A serious buyer, their lawyer, or their bank will ask you for the same documents before signing. If you have them ready from day one, the sale will move faster, you’ll inspire confidence, and you’ll prevent a deal from falling through at the notary’s office because of a missing certificate. Here is the complete list of documents needed to sell land or a plot in Chile, organized by where each one is obtained.
If you’re still figuring out the price and strategy, start with our general guide to selling your plot. Here, we’ll focus solely on the legal paperwork.
1. Documents from the Real Estate Registry (Conservador de Bienes Raíces)
These are requested from the Real Estate Registry (Conservador de Bienes Raíces) in the commune where the land is located. Most registries allow you to request them online.
- Copy of the title registration with a certificate of validity (“valid title”). This proves that you are the current owner according to the registry. It is the foundational document for any sale.
- Certificate of mortgages, liens, encumbrances, and restrictions on transfer. This shows whether the property has any registered mortgages, easements, liens, restrictions, or litigation. It typically covers the last 30 years of the title record.
- Prior title records. The registrations and deeds of previous owners. The buyer’s attorney usually reviews a chain of title going back at least 10 years as part of their title search.
Request recent copies. Notaries, banks, and attorneys usually require certificates issued within the last few weeks, so it’s best to obtain them once you have an interested buyer and request new ones if the signing is delayed.
2. Documents from the SII and the Treasury
- Tax appraisal certificate. This can be downloaded for free from sii.cl using the property tax ID (rol). It lists the property tax ID (rol), area, and assessed value, and is used to calculate the Land Registry fees. If your parcel does not have its own property tax ID (rol), read first about what an “own property tax ID (rol)” is and why it matters.
- Property Tax Liability Certificate. Issued by the General Treasury of the Republic (tgr.cl). It shows whether there are any unpaid property tax installments. Even if your property is exempt, the buyer will want to see it. More details in “Property Taxes and Tax Assessment of a Parcel.”
3. Municipal Documents
These depend on whether the land is urban or rural.
Urban Land
- Lot number certificate, which confirms the property’s official address.
- Certificate of Preliminary Information (CIP), detailing zoning, permitted uses, and building conditions.
- Certificate of non-expropriation, issued by the municipality and SERVIU, when applicable.
- If there are structures on the property: building permit and final acceptance certificate from the Department of Public Works.
Rural lot or land
- Many municipalities issue a rural status or zoning certificate attesting that the property is outside the urban boundary.
- If you’ve built a house or cabin, gather any permits and acceptance certificates you have. Unregistered structures do not prevent a sale, but the buyer will factor this into the price.
4. Plan and subdivision approved by the SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service)
If your lot was created by subdividing a rural property, there must be a subdivision plan certified by the SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) under Decree-Law 3,516 and filed with the Registrar. This process ensures that each lot has its own independent registration and property tax ID (rol), with a minimum physical area of 0.5 hectares per lot, subject to legal exceptions.
Have a copy of the filed plan and the lot number on hand. If the subdivision was never carried out, you likely hold rights to a larger parcel of land, and that changes the terms of the sale. Review the guide on parceling and subdivision (Decree-Law 3,516) and, if applicable, how to sell rights or shares in a parcel.
5. Water, Easements, and Access
- Water rights: If the parcel has them, obtain the registration from the Water Property Registry and verify its registration with the General Water Directorate (DGA). Water rights are separate from the land itself, so it’s important that the deed explicitly mention them and that they be registered in the buyer’s name.
- Right of way: If access passes through a neighboring property, look for the deed and registration of the right of way. A “verbal” right of way is one of the first concerns any buyer will have.
- Utility bills (electricity and water), if available. They are not required, but they are helpful.
6. Your personal situation: marital status and matrimonial property regime
This point is often overlooked and can delay the signing of the contract.
- Valid identification cards for all sellers.
- Marriage certificate (or civil union agreement), ideally with any annotations, to determine which matrimonial regime applies to your marriage.
- Marital property: If the land is marital property, Article 1749 of the Civil Code requires the wife’s authorization for the husband to dispose of it. In practice, she must appear on the deed.
- Family property: If the property was declared family property, Article 142 requires the authorization of the non-owner spouse, regardless of the matrimonial regime.
- Separation of property or community property: Provide proof with your marriage certificate or the relevant deed.
7. If the land is inherited
You need proof of actual possession, the inheritance tax certificate from the SII, and the special inheritance registration with the Registry of Deeds. Without these registrations, Article 688 of the Civil Code prevents the heirs from disposing of the property. We explain the complete process for selling an inherited plot of land.
8. If someone else or a company is signing
- Power of Attorney: If you cannot go to the notary’s office, grant a power of attorney by public deed with express authority to sell the property and receive the proceeds. Request a copy with a recent certificate of validity. If you live outside Chile, it can be granted at the consulate or before a foreign notary with an apostille.
- Legal entity: deed of incorporation, certificate of good standing for the company, and proof of legal capacity for the signatory.
9. If there is a mortgage
You can sell even if you have an outstanding loan. Typically, the bank issues a release letter, and upon payment, the mortgage and any associated restrictions are lifted. Ask your bank for a debt certificate and coordinate the deadlines in advance.
Summary: Where to Obtain Each Document
| Document | Where | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Current title deed | Real Estate Registry (Conservador de Bienes Raíces) | To prove you are the owner |
| Mortgages, liens, restrictions, and prohibitions | Real Estate Registry (Conservador de Bienes Raíces) | Show that there are no encumbrances or pending litigation |
| Tax Appraisal | SII | Property tax ID (rol), area, and tax assessment |
| Property tax debt | Treasury (TGR) | Prove You’re Up to Date |
| SAG Subdivision Plan | Registrar / SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) | Prove that the lot is independent |
| CIP, number, no expropriation | Municipality / SERVIU | Urban regulations (urban lots) |
| Marriage certificate | Civil Registry | Knowing who must sign |
| Actual Possession and Registration of Inheritance | Civil Registry or court / Registrar | Selling an Inherited Property |
What about taxes on the sale?
For an individual domiciled or residing in Chile, the SII considers the portion of the gain (appreciation) that does not exceed 8,000 UF to be non-taxable income, subject to a lifetime cumulative cap and certain requirements, including that more than one year must have elapsed between the purchase and the sale. There are special rules depending on how and when you acquired the land, and whether you subdivided it. Before setting the price, consult with an accountant.
A tip before listing
Review the file yourself before the buyer does. A title search conducted by an attorney can detect issues early on, such as an incorrectly filed registration, incomplete actual possession, or an overlooked encumbrance. If an imperfect title is found, there are options such as regularization, and if you need to divide the property, the subdivision service. It’s also helpful to review the buyer’s perspective in our legal checklist before buying land: that’s exactly what they’ll be checking.
List your land for free
With your documents in order, all that’s left is for buyers to find you. Calculate a realistic price using our free value estimator, take good photos using these listing tips, and list your lot for free on Parcelas Patagonia. You can sell directly, commission-free, as explained in our guide to selling a lot without a real estate agent.