Land Registry in Cameroon: Surveyors, Plans, and Boundary Marking

The cadastre describes land: its boundaries, surface area, and location. In Cameroon, it plays a role at every stage of the land title process, from initial registration to subdivision.

The role of the cadastre

The file for a property transfer or initial registration must include a plan endorsed by the departmental cadastre office (Decree No. 76-165 of April 27, 1976, as amended in 2005). This plan establishes the land's boundaries and surface area; it serves as the foundation for the land title.

The sworn surveyor

The plan and technical file for a piece of land are prepared by a sworn surveyor. The surveyor measures the land, installs boundary markers, and verifies that the surface area being sold matches the area stated on the title. It is advisable to engage a surveyor before making a purchase; discrepancies in surface area or boundaries discovered after a sale are much more difficult to resolve.

Boundary marking and subdivision

• Boundary marking (or "bornage") involves physically marking the limits of a plot of land with boundary markers, in the presence of neighboring property owners.
• Subdivision (or "morcellement") involves dividing a titled plot of land into several smaller parcels, each of which is then issued its own separate title.

In both cases, be sure to retain the signed official reports and plans.

Digitization of registers

In August 2025, a memorandum of understanding relaunched the digitization of land titles.

According to the press, this project was not completed by 2026: the verification of a land title is still carried out through the land registry office.

Learn more

• Land titles in Cameroon
• Buying land in Cameroon