Land PoliceSign inFrequently asked questions
How do I search for a land certificate in Sierra Leone?
Go to Certificate search on www.landpolice.com and type the certificate number, the deed (title) number or the parcel number. If an issued certificate matches, you see that it exists and is valid, with its parcel, area and issue date.
How much does a certificate search cost?
Downloading a certificate costs $5 (US dollars). You only pay when a certificate is found and you choose to download it. Searching to see whether a certificate exists is free.
Do I need an account?
No. Certificate search works without an account. You get a numbered receipt and can download the certificate as a PDF on the same device for 30 days.
How can I pay?
By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (through Stripe), WeChat Pay, bank transfer through PAPSS from any participating bank in Sierra Leone or 14 African countries, or mobile money (Orange Money or Afrimoney). Card, wallet and mobile money payments are confirmed automatically; bank transfers when they reach the Land Police account.
How do I know a land certificate is genuine?
Every Land Police certificate carries a QR code and a SHA-256 fingerprint chained to the previous certificate in the ledger. Scanning the QR code or entering the number on the verify page checks that the certificate was issued by Land Police and has not been altered since. It does not confirm legal title; only the Ministry of Lands can do that.
Is a Land Police certificate the same as a title deed?
No. A Land Police certificate is a record from the Land Police register, sealed so any change to it is detectable. It is not a title deed or an official search, and it does not replace registration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning. Before you pay for land, confirm the title at the Ministry and have a Sierra Leone lawyer check the transaction.
What does it mean if no certificate is found?
Only that Land Police has not issued a certificate for that number. It does not mean the land is unregistered, disputed or free to buy. Check with the Ministry of Lands.
Why can't I see the owner's name before paying?
To protect owners' privacy, a search only confirms that a certificate exists and is valid. The full certificate, including the registered owner, is released after payment.
Is Land Police a government agency or police force?
No. Land Police is a private land title and management company. It works with land records and helps buyers, lawyers, banks, chiefdoms, councils and government agencies manage land safely.
Which plans are available?
Plans exist for individuals and the diaspora, lawyers, surveyors, developers, banks and lenders, chiefdoms, local councils and government agencies. See Plans & pricing for details.