Buying property in the Philippines is one of the largest financial decisions most families will ever make — and the Deed of Absolute Sale is the document that makes it real. Before you sign anything, verify that the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) is clean and matches the seller's ID.
Verify the title first
Request a Certified True Copy of the title from the Registry of Deeds. Confirm the technical description, encumbrances at the back page, and check for any adverse claims or lis pendens annotations.
What happens after signing
Once verified, the Deed must be notarized. Your lawyer then processes the Capital Gains Tax and Documentary Stamp Tax with the BIR within 30 days, followed by transfer at the Registry of Deeds and tax declaration update at the City Assessor.
- Notarize the Deed of Absolute Sale
- File Capital Gains Tax & Documentary Stamp Tax with the BIR (within 30 days)
- Transfer title at the Registry of Deeds
- Update the tax declaration at the City Assessor
Skipping any of these steps can delay ownership by months. Work with a property lawyer who has closed similar deals in your city — timelines vary dramatically between LGUs.
