Which land documents do you actually need?
Documents are where many land problems hide—and where many can be caught. Use this checklist to know what to ask the seller for, what to get from the Lands Commission, and what you'll need to register the land.
Lay the paperwork out. Spot the gaps.
Tick the documents you actually have copies of. Missing ones show up on the desk — each gap is a question nobody has answered yet.
What each marker in the lab shows
- 1. Site planPrepared by a licensed surveyor, showing boundaries and coordinates so the plot can be found on the ground.
- 2. Indenture or allocation noteHow the seller holds or grants the land. For family or stool land, an allocation note or family declaration is common.
- 3. Official search reportFrom the Lands Commission. Shows what is recorded for the plot — needed for registration too.
- 4. ReceiptsOne for every payment, from the person named in the documents.
What the lab teaches
- Each missing document is an unanswered question.
- A document is evidence, not proof — your lawyer checks it against the official search.
Land documents checklist
Tick each document once you have a copy and your lawyer has checked it. Your ticks are saved on this phone.
From the seller — before you pay
From the Lands Commission
When you pay
To register the land (Lands Commission)
A document is evidence, not proof
Documents can be forged or describe different land. Your lawyer should check them against the official search, and your own surveyor should check the site plan against the ground. Requirements can change—confirm the current list with the Lands Commission or your lawyer.
Want a lawyer to check the documents?
Our lawyer in Ghana can review the seller's documents and the official records for you.
Request a document check →Common questions
What is an allocation note?
A document often issued for stool, skin or family land showing that a plot has been allocated to someone. Your lawyer should check who issued it and whether they had authority.
Does a site plan prove ownership?
No. A site plan helps identify where the land is. Ownership and the seller's authority need the official search and legal checks.
I'm not a Ghanaian citizen. Is anything different?
Under the Land Act, 2020, non-Ghanaians can hold leases of up to 50 years at a time, not freehold. Take legal advice on the right structure for you.
Get the paperwork right before the money moves.
Tick off the documents, then check the exact plot for recorded warning signs.