Is It Possible to Trace Who Previously Owned Land in Jamaica?

Carl, that’s a great and very relevant question, especially if you're looking to make an informed purchase here. To trace the purchase history of a land parcel in Portland (or anywhere in Jamaica), you’ll want to work closely with the National Land Agency (NLA). They’re the official authority for all land title records in the country.

And the easiest place to start is by finding out the Volume and Folio number of the land. This number is like a fingerprint, it uniquely identifies each titled property. If you don’t have that, but you know the name of the current or past owner, or the valuation number, the NLA can still help trace it.

Once that’s in hand, you can request a title search, which shows the full chain of ownership, including past transactions and any registered mortgages or restrictions. For deeper background, you might also request the Instruments of Transfer, which show exactly how and when the land changed hands over the years.

You can visit or contact the NLA office in Port Antonio for local matters, or their main office in Kingston. And yes, they do have an online portal at
elandjamaica.gov.jm where you can run searches if you have the necessary details.

If you're still abroad, you could assign a trusted attorney or land surveyor here in Jamaica to handle that legwork for you—they’ll know how to access the documents quickly and guide you safely through the process.

Recommended Reading: Jamaica on a Budget – Discovering Paradise Without The Price Tag!

Last updated: June 18, 2025

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