Mother Deed

Also known as: parent deed, root of title

The mother deed is the earliest deed in a chain of title that establishes the origin of ownership, from which every subsequent transfer descends.

A title search traces forward from the mother deed through each successive transfer to the present owner, confirming that every link is registered, properly executed and unbroken. A missing mother deed is a serious defect because it leaves the origin of the seller's right unproven. Where the original is lost, a certified copy from the sub-registrar, together with the chain of later deeds referencing it, is the usual substitute.

What it proves

The origin of the ownership chain the seller relies on.