Transfer of title to property in Georgia is registered at the Public Service Hall on the basis of the purchase contract, and the record is entered in the public registry. The timing depends on the tariff chosen — from one to several business days. It is safer to settle through a letter of credit or after registration is confirmed; the deal can be completed remotely under a notarised power of attorney.
1. The public registry and the Public Service Hall
Rights to property in Georgia are recorded by the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR), while documents are received and processed at the Public Service Hall and by accredited operators. It is the registry record, not the contract on its own, that confirms you have become the owner.
2. Documents for registration
You typically need the purchase contract, the parties identity documents (or a representative power of attorney), a current extract for the property and proof that the state fee has been paid. Specific situations (inheritance, a company, spousal consent) extend the list, which is clarified in advance.
3. Timing and tariffs
Registration speed depends on the tariff: the basic one takes several business days, expedited ones can be same-day but cost more. The fee and timing are public; the choice of tariff should be built into the deal plan so it lines up with settlement.
4. Safe settlement
The moment money changes hands and the moment title passes are best linked. It is safer to pay through a bank letter of credit or to transfer the balance after registration is confirmed than to hand over cash before the record is entered. The settlement order is fixed in the contract.
5. Registration without being present
The deal can be completed remotely: the buyer issues a notarised power of attorney to a representative who files the documents and collects the result. The power of attorney must grant authority for exactly these actions on the specific property.
6. After registration: the extract
After registration, order a fresh registry extract and check that you are listed as the owner and that no encumbrances are present that should not be. This extract is your proof of title and will be needed later (for a residence permit or a sale, for example).
What the buyer representative does
GeoTrust prepares and files the registration documents on the buyer side, synchronises it with safe settlement, and checks the fresh extract once the record is entered. For a remote deal we work under a notarised power of attorney. The fee is reduced by any documented seller commission.
Related questions
When do I become the owner — at signing or at registration?
Title passes when the record is entered in the public registry, not when the contract is signed. That is why settlement is safer when tied to confirmation of registration.
How long does registration take?
From one to several business days depending on the tariff: expedited options are faster but cost more. The exact timing and fee are public and confirmed as of the transaction date.
Can title be registered without travelling to Georgia?
Yes, under a notarised power of attorney to a representative who files the documents and collects the extract. Title is verified beforehand.
What should I do after registration?
Order a fresh extract and make sure you are listed as the owner with no unexpected encumbrances. This extract proves title and will be useful for a residence permit or a future sale.
Sources and official resources
Legal and tax details are confirmed by a specialised lawyer under the law in force on the transaction date.
The purchase contract: what to checkPre-deposit apartment check