The Property Registry of El Salvador (CNR)
What the registry records
Each property has a registration number in the Real Property and Mortgage Registry. The entry shows the owner and share, the mortgages, attachments and other liens, and documents filed but not yet registered. The cadastre, also run by the CNR, holds the maps and the property code; streets, rivers, mangroves, lakes and beaches are coded as public land. The Civil Code requires a sale or mortgage to be registered to have effect against third parties, and a mortgage counts from the date it is filed.4,5
Certifications
| Certification | What it shows | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Extracted (extractada) | Summary: owner, share, liens and documents in process | $8.86 |
| Literal | Full copy of the registry entries | $8.86 plus $0.35 a page |
Source: CNR: services of the Real Property and Mortgage Registry1
The extracted certification can be ordered on the CNR website with the identity and tax numbers of the applicant and the registration number of the property; the published average response time is under two days.2,3
Registration fees
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sale (compraventa) | $0.63 per $100 or fraction |
| Mortgage | $0.38 per $100 or fraction |
| Open mortgage | $0.63 per $100 or fraction |
| Minimum and maximum per document | $8.86 and $5,400 |
Source: CNR: services of the Real Property and Mortgage Registry1
On a $250,000 house, for example, the sale fee is about $1,575 and a $200,000 mortgage adds about $760. Fees can be paid online before filing.1,6
Speed and offices
The CNR lists sales, exchanges, donations, auctions and extracted and literal certifications among its procedures completed within 24 hours of filing. La Prensa Gráfica counts 14 CNR offices around the country.7,8
Registration needs the tax and municipal clearances and, above $28,571.43, the transfer tax receipt. A file that is missing one of them is returned with observations.1
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check who owns a property in El Salvador?
Order an extracted certification from the CNR for $8.86. It shows the owner, the share, the liens and documents in process, and can be ordered online.
How much does it cost to register a sale?
The CNR charges $0.63 per $100 of the price, with a minimum of $8.86 and a maximum of $5,400.
How much does it cost to register a mortgage?
The CNR fee is $0.38 per $100 or fraction of the loan.
Sources
- CNR: services of the Real Property and Mortgage Registry (in Spanish)
- CNR: frequently asked questions (in Spanish)
- Transparency portal: CNR online extracted certification (in Spanish)
- Deloitte Legal: real estate law in El Salvador
- Supreme Court of Justice: national goods for public use, Justicia de cerca (PDF, in Spanish)
- INVEST: property purchase guide (PDF)
- CNR: procedures in one day (in Spanish)
- La Prensa Gráfica: how to find out who owns a property, steps and costs, November 2025 (in Spanish)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
