Consulting the land register in Geneva: what is open to you
Choose the information you are looking for: the selector shows whether access is free and how to obtain it.
The information you need
Free access and access on justification
The land register is not public in the sense that everything in it could be looked up by anyone. Part of the data is in free access: the description of the property, its surface area, its owner, the easements and the land charges recorded. Anyone can obtain them without giving a reason for the request.
The rest — the price paid on transfers, mortgage liens, the supporting documents filed in support of an entry — is issued only to someone who can show a plausible legitimate interest. Simply planning to buy is not one; a mandate from the owner is.
Where to apply
The request is filed with the cantonal land registry office, online or at the counter, for a fee. The turnaround ranges from immediate for a simple extract to a few days for a search that requires verifying the interest claimed.
The detail of each heading, the fees and the steps to follow depending on the type of request are covered in the guide to the land register in Geneva.