In short: the Public Registry of Panama is the body where the country’s companies, foundations, properties and mortgages are recorded. Its portal lets anyone check for free, from anywhere, who owns a property, who the directors of a company are, or whether a property carries a mortgage. Official certificates are requested online, take 24 to 48 hours and are valid for 30 days. It is the first check anyone should make before buying property or contracting with a Panamanian company.
What is recorded in the Public Registry
| Section | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Mercantile | Corporations, limited liability companies, foreign companies, private interest foundations: directors, officers, resident agent, capital, powers of attorney. |
| Property | Properties (fincas): owner, location, measurements, boundaries, registered value and all previous sales. |
| Mortgages and encumbrances | Mortgages, antichresis, attachments and seizures on a property. |
| Horizontal property | Co-ownership regulations and units of each PH. |
| Persons | General powers of attorney, marriage settlements, guardianships. |
| Ships and aircraft | Registry of Panamanian-flagged vessels and aircraft. |
How to search online
- Go to the Public Registry portal and choose searches. The basic search needs no account.
- Search a property by finca number, location code or owner name. The record shows the current owner, area, registered value and whether there is a mortgage or encumbrance.
- Search a company by name or folio number. The record shows date of incorporation, directors, officers, resident agent and whether it is active or dissolved.
- View the images of the recorded deeds, digitised for most entries.
- Request a certificate if an official document is needed: it is requested online, paid for and received with electronic signature in 24 to 48 hours.
Key fact: in Panama anyone can check online, without an account or fee, who owns a property and who runs a company. The official Public Registry certificate is valid for 30 days and is the document banks, notaries and buyers ask for.
What to check before buying property
- That the seller is the registered owner. If a company is selling, that the signatory has a recorded power of attorney.
- That there are no mortgages, seizures or attachments in force, or that the seller cancels them before the deed.
- That measurements and boundaries match the cadastral plan.
- That the property is up to date on property tax, which is checked with the DGI, not the Registry.
What to check before contracting with a company
- That it exists and is active, not dissolved.
- Who the directors and legal representative are, and whether the signatory has a power of attorney.
- Whether there are recent changes of directors or resident agent, which may indicate a transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out who owns a property in Panama?
By searching the property on the Public Registry portal by finca number or name. The record shows the current owner, registered value and any mortgages or encumbrances. The search is free.
How do I verify a company in Panama?
By searching it by name or folio in the Mercantile section of the Public Registry. It shows date of incorporation, directors, officers, resident agent and whether it is active.
How long is a Public Registry certificate valid?
Official certificates are valid for 30 days from issue and are the ones banks, notaries and buyers require for any transaction.
Related articles
- Buying property in Panama as a foreigner
- How to set up an offshore company in Panama
- Digital procedures in Panama
Sources
- Public Registry of Panama, searches and online services.
- Public Registry of Panama, web search guide.
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