NLC Sierra Leone

Our Services

Professional land administration services for citizens, communities, and investors

Land Administration Services

The NLC provides comprehensive land governance services through our national headquarters and District Land Commissions across Sierra Leone

Land Registration & Documentation

Secure and systematic recording of land rights through our national land registration system.

Title Registration

Issuance of legal titles and certificates of occupancy for statutory lands with guaranteed state recognition and protection.

Process:
  1. Application submission
  2. Title search and verification
  3. Site inspection and survey
  4. Public notice period
  5. Title issuance

Customary Land Registration

Recording and certification of customary land rights for families, communities, and clans under the Customary Land Rights Act, 2022.

Key Features:
  • Recognition of family and community landholding
  • Gender equity safeguards
  • Protection against illegal sales
  • Integration with national registry

Joint Titling for Women

Specialized services to promote women's land rights through joint titling, inheritance rights protection, and awareness programs.

Benefits:
  • Enhanced tenure security for women
  • Reduced gender-based land disputes
  • Improved access to credit and investment
  • Legal protection of inheritance rights

Land Dispute Resolution

Fair, efficient, and accessible mechanisms for resolving land conflicts through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and formal adjudication.

Mediation & Conciliation

Facilitated negotiation processes through trained mediators to help parties reach mutually acceptable agreements without court intervention.

Advantages:
  • Faster resolution (typically 30-60 days)
  • Lower costs compared to litigation
  • Preservation of relationships
  • Flexible and creative solutions

Land Adjudication Tribunals

Formal adjudication of complex land title disputes through quasi-judicial tribunals established under the NLC Act, 2022.

Jurisdiction:
  • Boundary disputes
  • Ownership conflicts
  • Inheritance disagreements
  • Adverse possession claims

Grievance Redress Mechanism

Complaints and Investigations Unit (CIU) for handling grievances related to NLC services, staff conduct, or land administration processes.

Process:
  1. Complaint registration
  2. Initial assessment
  3. Investigation
  4. Resolution proposal
  5. Follow-up and closure

Technical & Advisory Services

Professional land surveying, mapping, valuation, and policy advisory services.

Cadastral Survey & Mapping

Professional land surveying services using modern technologies (GPS, drones, CORS) for accurate boundary determination and mapping.

Services include:
  • Boundary surveying and demarcation
  • Topographic mapping
  • Subdivision planning
  • Survey plan certification

Land Valuation

Professional valuation services for taxation, compensation, sale/purchase, mortgage, and investment purposes.

Valuation purposes:
  • Property tax assessment
  • Compensation for land acquisition
  • Mortgage and loan security
  • Investment analysis

Policy Advisory & Research

Expert advice and research services on land governance, tenure systems, land use planning, and sustainable land management.

Advisory areas:
  • Land policy development
  • Land use planning guidance
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Investment safeguards

Service Delivery Process

Standardized procedures to ensure efficient, transparent, and consistent service delivery

1

Service Inquiry & Application

Submit your service request through our District Land Commission offices, online portal (coming soon), or designated service centers. Our staff will guide you through the requirements and application process.

2

Document Verification & Processing

Our legal and technical teams verify submitted documents, conduct necessary searches, and initiate the processing of your application according to established standards and timelines.

3

Site Inspection & Technical Work

For services requiring field work (surveys, boundary verification, etc.), our technical teams conduct site visits, measurements, and necessary technical assessments.

4

Decision & Documentation

Based on verification and technical work, a decision is made and appropriate documentation (titles, certificates, reports) is prepared for issuance.

5

Service Delivery & Feedback

Final documents are issued to the applicant, and feedback is collected to continuously improve our service delivery processes.

General Service Requirements

Common Documentation Requirements:

  • Completed application form
  • Valid identification (National ID, Passport, or Voter ID)
  • Proof of ownership or interest in land
  • Site plan or survey diagram (where applicable)
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Payment receipt for applicable fees

Processing Times:

  • Title registration: 30-60 working days
  • Customary land recording: 15-30 working days
  • Boundary dispute mediation: 30-45 working days
  • Cadastral survey: 14-28 working days
  • Land valuation: 10-20 working days

Service Fees Structure

Transparent and standardized fee structure for NLC services. Fees are subject to periodic review and may vary based on specific circumstances.

Service Fee Range (SLL) Notes
Title Registration (Residential) 500,000 - 2,000,000 Based on property value and location
Customary Land Recording 100,000 - 500,000 Subsidized rate for smallholder families
Boundary Survey & Demarcation 300,000 - 1,500,000 Based on parcel size and complexity
Land Valuation Report 200,000 - 1,000,000 Based on property value and purpose
Mediation Services 50,000 - 200,000 Sliding scale based on ability to pay
Document Search & Certification 20,000 - 100,000 Based on document type and urgency

Note: Fee exemptions or reductions may apply for vulnerable groups (indigent citizens, persons with disabilities, etc.) upon application and verification. Contact your District Land Commission for detailed fee information specific to your case.

Digital Land Services

Land Management Information System (LMIS)

We are currently developing a comprehensive digital land administration platform that will transform service delivery:

Online Service Portal

Apply for services, track applications, and make payments online from anywhere.

Digital Land Records

Secure, accessible digital records replacing paper-based systems for improved efficiency.

Mobile Accessibility

Access land services through mobile devices for greater convenience.

Interactive Mapping

Online cadastral maps and spatial data for planning and decision-making.

Learn About Our Digital Portal

Digital Land Administration Coming Soon

Service Locations

National Headquarters

NLC Headquarters, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Services: Policy advisory, complex dispute resolution, national coordination, LMIS development

District Land Commissions

Located in all 16 districts of Sierra Leone

Services: Land registration, dispute mediation, survey coordination, local advisory services

Chiefdom Land Committees

Operational at chiefdom level across the country

Services: Customary land recording, local dispute prevention, community sensitization

Find your nearest service point or get in touch for specific service inquiries:

Contact Us for Service Information