What is A TR1 Form

A TR1 form is the HM Land Registry document used to transfer the whole of a registered property from one owner to another. It is the transfer deed that legally moves ownership — from the transferor (the current owner) to the transferee (the new owner) — and it is what HM Land Registry relies on to update the title register. You will come across it near the end of almost every sale, gift or transfer of equity in England and Wales.

A TR1 transfers the whole of a registered property from one owner to another.
It’s used for sales, gifts, transfers of equity, and transfers on divorce or into and out of a trust.
To transfer only part of a title you use TP1; to register an unregistered property for the first time you use FR1.
It’s signed as a deed, witnessed by an independent adult, and dated on completion — never before.
It’s filed with HM Land Registry using form AP1, with identity verification (ID1 / ID5) and a Stamp Duty Land Tax certificate where SDLT applies.
You can complete it yourself, but if there is a mortgage your lender will normally require a solicitor.

When is a TR1 form used?

A TR1 is the standard deed for transferring the whole of a registered title. It’s used when you are:

buying or selling a property — the deed that passes ownership from seller to buyer;
transferring equity — adding or removing an owner, for example adding a spouse or removing an ex-partner;
gifting a property, such as a transfer within a family;
transferring on divorce or separation, often as part of a financial settlement;
moving property into or out of a trust.

TR1 vs other Land Registry forms

The TR1 is one of a family of Land Registry forms. Using the wrong one is a common cause of rejection, so it helps to know the difference:

Form	Full name	When it’s used
TR1	Transfer of whole of registered title	Transfer the whole of a property that is already registered — sales, gifts, transfers of equity
TP1	Transfer of part of registered title	Transfer only part of a title, e.g. selling off a plot or part of a garden
FR1	First registration application	Register an unregistered property for the first time
AS1	Assent of whole of registered title	Transfer property from a deceased person’s estate to a beneficiary (used by personal representatives)
AP1	Application to change the register	The application form that accompanies a TR1 to update the register
ID1 / ID5	Identity verification	Verify the identity of a party to HM Land Registry (ID1 for unrepresented or overseas parties; ID5 confirms a digital check)

So if someone asks “AS1 or TR1?”, the answer is: AS1 when a personal representative is transferring a deceased owner’s property to a beneficiary, and TR1 for a transfer between living owners.

What information does a TR1 form contain?

The TR1 is usually a one- to two-page deed, divided into 12 numbered sections called panels. In practice your conveyancer completes it, but it helps to understand what you are signing:

Title number(s) — the registered title(s) being transferred (left blank if unregistered).
Property — the address and description, matching the register.
Date — the completion date; the deed must not be dated before then.
Transferor — the current owner(s) giving the property, named exactly as on the register.
Transferee — the new owner(s) receiving it (up to four legal owners).
Transferee’s address for service — where HM Land Registry will send notices.
Transfer — the operative wording that actually transfers the property (not amended).
Consideration — the price paid, or a statement that it is a gift (“no consideration”).
Title guarantee — full or limited title guarantee given by the transferor.
Declaration of trust — where there is more than one transferee, how they hold the property (joint tenants or tenants in common), and any unequal shares.
Additional provisions — any covenants or agreements between the parties.
Execution — signatures, witnessed as a deed.

Who prepares and signs the TR1?

On a standard sale, the buyer’s (transferee’s) conveyancer usually drafts the TR1 and sends it to the seller’s conveyancer for approval. The transferor (seller) must sign it. The transferee also signs where the form includes a declaration of trust (panel 10) or additional provisions (panel 11) — which is why, on a transfer of equity or a joint purchase, both parties sign.

Because the TR1 is a deed, each signature must be made in the presence of an independent adult witness, who then signs and prints their name and address. The witness must not be a party to the transfer, and ideally should not be the signer’s spouse or partner. One person can witness more than one signature.

When is the TR1 signed and dated?

The TR1 is signed as part of the conveyancing process and dated on the day of completion — not before. In a typical purchase it is prepared and signed between exchange of contracts and completion, and only dated once completion takes place. Dating it early is a common mistake that causes problems at registration.

What documents are sent with a TR1 form?

The TR1 is not filed on its own. To register a transfer of a registered title, HM Land Registry needs:

the completed and executed TR1;
form AP1 — the application to change the register;
identity verification — form ID1 (or ID5 confirming a digital check to HM Land Registry’s Digital Identity Standard), or your conveyancer’s certificate of identity;
the SDLT5 certificate — proof a Stamp Duty Land Tax return was filed, where one was required;
any consents noted on the register (for example a lender’s or freeholder’s consent).

For an unregistered property, first registration is applied for using form FR1 instead of AP1.

Do you need a solicitor to complete a TR1 form?

Not legally. If a property is unmortgaged and you are confident, you can complete the TR1 yourself and file it. In practice most people use a conveyancer because:

a mortgage lender will normally require a solicitor to be involved;
mistakes — a name that doesn’t match the register, an early date, a missing witness detail, the wrong form, or an omitted declaration of trust — can get the application rejected, causing weeks of delay;
the title guarantee and declaration of trust panels carry lasting legal consequences that benefit from advice.

Where can you get a TR1 form?

Form TR1, and HM Land Registry’s guidance for completing it, are available free on GOV.UK. You do not need to pay a third-party website for the form itself. What a conveyancer charges for is the legal work of completing, checking and registering it correctly.

How long does registration take?

Once the TR1 and AP1 reach HM Land Registry, a straightforward transfer of whole is often registered within a few weeks, though times vary with the registry’s workload. More complex applications and first registrations (form FR1) can take considerably longer. The ownership change is legally effective from completion; the register is then updated to reflect it.

Common mistakes that get a TR1 rejected

Dating the deed before completion.
Names that don’t match the register (for example after marriage or a change of name) without supporting evidence.
Using TR1 instead of TP1 (or vice versa) for the wrong type of transfer.
Missing or incomplete witness details.
No declaration of trust where there is more than one new owner.
Forgetting the SDLT certificate where stamp duty was due.

Frequently asked questions

What is a TR1 form? A TR1 form is the HM Land Registry deed used to transfer the whole of a registered property from one owner to another. It records who is transferring the property, who is receiving it, and on what terms, and is used to update the title register.

What is a TR1 form used for? Sales and purchases, transfers of equity (adding or removing an owner), gifts of property, transfers on divorce or separation, and moving property into or out of a trust.

What is the difference between a TR1 and a TP1 form? A TR1 transfers the whole of a registered title; a TP1 transfers only part of it, such as selling off a plot or part of a garden.

Is it AS1 or TR1? Use an AS1 when a personal representative transfers a deceased owner’s property to a beneficiary (an assent). Use a TR1 for a transfer between living owners.

Who prepares the TR1 form? On a standard sale the buyer’s conveyancer usually drafts it and the seller approves and signs it. On a transfer of equity, one conveyancer often prepares it and both parties sign.

Do I need a solicitor to complete a TR1 form? Not legally, but if there is a mortgage your lender will normally require one, and mistakes can lead to rejection and delay. Many people use a conveyancer for that reason.

When is a TR1 form signed and dated? It is signed as a deed, witnessed by an independent adult, and dated on the day of completion — never before.

Where can I get a TR1 form? Free from GOV.UK, along with HM Land Registry’s guidance. You only pay for the legal work of completing and registering it.

How long does a TR1 take to register? A straightforward transfer of whole is often registered within a few weeks, though this varies; first registrations and complex cases take longer.

Key takeaways

A TR1 transfers the whole of a registered property from one owner to another.
It’s used for sales, gifts, transfers of equity and transfers on divorce or into a trust.
Use TP1 for part of a title, FR1 for first registration, and AS1 for a transfer from an estate.
It’s a deed — signed, witnessed and dated on completion — and filed with an AP1, ID verification and, where due, an SDLT certificate.

This article is general information about the law in England and Wales as at August 2026 and is not legal advice. A qualified conveyancer can prepare, check and register your TR1 correctly.

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