and the Acknowledgment Receipt.