Change Ownership Following a Death

Where two or more people hold land under a joint tenancy, the right of survivorship applies. This means the surviving joint tenants are solely entitled to the land upon the death of another joint tenant.

If the property is held as joint tenants and an owner of the property has died you will need:

• a photocopy of the death certificate
• a completed application form
• to have your identity verified
• to have your authority to deal with the property verified

1. Get a copy of the death certificate

Find out about obtaining a death certificate from the sa.gov.au website.

2. Fill in an application form

Review the AD Checklist to assist you in checking off the steps you will need to complete before lodging with Land Services SA

If you fill in this form without the help of a registered conveyancer or legal practitioner, you will need to comply with the legislative requirements and provide the relevant certifications that apply to self-represented parties.

All LTO forms must be printed in black ink on white, A4, 80-gsm paper and printed on both sides. If you do not have access to a duplex printer, use the manual feed option to make a double-sided copy.

3.Have your identity verified

Applications to register death by survivor are subject to the Registrar-General’s Verification of Identity requirements.

For more information, see the Verification of identity for self-represented parties fact sheet.

4. Have your authority verified

Applications to change name are subject to the Registrar-General’s Verification of Authority requirements.

For more information, see the Verification of Authority Guidelines

5. Lodge your documents

Lodge the completed application with Land Services SA either in person (Level 9, 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000) or via post (GPO Box 543, Adelaide, SA, 5001) along with:

• a photocopy of the death certificate.
• the fee payable, this can be paid by EFTPOS (in person only), cash (in person only) or cheque.
• evidence related to the verification of your identity and authority to deal with the property.

There is no right of survivorship under a tenancy in common. On the death of a tenant in common their share will pass according to their will or, in the absence of a will, according to the laws of intestacy.

If the property is held as tenants in common and an owner of the property has passed away you will need:

• a complete photocopy of the probate
• a photocopy of the registrar’s certificate
• a completed transmission application form
• to have your identity verified
• to have your authority to deal with the property verified.

A transmission application form can also be used when there is only one owner registered on the title.

1. Get probate documents

Request a copy of probate and the registrar’s certificate from the probate office.

2. Fill in an application form

Review the TA Checklist to assist you in checking off the steps you will need to complete before lodging with Land Services SA

If you fill in this form without the help of a registered conveyancer or legal practitioner, you will need to comply with legislative requirements and provide the relevant certifications that apply to self-represented parties.

All LTO forms must be printed in black ink on white, A4, 80-gsm paper and printed on both sides. If you do not have access to a duplex printer, use the manual feed option to make a double-sided copy.

3.Have your identity verified

Applications to register death by survivor are subject to the Registrar-General’s Verification of Identity requirements.

For more information, see the Verification of identity for self-represented parties fact sheet.

4.Have your authority verified

Applications to change name are subject to the Registrar-General’s Verification of Authority requirements.

For more information, see the Verification of Authority Guidelines.

5.Lodge the documents

Lodge your completed transmission application form with Land Services SA either in person (Level 9, 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000) or via post (GPO Box 543, Adelaide, SA, 5001)along with:

• a complete photocopy of the probate with a photocopy of the registrar’s certificate attached.
• the fee payable, this can be paid by EFTPOS (in person only), cash (in person only) or cheque.
• evidence related to the verification of your identity and authority to deal with the property.