OCT vs TCT in the Philippines: Key Differences Guide

What Is the Difference Between Original Certificate of Title and Transfer Certificate of Title

When buying or inheriting land in the Philippines, there are two types of land titles that often come up. That being said, many Filipinos still wonder what OCT and TCT mean and why they are important. Understanding their differences is crucial to avoid scams, ensure legal ownership, and secure your property investment. Read on to learn what are these types of land titles and how to differentiate them.

​What is an OCT?

An Original Certificate of Title is the very first title issued to a parcel of land when it is registered under the Torrens System. Think of it as the birth certificate of land ownership. OCTs are usually issued when public land is converted into private ownership, and land is registered for the first time under the Land Registration Authority. Because it is the mother title, all future titles for that land must trace their legitimacy back to the OCT.

What is a TCT?

A Transfer Certificate of Title is issued whenever land ownership changes hands. It happens after a sale, inheritance, donation, partition, or subdivision. In short, the TCT is a child title that replaces the old OCT or TCT. The canceled title is recorded in the Registry of Deeds, and the new TCT reflects the name of the current owner. For example, if a family sells their property, the buyer will be issued a new TCT in their name while the seller’s old title is canceled.

​Key Differences of OCT vs TCT

In comparison, here are the key differences to take note when determining whether you’re holding an original title or a transfer title:

• An OCT is issued when land is first registered while a TCT is given after a sale, inheritance, or transfer.
  
  
• The OCT is the mother title while the TCT is the child title derived from the original version.
  
  
• In terms of importance, OCTs are the basis of ownership history while TCTs show continuity of ownership.
  

Knowing these differences is important because it can protect you from fake titles, double sales, or fraudulent transactions. When buying a property in the Philippines, it’s not enough to just see the TCT but you also need to check if it traces back to a valid OCT. For inheritance cases, subdividing land requires issuing new TCTs to heirs, each linked to the mother title. Without this proper chain, ownership can be questioned.

​Final Thoughts

In Philippine real estate, the OCT is the foundation, while the TCT is the continuation of ownership. Both are vital in proving land ownership for Filipinos planning to buy, inherit, or subdivide properties. It’s an essential tool when verifying the title with the Registry of Deeds to avoid future disputes. Therefore, understanding OCT vs TCT is not just legal jargon, but it’s your protection against costly mistakes in case you want to invest in a property. You can visit REALS.PH, if you have similar questions about property ownership. The website also contains the current listings for house and lot in Baguio City and other cities nationwide