How to replace a lost title deed in Kenya — the official process under the Land Registration Act (Cap. 300).

1. Report the Loss to the Police

You must first report the missing title deed at a police station and obtain a police abstract or an entry in the Occurrence Book (OB) confirming the loss or theft. This is an official first step required by law.

 2. Conduct a Land Search

Visit the Land Registry where your land is registered (or use the e-Citizen platform) to do an official land search. This confirms:

• You’re still the registered owner
• The correct title details (plot number, location, encumbrances, etc.)

You’ll need your ID, KRA PIN, and ideally the title number (if you know it).

 3. Swear a Statutory Declaration (Affidavit)

You must prepare and swear an affidavit before a Commissioner for Oaths or senior advocate, explaining:

• Your details
• Property details
• How the title deed was lost
• That the deed has not been used as security for a loan or sold

This legally supports your application.

4. Fill the Title Replacement Application

Complete Form LRA 12 (Application for Replacement Certificate of Title/Lease on Loss or Destruction). You’ll attach:

• Police abstract
• Statutory declaration
• Certified ID copies
• Land search results
• Passport-size photos
• Any other supporting documents

Then submit the form to the Land Registry.

5. Publish a Notice

The Lands Registrar will arrange for a notice of the lost title to be published in the Kenya Gazette and usually in national newspapers.
This gives the public up to 60 days to raise objections before a replacement title can be issued.

6. Wait for the Objection Period

There’s a statutory 60-day public notice period after publication where anyone can raise legitimate claims. If no valid objections are raised, the replacement process continues.

 7. Issuance of the Replacement Title

Once the objection period ends and everything checks out, the Land Registrar issues a new title deed in place of the lost one and updates the land register accordingly.

Important: If you later find the original title deed, you are legally required to surrender it to the Lands Registrar; holding two valid title deeds is an offence.

Typical Documents Needed

Police abstract (OB entry)
Sworn statutory declaration (affidavit)
Form LRA 12
Certified ID/Passport copies and KRA PIN
Land search results
Passport-size photos
Gazette and newspaper notices (once issued)
For companies: Certificate of registration and board resolution may be needed. 

 

 Costs & Timeline (Approximate)

• Police abstract: small or no fee
• Land search: ~KES 500–2,000
• Gazette & adverts: ~KES 1,500–5,000
• Registry fees: varies depending on land type/value
• Total typical cost: ~KES 5,000–25,000 (excluding lawyer fees)
• Timeline: about 3–6 months, largely due to the required Gazette notice period. 

 

 Client Summary:

Legal Requirements for Replacement (Section 33 LRA)

1. Statutory Declaration (Affidavit): A sworn affidavit explaining the circumstances of the loss or destruction must be made by the registered proprietor(s).
2. Police Abstract: A report must be filed at the nearest police station to obtain a police abstract, serving as official evidence of the loss.
3. Gazette Notice (Form LRA 13): The Registrar will publish a notice in the Kenya Gazette and in at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation.
4. Sixty-Day Waiting Period: The replacement can only be issued upon the expiry of sixty (60) days from the date of publication in the Gazette.
5. Form LRA 12: The formal application for a replacement title must be made using Form LRA 12.