What Is an Official Copy and How Long Is It Valid?

What Is an Official Copy?

An official copy is a document issued by HM Land Registry that provides a snapshot of the register or title plan at the time of issue. It is the standard form of evidence of the contents of the register and is admissible in court.

Official Copy vs Informal Copy

**Official copies** are issued under Section 67 of the Land Registration Act 2002. They carry the Land Registry's authority and show the state of the register at a specific date and time. These are what solicitors, courts, and mortgage lenders require.

**Informal copies** (such as those available free through the Land Registry's online portal) are for reference only. They do not carry the same legal weight and are not accepted for most formal purposes.

All documents purchased through Online Land Registry are official copies, sourced directly from HM Land Registry's Business Gateway.

How Long Is an Official Copy Valid?

There is no fixed expiry date for an official copy. However:

**Conveyancing**: Most solicitors and mortgage lenders require an official copy no older than **6 months** (some insist on 3 months)

**Court proceedings**: The court will usually accept a recent official copy, though the other party may request a more current one

**General reference**: For your own records, the information is accurate as of the date shown, but the register may have been updated since

The key point is that an official copy shows the register at a **point in time**. If someone has since registered a charge, transfer, or restriction, that won't appear on an older copy.

What the Official Copy Contains

For a title register:

The three sections (A, B, C) of the register

The edition date and date of the official copy

The title number and administrative area

For a title plan:

The Ordnance Survey map with the title extent outlined in red

Any coloured tinting referenced in the register

The scale and orientation

When to Order a Fresh Copy

Order a new official copy when:

Your existing copy is more than 3–6 months old and you need it for a transaction

You suspect the register has been updated (e.g., a mortgage has been registered or discharged)

A solicitor or lender specifically requires a current copy

Get Official Copies

Purchase official copies of any title register or title plan on Online Land Registry.