Who can register documents

Only authorized Teraview account holders and their registered users can create and submit documents in the Electronic Land Registration System such as:

  • lawyers
  • conveyancers
  • surveyors
  • other professionals such as real estate agents and mortgage brokers
  • financial institutions

It is to ensure the integrity of land registry records and strengthen consumer protection.

If you require search-only access, you do not need to apply for authorization to submit documents but still require a Teraview account.

Apply to be authorized to register documents

Only Teraview search-only account holders can apply to be authorized by the Director of Land Registration to submit documents in the Electronic Land Registration System.

Account holders must meet certain criteria and provide proof of:

  • identity
  • financial resources
  • good character and accountability
  • appropriate real estate errors and omissions insurance

To apply for authorization:

  1. Review the application guide
  2. Download and complete the correct application form:
  1. Complete and sign the Electronic Land Registration Agreement
  2. Submit the completed application by email: ELRSAuthorization@ontario.ca

Before submitting your request, make sure to include:

  • Scanned identification, notarized by a third-party, along with supporting documents. All documents need to be valid and in colour.
  • Completed application form and registration agreement.

If you have questions, you may contact ServiceOntario at:

Applying from outside Ontario

Out-of-province applicants can request an application package by emailing: ELRSAuthorization@ontario.ca.

Identification requirements

Personal identification

Personal identification is required for:

  • professional sole practitioners
  • business applicants
  • individuals that are Teraview Account Holder Representatives
  • other professionals

To learn more about the requirements to apply for authorization to submit documents, you may visit the application form and guide.

You must provide copies of 2 current, valid government-issued identification. You can choose one of the following combinations:

  • one primary photo ID and one secondary ID
  • 2 primary photo IDs (if you don’t have a secondary)

Primary photo identification

  • Driver’s Licence
  • Nexus Card
  • Government Employment Card
  • Military Employment Card 
  • Age of Majority Card 
  • Canadian Citizenship Card 
  • Indian Status Card 
  • Passport
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Canadian Firearms Card

Secondary identification

  • Birth Certificate
  • Hunting Licence
  • Fishing Licence Outdoors Card 
  • Immigration Papers

Not acceptable forms of identification

  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Health card
  • Credit card
  • Law Society membership card

Corporate identification

If you are applying for authorization, you must provide proof of incorporation.

Acceptable documents include:

  • Letters Patent
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Articles of Amalgamation
  • Articles of Continuance
  • Articles of Amendment
  • Certificate of Authorization (if applicable)

These documents must be:

  • government-issued originals
  • either stamped as certified by the government or accompanied by a Certificate of Incorporation.
  • Documents that are not certified by the government must be notarized by a third-party or submitted with a notarial certificate.

To determine what additional documents you may need, please review the Category that applies to you.

Category A: Sole regulated professionals or regulated financial institutions

Lawyers, surveyors, mortgage brokers and real estate brokers do not need to provide any additional documentation.

Regulated financial institutions will need to provide one of the following:

  • Certificate of Status.
  • Certificate of Compliance.

Category B: Organizations formed by regulated professionals

Organizations (professional corporation, limited liability partnership) formed by individuals who are members of a regulated organization (lawyers, surveyors, mortgage brokers or real estate brokers).

Depending on the type of business, you may need to provide an original copy of one of the following:

  • Certificate of Authorization (lawyers and surveyors).
  • Articles of Incorporation (professional corporation).
  • Firm Name Registration (partnership).

Category C: Member of a regulated organization not listed in Category A

This category applies to individuals or organizations who are members of a regulated organization not listed in category A, BUT:

  • have standards of practice
  • have a code of ethics or a code of professional standards under which the applicant’s or users conduct is supervised
  • are regulated and can be subject to disciplinary action

Applicants should contact ServiceOntario to discuss their eligibility before applying for authorization to register documents.

Category D: Teraview account holders that do not meet the definitions in Category A, B or C.

Examples are:

  • conveyancer
  • title searcher
  • in-house counsel at a corporation that is not formed by regulated professionals
  • business corporations that are not a professional corporation formed by regulated professionals

You will need to provide the base standard of evidence to meet the criteria of financial resources, good character and accountability:

  • insurance coverage that meets the application criteria or other evidence of financial resources
  • declaration of previous convictions and unresolved charges
  • a criminal records check
  • details about users that have been disciplined

Information for account holders and registered users

  • Teraview account holders are responsible for all activity and registrations under their account, including those completed by registered users.
  • Registered users using the Electronic Land Registration System must have a Personal Security Licence (PSL) issued by Teranet before they can register a document.
  • If a user is added to an account by an authorized Account Holder Representative, they do not need to apply for authorization from the Director of Land Registration.
  • To change the Account Holder Representative, complete a Change Form and include 2 pieces of valid identification in colour that are notarized by a third-party.
  • To update your address, email or phone number, complete the Change Form.
  • You must inform Teranet of any changes to your list of users.

Roles of the Account Holder and Account Holder Representative

Account Holder Representative

The person authorized by an Account Holder to execute and administer the Application and Registration Agreement. An Account Holder can be one of the following:

  • firm
  • corporation
  • partnership
  • sole proprietorship
  • limited liability partnership
  • professional corporation
  • multi-discipline practice

Account Holder, Applicant and Teraview Account Holder

The individual, firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, professional corporation or multi-discipline practice who:

  • has entered into a Teraview Licence Agreement
  • seeks or has received authorization from the Director to submit documents for registration in the Electronic Land Registration System

Personal information and privacy

To protect against identity theft and other real estate frauds, you must provide 2 pieces of identification for the authorization process.

The documentation and information you submit will be kept on file in a secure site accessible only by the Director of Land Registration and the staff appointed to process applications. 

Processing time

If your application is complete and includes all required documents, it is usually processed within one week after submission to ELRSAuthorization@ontario.ca.

If your application is not approved, you can ask for a review by submitting a written request within 30 days of the date of the decision. While your application is being reviewed, your account will stay active for search-only access.

Cost

It is free to apply for the authorization to register documents.

Renew an authorization

When your authorization to register documents is approved by the Director of Land Registration, you will be assigned an expiry date.

You will be notified every 5 years when it’s time to renew.

To renew your authorization:

  1. Download and complete the correct renewal form:
  1. Confirm that you still meet the requirements as set out in the current version of the agreement.
  2. Email the completed renewal application and supporting documentation to: ELRSAuthorization@ontario.ca.

For more details about the renewal process, see Bulletin 2013-03.