Office Circular No. 2/2026
DATE: 04 FEBRUARY 2026
DISTRIBUTION: GENERAL
SUBJECT: NEW FORMS – SIGNERS and TRANSITION PERIOD
Background
In November 2025 new forms were approved which, inter alia, now require Signer(s) to sign those forms. Signer is defined in the Directions issued by the Recorder of Titles (Directions).
Subscribers are reminded that where an approved form or form approved by the Recorder requires a Signer(s) to sign the form; clause 5.1.(d) of the Directions provides that:
The Subscriber must take reasonable steps to verify the identity of each of its Signers, prior to the signing of any Registry Instruments or other Documents by the Signer.
Compliance with Directions
The Record of Compliance (RoC) does not constitute an exhaustive list of actions and documents necessary to comply with the Directions and therefore, whilst the current RoC does not expressly require a Subscriber to provide any evidence relating to a Signer in response to a Compliance Examination Notice, it remains the responsibility of the Subscriber to ensure that:
- the person to sign a new form is a person entitled to be a Signer (clauses 2 and 9 of the Directions);
- reasonable steps have been taken to verify the identity of a Signer (clause 5 of the Directions); and
- any evidence supporting verification of identity or any other evidence demonstrating compliance with Prescribed Requirements is retained for at least seven years from the date of lodgement of the relevant Registry Instrument or other Document (clause 6 of the Directions).
Transition Period - Transfer, Application to Change or Correct Name, Application to Note Marriage or Revert to Maiden Name.
A further reminder that the 90 day transition period which applies to Transfers, Applications to Change or Correct Name and Applications to Note Marriage or Revert to Maiden Name ends on 15 February 2026.
Any previous version of these forms lodged on and after 16 February 2026 may be refused.
Related Information
ROBERT MANNING
Recorder of Titles