Public Registry of Georgia (NAPR)
NAPR · National Agency of Public Registry · Georgian Property Registry · NAPR Georgia
Definition
The Public Registry of Georgia, officially the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR), is an agency under the Ministry of Justice. It maintains the centralized electronic database for real property ownership, land titles, mortgages, legal encumbrances, business registrations, and cadastral mapping across Georgia.
In detail
Overview and Purpose
The National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR) (Georgian: საჯარო რეესტრის ეროვნული სააგენტო) is a public law legal entity under the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Formed as part of Georgia's public administration and anti-corruption reforms, NAPR serves as the single official registry for real property titles, rights, legal encumbrances, corporate entities, and geographic/cadastral data.
Core Functions in Property Transactions
NAPR is responsible for recording and certifying all legal rights associated with real estate in Georgia. Key functions include:
- Title Ownership Registration: Formalizing transfers of ownership resulting from purchase agreements, gifts, inheritances, or court decisions.
- Encumbrances and Liens: Registering rights of third parties, including bank mortgages, tax liens, judicial arrests (seizures), servitudes, and long-term lease agreements.
- Cadastral Mapping and Identification: Assigning unique cadastral identification codes to land parcels, individual apartments, and commercial units, maintaining precise digital spatial boundaries.
- Issuance of Registry Extracts: Generating official Extracts from the Public Registry (Amonsaweri), which constitute legal proof of title and current property status.
Constitutive Nature of Property Registration
Under the Civil Code of Georgia, real estate ownership rights operate under a constitutive registration framework. A real estate sale-purchase contract alone does not transfer legal title to the buyer; ownership rights are created only upon official entry into the Public Registry database.
Technology Infrastructure and Accessibility
Georgia's public registry system is globally recognized for efficiency and transparency:
- Fully Digitized Portal: All property records are indexed online and linked to unique property cadastral codes and personal identification/passport numbers.
- Public Transparency: Extracts are publicly accessible online via the official NAPR portal (napr.gov.ge). Anyone can verify property status, registered ownership, and encumbrances without proving a specific legal interest.
- Expedited Services: Registration can be completed on standard or accelerated schedules (ranging from standard 4-day processing to same-day execution upon payment of statutory fees).
Georgian context
In Georgia, NAPR services are accessed directly through the network of Public Service Halls (Justice Houses), community centers, or authorized intermediaries such as banks, notary offices, and real estate developers. Because Georgia uses a constitutive title system, real estate rights take legal effect only when entered into NAPR's database. Registration turnaround is exceptionally fast by global standards, offering same-day or 1-to-4 business day processing options. Property extracts are generated electronically with a unique QR code and security barcode, eliminating the need for physical paper title deeds with wet stamps.
Real example
A foreign investor purchases an apartment in Tbilisi for $180,000 USD (which includes 18% VAT charged by the developer). To complete the transaction, the buyer and seller sign the purchase agreement at a Public Service Hall and submit an application to NAPR. The buyer pays an expedited same-day registration fee ({{data:napr_sameday_fee}}). NAPR verifies the submitted documents, updates the digital land ledger, and issues an electronic Public Registry Extract within hours, confirming the buyer as the sole legal owner of the property.
Common mistakes
- ×Assuming a signed and notarized contract legally transfers ownership before NAPR registration is finalized.
- ×Failing to review a fresh NAPR extract on the day of closing to confirm no new mortgages, tax liens, or court arrests were registered.
- ×Believing that property registration in Georgia takes weeks, whereas standard NAPR processing takes 1 to 4 business days.
- ×Attempting to purchase unregistered land without confirming if primary systemic registration with NAPR has been completed.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Extract from the Public Registry in Georgia?
An Extract (Amonsaweri) is an official electronic document issued by NAPR that certifies the legal status of a property. It contains the property's unique cadastral code, total square meters, address, registered owner(s), and any registered encumbrances, such as mortgages or legal disputes.
How long does property registration take with NAPR?
NAPR offers flexible registration timelines. Standard processing takes 4 business days. Expedited processing options are available for 1 business day or same-day service (completed within hours) upon payment of higher statutory service fees.
Can a foreign citizen register real estate directly with NAPR?
Yes. Foreign nationals can register non-agricultural real estate in Georgia under the exact same terms as Georgian citizens. Registration requires a valid passport and, if processed via a representative, a notarized and translated Power of Attorney.
Is a paper title deed issued by NAPR?
No. Georgia eliminated traditional paper title deeds. Legal proof of property ownership is the digital record stored in the NAPR database, accessible anytime via an electronic Public Registry Extract featuring a unique verification QR code.
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