Added value · Buying
What to do after signing the purchase of a property at the notary: the post-sale steps
Signing at the notary is not the end of the process. These are the steps that make you the registered owner.
SHORT ANSWER
After signing at the notary, you must pay the Transfer Tax within thirty days, using form 600, the authorised copy and a simple copy. Then you notify the provincial tax collection office (for the IBI) and ask the Land Registry to register the change of owner, which takes about fifteen days. Finally, you inform the community of owners and the utility companies.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Your lawyer, tax adviser, management company or the notary can do these steps for you, or you can do them yourself. This is a simple guide.
What are the steps after signing the purchase deed?
Once the purchase is signed at the notary, a number of steps remain to complete the process. They can be handled by your lawyer, tax adviser, management company, the notary where you bought, or by you as the buyer. Here is the order to follow.
1. Request a "Copia Simple" (simple copy)
The Copia Simple is a copy of the title deed issued by the notary. Utility companies will ask for it as proof of ownership. After signing, the notary usually offers it to the parties; if not, you can obtain it from the same notary where the deed was signed. It is only an informative document and has no legal validity as proof of ownership.
2. Collect the "Copia Autorizada" (authorised copy)
In general less than a week after signing, you can collect the Copia Autorizada of the deed from the notary, once the notary's fees have been paid. It carries the notary's original signature and, unlike the simple copy, it does have legal validity as proof of ownership.
3. Pay the Transfer Tax within thirty days
Before the property can be registered in the new owner's name, the Land Registry requires the Transfer Tax to be paid. You pay it at the Oficina Liquidadora (liquidation tax office), which will ask for form 600 fully completed, plus the authorised copy and a simple copy. If everything is correct, the office issues a payment slip that you can settle at the main banks in Spain. The deadline is thirty days after the signing of the deed.
4. Notify the Patronato de Recaudación Provincial
The Patronato is the government office that manages local taxes such as the IBI. When a property is sold, the new owner must notify it of the change of ownership by submitting a form with the details of the property and the new owner, plus a simple copy as proof of ownership.
5. Register the change of owner at the Land Registry
The new owner submits a request for the change of ownership to the Land Registry, with the form presented at the Patronato, form 600 with proof of payment of the Transfer Tax and the authorised copy of the deed. The registration takes about fifteen days, and from then on the buyer appears as the owner in the Land Registry.
6. Inform the community and the utility companies
Finally, the new owner informs the community of owners and the electricity, water and gas companies of the change of ownership. They usually ask for a simple copy as proof of ownership and your bank details to update the accounts.
Every case is different. Although the process is not complicated, we recommend you contact your lawyer, tax adviser or management company before starting, to avoid problems later.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to pay the Transfer Tax after signing?
Thirty days after the signing of the purchase deed, at the Oficina Liquidadora with form 600, the authorised copy and a simple copy.
What is the difference between a simple copy and an authorised copy?
The simple copy is only informative and has no legal validity as proof of ownership. The authorised copy carries the notary's original signature and does have legal validity.
How long does it take to register the property in my name?
The Land Registry inscription of the new owner takes about fifteen days, once the Transfer Tax is paid and the documents are submitted.
About the author
Alfonso Lacruz
Naval engineer and market analyst. Over 25 years advising owners in Marbella and Benahavís. Publishes a monthly market analysis with Land Registry data.
Every case is different: before you sign or decide, confirm your situation with your own lawyer, notary or tax adviser.
Sources: Original guide by Alfonso Lacruz Team | KW; Spanish notarial and registry practice. Last updated: 9 April 2021.
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