Helpful Hints
Land in Belize
There are several land systems in Belize under which a person can acquire title. These include:
- Conveyance/ Minister’s Fiat Grant
- A Transfer Certificate of Title(TCT)/ First Certificate of Title(FCT)
- The application to transfer title to land
- Memorandum of Transfer
- Affidavit of Seller of land
- Affidavit of Buyer of Land.
- A Land Certificate
Where title to the property being sold is in the nature of a Minister’s Fiat Grant and Deed of Conveyance, the transfer is effected through the preparation of a Deed of Conveyance which is registered at the Lands Registry in Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize
Where title to the property being sold is a TCT or FCT, the transfer is effected through the preparation of the requisite forms under the General Registry Act including:
These forms are registered at the Lands Registry in Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize.
Where the title to the property being sold is a Land Certificate, the transfer is effected through the preparation of the requisite Transfer of Land form, pursuant to the Registered Land Act. This form is filed at the Lands Registry in Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize.
Non-Nationals
Non-nationals of Belize can acquire land on the same terms as Belizean nationals, without the need for any license, save and except:
- Central Bank Approval
- In the case of national lands, an Alien’s Landholding license pursuant of the National Lands Act.
Taxes Payable to Government of Belize
Stamp Duty must be paid to the Government of Belize on any transfer of title to property in Belize.
Where the parties register an Agreement for Sale, the Stamp Duty may be charged at the time of presentation of the Agreement for registration, not at the time of transfer.
Rate of Assessment
| Property Value less or equal to | US $10,000.00 - BZ $20,000.00 | Payment is exempted from Stamp Duty |
| Property Value more than | US $10,000.00 – BZ $20,000.00 | Stamp duty is chargeable at the rate of 5% of the purchase price or value of the property (wherever it is greater). On any sum in excess of the initial US $10,000.00/BZ $20,000.00, the following occurs: E.g.:
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Ancillary Services
We assist clients with the following services:
Title Investigation
We perform title investigations to ensure that the property is free and clear of liens and encumbrance including legal charges/mortgages and that it is not subject to any agreement for sale, registered lease or other encumbrance.
Central Bank Approval
Every non-Belizean purchasing property in Belize must obtain Central Bank Approval to hold land or property.
Alien Landholding License
Every non-Belizean who seeks to purchase national land from the Government of Belize must obtain an Alien’s Landholding license.
Escrow Services
Courtenay Coye & Co. provides escrow services upon request and in connection therewith can hold funds upon terms agreed by Seller/ Purchaser.