How can property information be checked through Web Tapu and e-Devlet?

A person who wants information about a property’s land registry record, its owner or its parcel status should first distinguish which channel is official. The General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM) moves part of land registry work into electronic form through a platform called Web Tapu, which works in integration with e-Devlet. This note summarises what Web Tapu and e-Devlet offer for property information, what a query does and does not show, and which limits apply. The definitive record for a specific property is the register at the relevant land registry office and the official document.

Summary: According to TKGM’s description, Web Tapu is a platform where land registry processes are tracked online and which works in integration with e-Devlet. The sale application, mortgage transactions, fee payments, transfer (intikal) transactions, land registry record query, obtaining a copy of the title deed and parcel/location query are among the services described in this scope. Entry is made through e-Devlet identity verification. Information seen on a screen does not by itself replace an official title deed. Article 1020 of the Turkish Civil Code treats the land register as open to everyone; however, inspection and obtaining copies work through the request of a person who credibly shows an interest and within the limits of the legislation.

What is Web Tapu?

TKGM’s Web Tapu page describes the system as “a system that removes the obligation to be physically present at the land registry office and in which all land registry processes are tracked online.” According to the page, the system works in integration with e-Devlet and provides property owners with a secure transaction area.

This description shows that Web Tapu is not merely a query screen. The platform moves part of the applications, tracking and payment steps of transactions carried out at the land registry office into electronic form. Which transactions can be completed entirely online, and which require a signature or additional documents at the office, depends on the type of transaction.

Which transactions are carried out in Web Tapu?

TKGM’s page lists some of the transactions that can be carried out through Web Tapu as follows:

• sale application,
• mortgage transactions,
• fee and revolving fund payments,
• transfer (intikal) transactions,
• transition from condominium easement to condominium ownership,
• application through a power of attorney,
• information update and correction,
• land registry record query,
• granting authorisation to real estate agents,
• obtaining a copy of the title deed,
• registration of a declaration (annotation that no transaction may be made),
• donation (grant) application,
• location query (parcel query integration),
• applications by foreigners to acquire property.

The list is given on the page with the qualifier “some”; it should therefore not be read as the whole scope. The information, documents and fees requested vary by type of transaction.

How do entry and application steps work?

TKGM’s page describes use in these steps: the person goes to the Web Tapu address; chooses the appropriate option from “Individual” or “Corporate” entry and completes e-Devlet identity verification. Then the main category to be used is selected from the menu on the main page. The property information requested for the selected service is entered and any documents are uploaded digitally.

While the application is being examined by the relevant land registry office, updates such as fee payment information and the appointment day are followed through a short message sent to the mobile phone registered in the system. After the accrued payments are made online, the transaction is completed by going to the relevant office at the notified appointment time, only for transactions that require a wet signature.

These steps show the general flow. Because the screen order, the fields requested and the payment stages may change by service and current practice, the description on the service screen should be taken as the basis during the application.

What does a land registry record query show and not show?

“Land registry record query” appears as a separate heading in the Web Tapu service list. Which information this query will show on the screen depends on the definition of the service and the type of entry. The query result does not replace the register record at the relevant land registry office; nor is it an official title deed or an official copy.

“Location query (parcel query integration)” is, as its name indicates, directed at parcel and location information. A parcel query and a land registry record query are different services; the information shown by one does not fall within the scope of the other. Which service gives which information should be checked from the description on the screen applied to.

In a dispute, the current content of the land registry record, the owner and the status of rights are examined separately. Summary information seen on a screen does not by itself resolve an ownership dispute and does not replace a legal assessment.

What does the openness of the land register mean?

Article 1020 of the Turkish Civil Code begins: “The land register is open to everyone.” The continuation of the same article provides: “Anyone who credibly shows an interest may request that the relevant page of the land register and the documents be shown to them before the registrar or that copies be given.” The article also states: “No one may claim not to have known a registration in the land register.”

This provision shows that the register is not a closed record. However, openness does not mean that everyone can see all information on every property online and without limit. The article ties inspection and obtaining copies to the request of a person who credibly shows an interest and leaves the conditions of inspection and obtaining documents to the legislation. For this reason, the information seen on a screen and the official document that may be requested should be kept separate.

Which information and documents may be requested?

TKGM’s page states that, although it varies by type of transaction, the following information is generally requested: Turkish identity number and e-Devlet password, information on the property subject to the transaction (block, parcel, neighbourhood), buyer and seller information (identity numbers and telephone information), and documents such as a scanned copy of an identity document, a real estate tax value document or, where applicable, a power of attorney.

This list is a general framework. The documents requested in a specific transaction may vary by the type of transaction and the practice of the relevant land registry office. The definitive list should be learned from the service screen applied to and from the relevant office.

Official channel and security

The addresses to be used for Web Tapu transactions are the own domain names of TKGM and the e-Devlet Gateway. Similar-looking other addresses appearing in search results or messages should not be treated as official channels.

The e-Devlet password, one-time short message code and similar entry information must not be shared with any third party. Official channels do not request this information by telephone or message. Entry information should not be entered before being sure that a link genuinely belongs to a TKGM or e-Devlet address.

Before carrying out a transaction, the service definition, fee and documents shown on the screen should be read; if there is a suspicious redirection, the process should be left before completion.

In brief

Web Tapu is TKGM’s platform that works in integration with e-Devlet and moves part of land registry transactions into electronic form. The land registry record query and parcel query are among the services on this platform; however, information on a query screen does not replace an official title deed or official copy. The land register is in principle open to everyone (Turkish Civil Code, Article 1020); inspection and obtaining copies, however, proceed through the request of a person who credibly shows an interest and within the limits of the legislation. Entry should be made only from the official TKGM and e-Devlet addresses, and entry information should not be shared with anyone.