After the sale contract is signed in front of a notary, the transfer has to be registered with the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB). Until it is registered, the buyer is not the owner on record.
What is needed
- The title deed.
- The sale contract, notarised.
- A passport copy for any non-Bahraini party.
- If the property is in an area where foreign ownership needs approval, that approval too.
Fees (SLRB)
- 2% of the property value.
- Cut to 1.7% if you apply for registration within 60 days of the date the contract was notarised.
- BD 1 for the registration form.
Where and how long: you apply online through SLRB's electronic registration service, and SLRB lists 1 working day once everything is in.
Who pays the fee is a matter for buyer and seller to agree in the contract; SLRB just collects it.
The catch: miss the 60-day window and the fee goes up from 1.7% to 2%. On a BD 100,000 home that is BD 300 extra, so register quickly after the notary.
Steps
- Sign the sale contract before a notary.
- Gather the title deed, notarised contract and passports for non-Bahrainis.
- Apply on SLRB's electronic registration service within 60 days of notarisation.
- Pay the fee (1.7% within 60 days, otherwise 2%) plus BD 1 form fee.