Completion Time Frame: 1 day (simultaneous with Steps 2, 3, 4, and 5)
Completion Costs: KD 5
Points to Note:
The seller must request a cadastral and borders sheet of the property from the Municipality, indicating the borders and parameters of the property and that the property complies with all of the Municipality’s rules and regulations. This document is prepared following an inspection of the property by an architect of the Municipality.

The documentation shall include:
Application from the seller on the selling company’s letterhead
Copy of the deed of title of the property provided by the seller
Documents proving the authority of the person submitting the application on behalf of the seller

Step 2: Inspection of the property by an architect representing the Municipality

Completion Time Frame: 7-12 days (simultaneous with Steps 1, 3, 4, and 5)
Completion Costs: KD 10
Points to Note:
A cadastral inspection is conducted by the Municipality of Kuwait before the seller obtains a cadastral and borders sheet from the Municipality. A land inspector examines the property site and draws up a report on the property being transferred.

Step 3: Obtain a cadastral and borders sheet from the Municipality

Completion Time Frame: 1 day (simultaneous with Steps 1, 2, 4, and 5)
Completion Costs: no charge
Points to Note:
After the inspection of the property, the seller returns to the Municipality to obtain the cadastral and borders sheet. The Kuwait Municipality, after conducting all inspections and checks with State Properties Office, issues a certificate of no objection to the transfer.

Step 4: Obtain clearance from the Ministry of the Electricity regarding outstanding electricity bills

Completion Time Frame: 1 day (simultaneous with Steps 1, 2, 3, and 5)
Completion Costs: no charge
Points to Note:
Parties obtain a certificate of the Ministry of the Electricity that there are no outstanding electricity bills or other dues to the Ministry.

Step 5: Obtain a certificate from the Minister of Commerce and Industry evidencing the signatory authority of the legal representative of the parties

Completion Time Frame: 1 day (simultaneous with Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4)
Completion Costs: KD 10-14
Points to Note:
Parties obtain a certificate from the Minister of Commerce and Industry evidencing the signatory authority of the legal representative of the parties who will sign the sale agreement, together with copies of their civil identification cards. They obtain Form I “Undertaking & Acknowledgement” and Form IX “Acknowledgement of the Representative” from the Department of Commercial Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, that must be submitted for registration in Step 6. Form I shows that the parties exist and have the power to conclude the sale/purchase transaction in accordance with their own Article of Association. Form IX confirms the authority of their representatives who follow up the Steps with the Department.

Step 6: File an application requesting a transfer of title with the Contracts Control Department of the Real Estate Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice

Completion Time Frame: 15-25 days
Completion Costs: KD 150 + 0.5% of property value (registration fee)
Points to Note:
The seller must prepare an application requesting a transfer of title to be filed with the Contracts Control Department of the Real Estate Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice. The Contracts Control Department reviews the application and the attached documents internally (3-7 days). After reviewing the application, the Contracts Control Department will take an extra 17-28 days to check all the documentation and approve the transfer. If approved, the form of the sale agreement is transferred to the notarization department for review. Once approved, the same is printed on the official green papers used by the Ministry and becomes ready for signature.
The 0.5% registration fee is paid to the Department of Real Estate Registration & Authentication (Ministry of Justice) upon the completion of the registration Steps, who approves the submitted documents before parties sign the notarized sale contract.

The documentation shall include:
a) Form of the sale agreement (available at the Real Estate Registration Office)
b) Form I “Undertaking & Acknowledgement” signed by parties (obtained in Step 5)
c) Form II “Immediate Sale Form” signed by parties (available at the Real Estate Registration Office)
d) Form IX “Acknowledgement of the Representative” signed by parties (obtained in Step 5)
e) Original deed of title of the property;
f) A recent certificate from the Minister of Commerce and Industry evidencing the signatory power of the legal representative of the parties (obtained in Step 5).
g) Copies of the articles of association of both companies.
h) If powers of attorneys are used, copies thereof must be attached
i) Municipal certificate of no objection (obtained in Step 3)

Step 7: Legal representative of the parties must appear in person to sign the sale agreement before the notary public

Completion Time Frame: 3 days
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
The parties must appear in person or through their attorneys to sign the sale agreement before the notary public. The notary public verifies the contents of the written agreement (a form commonly prescribed by the Ministry of Justice), authenticates the required signatures, and satisfies all other related matters. The notary public is a governmental body in Kuwait providing public service and is part of the Ministry of Justice.

Step 8: The sale agreement is recorded under the name of the buyer by the Contracts Control Department

Completion Time Frame: 20 days
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
The notary public delivers the notarized sale agreement to the Contracts Control Department for it to be recorded under the name of the purchasing company. The sale agreement is used as the deed of title. An original of the sale agreement, proving title, is delivered to the buyer thereafter.