Peterborough Land Registry Office (No. 45) – Peterborough, ON

Real Property Registration and Records

Digital Transition and OnLand

The Peterborough Land Registry Office (LRO 45) is the official government body responsible for recording and maintaining land ownership records for Peterborough County. In alignment with the Province of Ontario’s modernization strategy, the registry system has undergone a complete digital transformation. While the office historically housed physical abstract books and accepted paper deeds, the primary method for searching title and registering documents is now the OnLand web portal. This “virtual counter” allows lawyers, surveyors, and the public to access property records, view survey plans, and order parcel registers from anywhere, reducing the need for in-person visits.

Location and Service Context

The physical office is located within Robinson Place at 300 Water Street, a major provincial government building in downtown Peterborough.

• ServiceOntario Co-location: The Land Registry function shares space with the Peterborough ServiceOntario counter on the main floor. While the dedicated LRO counter is largely automated or restricted to professionals with specific appointments, the ServiceOntario staff at this location provide a broad range of other government services, such as health card renewals and driver’s vehicle licensing.
• Kiosk Access: For those without internet access at home, public access kiosks are typically available in the lobby or self-service area to access the OnLand system, though staff assistance for title searching is limited as it is a self-serve model.

Jurisdiction and Archives

The LRO 45 manages a vast archive of historical and current property data. This includes the “Old Abstract” indices that trace land history back to the original Crown patents, as well as the modern Land Titles system. The Land Registrar for this district ensures the integrity of the property rights system under the Land Titles Act. Although the public face of the registry is now digital, the administrative work of certifying title and processing complex land issues continues to be managed under the authority of this office.