Welcome back to The Title Deed Desk.

In Episode 6, we discussed the transition from paper title deeds to electronic records. Today, Episode 7 looks at a common request from property owners: adding or removing a name from a title deed.

This is general educational content, not legal advice. Ownership changes can have legal, financial, and family-related implications that depend on individual circumstances.

Many people assume adding or removing a name is simply an administrative update. In most cases, it is not. When ownership changes, even partially, a share of the property is being transferred from one person to another.

For example, adding a spouse, family member, or business partner to a title deed means transferring a portion of ownership. Similarly, removing a co-owner transfers their share to the remaining owner or owners. In both situations, the transaction is treated as a transfer rather than a simple amendment.

The process depends on how the ownership share is being transferred.

If the share is sold, the transaction follows a standard property transfer process. If the share is gifted, particularly between close family members, it may qualify for a gifting or Hiba transfer route. Each option has its own documentation requirements, fees, and procedures.

There are exceptions. Where the ownership record was incorrect from the outset and the goal is simply to correct the register, the process may be treated as a correction rather than a transfer. The key question is whether ownership is changing now, or whether the record is being updated to reflect what was always intended.

Typical requirements include identification documents for all parties, the current title deed, supporting documents where relevant, and any transfer-specific paperwork. If a party cannot attend in person, a valid Power of Attorney may also be required.

A common mistake is gathering documents before determining the correct route. The first step should always be identifying whether the ownership share is being sold, gifted, or corrected.

Once the appropriate route is confirmed and the parties agree, the transfer can proceed, the register can be updated, and a new title deed can be issued reflecting the revised ownership structure.

In the next episode, we'll explore mortgages and how they appear on a title deed.

This was The Title Deed Desk.