Citizens often face confusing information and uncertainties when it comes to registering ownership rights in the real estate cadastre. Changes in regulations that have occurred in recent years, as well as the transition to an electronic system, further complicate the entire process. In this text, we provide answers to the most frequently asked questions by clients, as well as practical advice on how to protect your property rights.

1. A Notary Public Notarized My Contract – Why Was I Not Automatically Registered as the
Owner?

Since notaries began operating (September 1, 2014), their competencies and obligations have changed. It is particularly important to know that only from July 1, 2018, with the entry into force  of the Law on the Procedure for Registration in the Real Estate and Utilities Cadastre, do notaries have the obligation to ex officio submit solemnized contracts to the cadastre for the purpose of registering ownership rights.

👉 This means:

• If you had your contract notarized before July 1, 2018, you had to submit the request to the cadastre yourself.

• If the contract was solemnized after that date, the notary should have submitted it – except in specific cases.

The most common exceptions are:

• Apartments under construction (buildings are not yet registered because they lack a use permit)

• Illegal/unregistered buildings

In these situations, buyers must wait for the building to be registered and then subsequently submit a request for registration of their ownership.

2.You Can No Longer Submit Requests to the Cadastre on Your Own

Another significant change concerns the method of submitting requests. Citizens can no longer submit requests for registration of ownership rights in person at the counter. Requests are submitted exclusively electronically, through professional users – most often attorneys with access to the e-counter or authorized geodetic organizations.

3. I Pay Property Tax, But I Am Not Registered as the Owner?

This is one of the most common misunderstandings. Many believe that paying property tax or transferring utility bills to their name is the same as registering ownership rights. However, registration in the cadastre is not automatic and does not happen on its own.

If you have a contract notarized in court but never submitted a request for registration, it is possible that the previous owner is still listed as the owner. This is especially common for contracts concluded between 1990 and 2010.

✅How to check if you are registered?

Visit the public access to the Republic Geodetic Authority (RGZ) at katastar.rgz.gov.rs and check the property status by address or parcel number.

4. How to Submit a Request for Registration of Ownership Rights?

For all contracts (whether new or old), for registration of ownership rights you need:

• A contract with a clausula intabulandi (registration clause)

• An attorney or geodetic engineer with access to the e-counter to submit an electronic request

If you have an older contract notarized before 2014, the cadastre may register ownership with a note (zabeležba) regarding the date of notarization. If you submit a court certificate of the contract’s notarization, the note can be avoided or deleted if already entered.

5. You Submitted a Request, but Have Not Received a Decision Even After a Year?

Unfortunately, many citizens wait months or even years for a cadastre decision. The reasons can vary:

• Priority is given to cases submitted by notaries

• Your request may be “blocked” due to unresolved previous requests on the same property

• Lack of staff in RGZ services

✅What can you do?

• Submit an urgent request (urgencija) or a complaint about the service’s work

• File an appeal for administrative silence if no decision has been made within the
  statutory deadline

• Schedule a conversation with the head of the cadastre service through the RGZ Info Center