In Spain any deed, agreement or judicial resolution affecting a property or a right on real estate possession or ownership must be registered at the Official Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad). Also some judicial resolutions related to a person’s capacity to act must also be presented before the Registry.
The main purpose of that obligation of registration is that any person interested in doing business regarding to land property or use, such leasing or buying, can have knowledge about the real legal situation of the property, who is the actual owner and the existence of any charges or encumbrances thereon.
The Registry only takes into account those documents which are issued by a public authority. For instance, a leasing agreement will be subject to registration only if it has been supervised and signed by a Notary. Foreign deeds and certifications must be officially translated into Spanish by a legal official translator authorized by the Ministry of Justice.
The public has the right to access to the Registry content by filling in an official request form where they must identify themselves, the estate of which are seeking information and the reason of the enquiry.
The competent Registation Office holds the information to the urban and rural estates under their jurisdiction. In the Costal del Sol and Málaga province there are around 40 offices. Beside the city of Málaga, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, Benalmádena, Manilva, Torrox, Velez-Málaga, Ronda, Antequera, Coin, Álora, Archidona and Campillos hold their own local Registry.
For more information in English please visit the website of Property Registrars of Spain:
https://buyingahouse.registradores.org/
