The General Registry Office (GRO) was established as a Records Office to administer the Registration of Deeds Act. This better facilitated and improved the administration of transactions and dealings effected in General Law Freehold Title to land. General Law Title (or Old System Title) being the applicable English land law adopted at the time of foundation.

The GRO holds deeds and records to land, that were freeholded prior to the implementation of Real Property Act (ie the period 1837-1858). With the introduction of the "Real Property Act" (often referred to by the colloquialism "Torrens Title") in 1858, all freeholding was thereinafter conducted under this system of title

GRO records can be searched at our Old System Title Section at 39 Carrington Street, Adelaide from 9:00am to 5:00pm weekdays. A names based index is available to find references to documents.

The Lands Titles Office accepts plans for various purposes. These are lodged as GRO Plans and are available through PIERS Online.

Related Information:
Torrens Title
Searching Family History