Lawyer, notary, engineer, surveyor: licensed professionals in the Dominican Republic

Who is involved in a purchase or a construction project?

Several professionals may work on the same file. Their roles are complementary: one does not replace another. If you are a foreign buyer, it helps to know that these professions do not necessarily match those with the same name in your home country (see buying as a foreigner).

The lawyer

The lawyer reviews the title deed, the certificate of legal status, any encumbrances (mortgage, opposition, litigation) and whether the title matches the land. They draft or review the promise of sale and the sale contract and generally handle the registration steps with the Registro de Títulos. Lawyers are registered with the bar association (colegio de abogados).

The notary

The notary certifies signatures and authenticates certain deeds. The role may differ from that of a notary in other countries: the notary is not necessarily tasked with checking the property's full legal situation. It is therefore wise not to treat the notary's involvement as a complete check of the transaction.

The engineer and the architect

Registered with CODIA, they design the architectural, structural and building-systems plans, sign them for the building license application and may supervise the works. Each is professionally responsible for what they sign or supervise. An engineer or architect can also carry out a technical inspection of an existing property.

The surveyor (agrimensor)

The surveyor, known locally as an agrimensor, is also registered with CODIA. They carry out the mensura, that is, measuring and defining the boundaries of the land, and prepare technical work such as the deslinde, which is submitted to the Dirección de Mensuras Catastrales. On site, they can check boundary markers, lot lines and possible encroachments (see the deslinde).

The real estate agent

The agent connects sellers and buyers, organizes viewings and helps with negotiation. Agents are generally paid when the sale goes through. Their role is commercial: they do not replace the lawyer, the engineer or the surveyor. It is advisable to check their experience, references and the business structure through which they work.

Why it matters

An error in the title, the boundaries or the structure usually costs far more to fix after the purchase than to spot beforehand. Plans signed by someone who is not licensed can complicate obtaining or checking a license (see building permits). A mensura carried out by someone who is not licensed can cause problems at registration.

How to check a registration

• Ask for the professional's full name and registration number.
• For a lawyer, check with the colegio de abogados; for an engineer, architect or surveyor, check with CODIA, using whatever lookup options they make available.
• Make sure the name, number and stamp on the plans or reports belong to that person.
• For a notary, check their status with the relevant body; your lawyer can confirm it.
• Put the assignment in writing: what it covers and what it does not.

Why a lawyer independent of the transaction

The agent is paid if the sale goes ahead. The seller's or developer's lawyer protects their interests. A lawyer you choose yourself, pay directly and who receives no commission on the sale works for you alone. They can advise you to renegotiate, ask for contractual protections or walk away.

For transparency: Terrenas Check is run by THERD SRL, which also runs the THERD real estate agency. If the property to be checked is sold or managed by that agency, we tell you before the assignment and the check is carried out by a professional independent of the transaction (see who we are). In any case, we recommend that you choose your own lawyer.

Questions to ask each professional

1. What is your registration number?
2. Do you have any connection with the seller, the developer or the agency?
3. Who pays you in this transaction, and how?
4. What exactly is your assignment, and what does it not cover?
5. Will you do the work yourself or hand it to someone else?

Common pitfalls

• Using the lawyer suggested by the seller without checking their independence.
• Thinking that the notary's certification of signatures amounts to a full check.
• Signing a very broad power of attorney without understanding its scope.
• Accepting plans signed by someone whose registration has not been checked.
• Relying on an old mensura without checking it on the ground.

How we can help

Our checks are carried out or validated by a licensed professional depending on the issue: a lawyer for the title and deeds, an engineer or architect for technical matters, a surveyor for boundaries. Depending on your needs: title check, land check, technical inspection. The full process is described in the steps of a purchase. Our report helps you ask the right questions; it is not personalized legal advice. To get started, request a check.