What is the Clausula Intabulandi, and why is it essential for registering the property in my name?

The Clausula Intabulandi is a formal statement issued by the notary confirming that all conditions for property registration have been met, most commonly that the purchase price has been paid in full.  

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This document is essential because:

• The Real Estate Cadastre will not register the new owner without it
• It protects both buyer and seller by ensuring payment has occurred before ownership transfers
• It is only released once the notary verifies proof of payment  

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Typical process when using notary escrow:

• At contract signing, the seller signs the Clausula Intabulandi
• The notary holds this document (does not release it to the buyer)
• The buyer transfers funds into the notary's escrow account
• Once the notary confirms receipt of the full purchase price, the Clausula is released
• The notary (or your lawyer) submits the Clausula, along with the notarised contract, directly to the Tax Administration and/or Cadastre to complete ownership registration
• Buyers typically do not receive the Clausula Intabulandi themselves - it goes directly to the authorities who need it. Buyers can request a copy if needed, but in practice the document is submitted straight to the Cadastre for registration purposes  

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Important: The Clausula Intabulandi is separate from the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) obligation. RETT is due within 15 days of contract signing, regardless of when the Clausula is issued. While buyers typically wait to pay RETT until they've confirmed the seller received payment, the tax deadline runs independently. Late payment of RETT incurs interest charges (approximately 7% annualized), though this usually only becomes an issue if payment is delayed more than 3-4 weeks beyond the deadline.