Department of Lands, Survey & Records emblem

Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources

Department of Lands, Survey & Records

Apply for leases, register dealings, lodge survey plans and get valuations. Our land records are moving online through VLIMS, starting with a Land Search Map - coverage grows island by island.

VLIMS Land Search Map Coming soon

Find a land parcel

Look up a parcel by title number or location on the land map search, with its hazard zones.

  • Title number
  • Location
  • Hazard zones

Personal details are not shown on the public map. Lessee names, mortgages and other registered dealings are available through a formal search of the Land Leases Register, as the Land Leases Act provides: at the Land Records Office counter (VT 1,000 per search).

Powered by VLIMS, the Vanuatu Land Information Management System.

Common transactions

Choose a transaction to see how to apply, which forms you need, the fees and what to bring to the counter. Lease applications follow different steps for urban and rural land.

FeesConfirmed at the Lands counter when you lodge. Fees are set by Ministerial Order and may change with the latest Ministry notice.
Processing timeStandard processing applies. We are working to serve you as efficiently as we can.
FormsDownloadable forms are on the way. We are uploading the latest version of each form. Until then, please collect forms at the Lands counter.
UrbanApplication for a lease Urban land · Planning and Enforcement, then Lease Execution, Survey, Valuation and Registry

How to apply

Stage 1Get approval from the LMPC

  1. Apply to the LMPC at the Planning and Enforcement section with the urban application form. An incomplete form is returned to you; keep your application number.
  2. The LMPC decides at its next meeting. You get a letter: approved, deferred (send what is asked for) or refused (with the reason).
  3. The Minister of Lands signs your LMPC approval letter, which you take to Stage 2.

Stage 2Prepare your documents and register

  1. Lodge your lease application with your LMPC approval letter at the Lease Execution counter.
  2. Have a registered surveyor prepare the survey plan, and lodge it with the Land Survey Unit for approval.
  3. Ask the Valuation section for a valuation certificate (bring the lease title number and property details).
  4. Apply for Ministerial Consent at the Lease Execution counter (three copies of LR Form 20, signed DOL Form 3 and your clearance receipts).
  5. Lodge for registration at the Land Registry with the survey plan, valuation certificate and Ministerial Consent; the Registry signs the documents.
  6. Pay the duties to VFSC and the Land Registry. Your lease is then registered.

Checklist

  • Urban application form (Stage 1)
  • LMPC approval letter signed by the Minister
  • Lease application form, with your LMPC approval letter
  • Survey plan by a registered surveyor
  • Lease title number and property details, for the valuation
  • Three copies of LR Form 20 and a signed DOL Form 3
  • Receipts showing no outstanding property tax or land rent
  • Every receipt from each step

Forms and fees

Fee
Confirmed at the counter
Processing time
Standard processing

Each fee is paid at the step it belongs to, and the duties at the end. Keep every receipt.

RuralApplication for a lease Custom land · Planning and Enforcement, then Lease Execution, Survey, Valuation and Registry

How to apply

Stage 1Get approval from the LMPC

  1. Apply to the LMPC at the Planning and Enforcement section with the rural application form. An incomplete form is returned to you; keep your application number.
  2. The LMPC decides at its next meeting. An approval comes with the Custom Owner Identification Form.
  3. Have the form signed by the custom owners and chiefs, and return it to the Planning and Enforcement section.
  4. The Planning and Enforcement section issues the Negotiator Certificate to your registered negotiator, with your LMPC approval letter for Stage 2.

Stage 2Prepare your documents and register

  1. Lodge your lease application with your LMPC approval letter at the Lease Execution counter.
  2. Have a registered surveyor prepare the survey plan, and lodge it with the Land Survey Unit for approval.
  3. Ask the Valuation section for a valuation certificate (bring the lease title number and property details).
  4. Apply for Ministerial Consent at the Lease Execution counter (three copies of LR Form 20, signed DOL Form 3 and your clearance receipts).
  5. Lodge for registration at the Land Registry with the survey plan, valuation certificate and Ministerial Consent; the Registry signs the documents.
  6. Pay the duties to VFSC and the Land Registry. Your lease is then registered.

Checklist

  • Rural application form (Stage 1)
  • Custom Owner Identification Form signed by the custom owners and chiefs
  • LMPC approval letter and Negotiator Certificate
  • Lease application form, with your LMPC approval letter
  • Survey plan by a registered surveyor
  • Lease title number and property details, for the valuation
  • Three copies of LR Form 20 and a signed DOL Form 3
  • Receipts showing no outstanding property tax or land rent
  • Every receipt from each step

Forms and fees

Fee
Confirmed at the counter
Processing time
Standard processing

Each fee is paid at the step it belongs to, and the duties at the end. Keep every receipt.

Change of lessor’s name Rectification for custom owners · Registry (Land Records)

How to apply

  1. Gather the documents on the checklist.
  2. If you are not sure which leases are affected, the Survey Unit can help you find the titles.
  3. Lodge everything at the Land Records Office counter and pay the fee for each title.
  4. The Registry corrects the lessor’s name on each lease listed.

Checklist

  • Certificate of Recorded Interest in Land (the green certificate)
  • Letter from the National Coordinator of the CLMO
  • Map or custom boundary stamped by the Court (a Google map is not accepted)
  • List of the leases or titles to be rectified

Forms and fees

  • FormNo form: bring the documents on the checklist
Fee
Confirmed at the counter (charged for each title)
Processing time
Standard processing
Transfer of lease Selling or passing a lease to someone else · Registry search, Lease Execution, VFSC, then Registry

How to apply

Stage 1Before you sign

  1. Check the title at the Land Records Office counter: confirm the seller is the registered lessee, who the lessor is, the years left on the lease and any mortgage or caution against it.
  2. The buyer and seller agree the sale between themselves, usually in a written sale and purchase agreement. You may do this yourselves or through a real estate agent or lawyer; the Ministry’s requirements are the same either way.
  3. The seller settles land rent and property tax and keeps the clearance receipts. Rent is paid to the lessor shown on the register; property tax to the Municipal or Provincial Council.

Stage 2Consent, transfer and stamp duty

  1. Apply for Ministerial Consent at the Lease Execution counter: three copies of LR Form 20 and your land rent and property tax clearance receipts. Where the lessor is a custom owner or another party, that lessor signs LR Form 20. If the lease is mortgaged, the lender also consents on LR Form 20.
  2. Both parties sign three original copies of the transfer (LR Form 11) in front of a witness, and an authorised person completes the verification certificate.
  3. Take the signed LR Form 11 to VFSC for stamp duty (2% of the value). The Land Records Office cannot accept a transfer that has not been stamped.

Stage 3Pay and lodge

  1. Pay the Ministry fees at the cashier and keep the receipt.
  2. Lodge everything with LR Form 1 (Application for Registration) at the Land Records Office counter. Only a complete application can be accepted.
  3. Once registered, the new lessee is recorded on the lease register.

Checklist

  • Application for Registration (LR Form 1)
  • Three copies of LR Form 20 (Consent)
  • Lender’s consent on LR Form 20, if the lease is mortgaged
  • Transfer (LR Form 11): three originals, signed, witnessed, certified and stamped by VFSC
  • Land rent clearance receipt
  • Property tax clearance receipts (municipal and provincial council)
  • Copy of the survey plan or cadastral map of the land
  • Photo ID of both parties
  • For a company buying for the first time: certified copy of its certificate of incorporation
  • Copy of your Ministry fee receipt

Forms and fees

Registration fee
5% of the purchase price, plus VT 20,000 to certify the transfer
Ministerial Consent
VT 5,750 (urgent: VT 60,000, within 5 working days while the Minister is in the country)
Stamp duty
2% of the value, paid to VFSC
Processing time
Standard processing

Fees are subject to change in line with Government policy; please confirm the current amount at the Lands cashier before you pay. This guide is being finalised with the Department, so please check the requirements at the Land Records Office counter before you lodge.

Mortgage Registering, varying, transferring or discharging a mortgage · Lease Execution, then Registry

How to apply

  1. Your lender or lawyer prepares the mortgage document on the correct LR form.
  2. Apply for Ministerial Consent where the dealing needs it (LR Form 20 and DOL Form 3).
  3. Lodge the signed document at the Land Registry and pay the fee.
  4. Once registered, the change is noted on the lease register.

Checklist

  • Signed mortgage, variation, transfer or discharge
  • Lease title number
  • LR Form 20 and DOL Form 3, if consent is needed
  • Photo ID of the parties

Forms and fees

Fee
Confirmed at the counter
Processing time
Standard processing

Not sure which transaction you need? Ask at the Lands counter or call +678 33140. All forms are in the Forms list.

Forms

Land Registry (LR) forms under the Land Leases Act, and the Department’s own application forms, grouped by what they are used for. Open a group to see its forms.

Downloads coming soon. We are uploading the latest version of each form. Until then, please collect forms at the Lands office counter in Port Vila.

Lease applications and Department formsLease, LMPC and DOL forms
  • FormUrban application to the LMPCStage 1, urban landComing soon
  • FormRural application to the LMPCStage 1, rural landComing soon
  • FormCustom Owner Identification FormGiven with a rural LMPC approvalComing soon
  • FormLease application form (urban or rural)Stage 2, step 1Coming soon
  • DOL 3DOL Form 3Used with LR Form 20 for Ministerial ConsentComing soon
Registration, searches and recordsLR Forms 1, 2, 3, 18, 21
  • LR 1Application for RegistrationComing soon
  • LR 2Application for a Certified Copy of a Register or Filed DocumentSection 20Coming soon
  • LR 3Application for Stay of RegistrationSection 28Coming soon
  • LR 18Application for Registration of TransmissionSection 84Coming soon
  • LR 21Application for Inspection of a RegisterSection 19Coming soon
Leases and Ministerial ConsentLR Forms 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 20
  • LR 4LeaseSections 31 and 35Coming soon
  • LR 5SubleaseSection 48Coming soon
  • LR 6Variation of Conditions of a Lease or SubleaseSection 47Coming soon
  • LR 7Consent to SurrenderSection 49Coming soon
  • LR 11Transfer of Lease or SubleaseSection 60Coming soon
  • LR 20ConsentSections 36, 41(h), 48(2), 56(1)(c) and 57Coming soon
MortgagesLR Forms 8, 9, 10, 12
  • LR 8MortgageSection 51Coming soon
  • LR 9Variation of Terms of MortgageSection 54Coming soon
  • LR 10Discharge of MortgageSection 55Coming soon
  • LR 12Transfer of MortgageSection 60Coming soon
Easements and profitsLR Forms 13, 14, 15
  • LR 13Grant of EasementSection 67Coming soon
  • LR 14Grant of ProfitSection 69Coming soon
  • LR 15Release of Easement, Restrictive Agreement or ProfitSection 70Coming soon
Cautions and powers of attorneyLR Forms 16, 17, 19, 22
  • LR 19CautionSection 93Coming soon
  • LR 22Application for Withdrawal of CautionSection 97Coming soon
  • LR 16Power of AttorneySection 82Coming soon
  • LR 17Notice of Revocation of a Power of AttorneySection 82Coming soon

Visit or call us

The Survey Unit is in a separate building from the main Lands office.

Main Office

Pompidou Road, next to the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards, Port Vila

Get directions

Survey Unit

Behind the Ministry of Finance, off Kumul Highway, beside Paton Memorial Presbyterian Church, Port Vila

Get directions

Our sections

A land matter moves through our five sections in this order, from the first application to the registered title. Open a section to see what it does.

  1. Planning and Enforcement

    Manages first land applications, development approvals and compliance before a property reaches leasing or registration.

    Related: Urban lease Rural lease

    Call +678 33140 and ask for Planning and Enforcement, or visit the Lands office (map).

    What this section does
    • Processes applications for Negotiator Certificates in rural areas.
    • Manages urban and rural lease class applications and change of use requests.
    • Coordinates review comments from referral departments, such as Environment, Geology & Mines, Public Works and municipal and provincial planning.
    • Enforces subdivision policies, guidelines and land use conditions.

  2. Survey

    Looks after Vanuatu’s geospatial framework, boundary mapping and geographic data.

    Related: Survey plan for a lease Finding titles

    Call +678 33140 and ask for Survey, or visit the Survey Unit office off Kumul Highway (map).

    What this section does
    • Issues survey instructions, checks plans from registered private surveyors and maintains cadastral mapping.
    • Carries out official boundary surveys, topographic mapping and site demarcation, including acquisitions for public interest under the Land Acquisition Act [CAP 215].
    • Manages spatial data for urban layouts, rural parcels and infrastructure projects.

  3. Valuation

    Handles property valuations, land rent calculations and statutory property assessments. Disputes over a valuation go to the Office of the Valuer General.

    Related: Valuation for a lease

    Call +678 33140 and ask for Valuation, or visit the Lands office (map).

    What this section does
    • Assesses lease premiums, unimproved market values and recurring land rents.
    • Prepares land acquisition valuations and compensation assessments for public purposes and government infrastructure, together with the Office of the Valuer General.

  4. Lease Execution

    Oversees the legal preparation and signing of leases between lessors (custom owners or landlords) and lessees.

    Related: Urban lease Rural lease Transfer of lease Mortgage

    Call +678 33140 and ask for Lease Execution, or visit the Lands office (map).

    What this section does
    • Advises on and processes leases (LR Form 4), subleases (LR Form 5), lease variations (LR Form 6) and consents to surrender (LR Form 7).
    • Handles Ministerial Consent applications (LR Form 20) needed for transfers, mortgages and other major land dealings.
    • Checks signatures, execution requirements and clearances, such as municipal and provincial tax clearance, before registration.

  5. Registry (Land Records)

    The official registry for all land titles and registered legal interests in Vanuatu.

    Related: Lease register search Change of lessor’s name Transfer of lease Forms

    Call +678 33140 and ask for Registry, or visit the Land Records Office at the Lands office (map).

    What this section does
    • Registers completed leases, subleases, transfers, charges, caveats and easements.
    • Issues title search printouts and certified true copies, and maintains the land archive and title database.
    • Collects most of the Department’s statutory fees.

VLIMS

Land services are moving online

VLIMS, the Vanuatu Land Information Management System, brings the Department’s records and workflows together. The Land Map Search will be free to view. Services that involve registered details or payments will open through the Ministry’s E-Services Portal as they are ready.

  • Land Search MapComing soonParcels, title numbers and hazard zones for Vanuatu. Free to view.Survey and Registry
  • Online register searchPlannedA formal search of the Land Leases Register, with the prescribed fee.Registry
  • Survey plan lodgementIn developmentRegistered surveyors lodge and track plans online.Survey
  • Update your details (KYC)In developmentKeep lessee contact details current for rent notices.Planning and Enforcement
  • Track an applicationIn developmentSee where a lodged application is up to.All sections
  • Lease applicationsPlannedApply for consent, transfers and new leases online.Lease Execution
  • Land rent statementsPlannedView rent owing and past payments.Planning and Enforcement
  • Online paymentsPlannedPay fees and land rent without coming to the counter.All sections

Key services and laws

General information

Laws and regulations

  • Land Leases Act [CAP 163]
  • Land Reform Act [CAP 123]
  • Custom Land Management Act 2013
  • Land Acquisition Act [CAP 215]
  • Valuation Act [CAP 288]
  • Land Surveyors Act

What’s new

New Ministerial Consent processing fees

From 2 February 2026: VT 5,750 standard, or VT 60,000 for urgent processing within 5 working days while the Minister is in the country.

Notice issued 13 February 2026

Procurement & Careers

ProcurementProcurement Notices: SPN, RFQ and REOI open for submission CareersCareers & Employment: current vacancies and how to apply

Elsewhere in the Ministry

⚠️ Beware of fake websites pretending to be official. Always check the domain carefully as official Vanuatu Government sites end with .gov.vu.