Who Owns That Land?

If you're looking to find out who owns a piece of land in New Brunswick, there are several methods you can use. One way is to visit your local Service New Brunswick Centre or any provincial government office, where you can search for the current owner of a property for free, and this service is also available online. If that doesn't work, you can check the Provincial Archives, which contain records from as early as 1785, including land grants and other documents that could help identify the owner. However, these records may not always be complete or accurate, so it's a good idea to double-check with other sources. Another option is to use the PLANET program on SNB.ca, which allows you to look up property owners by using the PID/PAN, though this requires a subscription. Alternatively, you can contact a local woodlot owner organisation or a realtor, who may be able to help you identify the owner using the PID. If all else fails, you may need to hire a private investigator or professional researcher specialising in finding landowners in New Brunswick, but this can be expensive and time-consuming.

Check the Provincial Archives

If you are unable to locate the owner of a piece of land in New Brunswick through a local Service New Brunswick Centre or provincial government office, you can check the Provincial Archives.

The Provincial Archives hold records from as early as 1785, including land grants and other documents that could help identify an owner. The most useful records are the land petitions and the old land deeds. The most helpful petitions were submitted between 1784 and about 1850, with the earlier petitions containing more biographical information. The Provincial Archives have microfilms of these records, as well as many indexes and maps.

The Provincial Archives also have cadastral maps, which show the actual borders of each lot of land with the name of the grantee. These maps can be useful in showing the names of neighbours, and so possible spouses, as well as the location of churches and graveyards.

Keep in mind that these records are not always complete or accurate, so it's best to double-check with other sources before making a purchase decision.

Search online via Service New Brunswick

To find out who owns a piece of land in New Brunswick, you can search online via Service New Brunswick.

Service New Brunswick offers a service called PLANET, which you can access through a kiosk computer at a service centre or online with a subscription. PLANET provides access to Land Registry records related to the ownership of real property. To set up an online account, you need to complete forms 1 to 4 on the SNB website to establish a client account. Your organisation will become a client of PLANET, and users will be issued with a user-specific ID and password. There is a minimum charge of $10 per month for a PLANET account.

Through PLANET, you can search for the name of the current owner of a certain property. You will need the property's Lot, Block, and Plan numbers, which can be found on a property's Tax Notice.

The Land Registry includes information dating back to the original crown grants, over 230 years ago. It features current real property ownership information, property assessment, property mapping, and historical information.

If you are unable to locate who owns the land through this method, you can look up records at the Provincial Archives, which has records from as early as 1785, including land grants and other documents that could help identify an owner.

Use a website like SpeedySearch

If you're looking to find out who owns a piece of land in New Brunswick, one option is to use a website like SpeedySearch. SpeedySearch offers a New Brunswick Title Search, which can provide you with the names and addresses of all registered owners of a property, along with a full legal description. It will also offer a list of any registered charges, liens, and interests filed against the property. This can include details such as mortgages, easements, and builder's liens, although these may require a separate order.

To conduct a New Brunswick Title Search, you will need the property's Lot, Block, and Plan numbers, which can be found on the property's Tax Notice. The results of the search will be delivered via email within 24 hours of placing your order.

SpeedySearch also offers a New Brunswick Corporate Search, which can be useful if you're looking to find information about a registered business in the province. This search will provide you with the legal name of the company, its incorporation number, registered office address, and the names and addresses of all directors and officers. It will also indicate whether the company is active or historical. This type of search is typically used when filing a small claims action to determine the correct legal name and address of a company. Results for this search are delivered via email within 45 minutes of placing your order.

Using an online service like SpeedySearch can be a convenient and efficient way to access information about land ownership in New Brunswick, especially if you have the necessary property details readily available.

Visit a Service New Brunswick Centre

If you're looking to find out who owns a piece of land in New Brunswick, one of the simplest ways is to visit a Service New Brunswick Centre in person. These centres are located across the province and serve as a one-stop shop for a variety of government services, including land ownership information.

At the Service New Brunswick Centre, you can search for the name of the current owner of a specific property. This service is free of charge and can also be accessed online if you prefer. The online service, known as PLANET, requires a subscription and a minimum monthly charge of $10.00 for access. To set up an account, you'll need to complete forms 1 to 4 on the SNB website.

The staff at the Service New Brunswick Centre can guide you through the process of searching for land ownership information. They can also provide additional resources and support if needed. It's recommended to bring any relevant information or documents you have about the property, as this can facilitate a more efficient search.

In addition to current ownership information, the Service New Brunswick Centre can provide access to historical land records. These records date back to the original crown grants, over 230 years ago. This includes information such as property assessments, property mapping, registered documents, and historical grantor/grantee indexes.

If you're unable to locate the information you need at the Service New Brunswick Centre, don't hesitate to ask the staff for guidance. They can direct you to other resources or suggest alternative methods for finding land ownership information in New Brunswick. Remember that this process can be complex, and it's always a good idea to consult multiple sources to verify the accuracy of the information you find.

Consult a private investigator

If you've tried searching for the owner of a piece of land in New Brunswick through the local Service New Brunswick Centre or provincial government office, as well as checking the Provincial Archives, and you've had no luck, your next step could be to consult a private investigator.

This route is likely to be expensive and time-consuming, but it could be worth it if you are unable to find out who owns the land through other means. A professional investigator will be able to carry out background checks and public records searches to help identify the owner of a particular piece of land.

When hiring a private investigator, it's important to find someone who specializes in this type of work. Look for investigators who have experience in finding land owners in New Brunswick and who are familiar with the local laws and regulations regarding land ownership.

You can search for private investigators in your area by searching online directories, such as the one provided by the Provincial Government of New Brunswick. You can also ask for recommendations from friends, family, or legal professionals.

Once you've found a few potential investigators, be sure to interview them to ensure they are qualified and experienced. Ask about their specific experience in locating land owners, the methods they will use to find the information you need, and the expected timeline and cost of their services.

By hiring a private investigator, you can save yourself time and effort in trying to track down the owner of a particular piece of land in New Brunswick. While it may be costly, it can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you are considering buying or leasing the property.

Frequently asked questions