Since the early 20th century, Bahrain has solidified its position as a leader in shaping and advancing key industries, with real estate standing out as one of the most dynamic and influential drivers of the nation's growth and development. The early rulers of Bahrain, insightful and visionary, recognised the pressing need for legislation and regulations to safeguard rights and streamline state management. This foresight laid the groundwork for a clear and coherent roadmap for the future. Since the early 20th century, Bahrain has been a leader in organising and developing many vital sectors, including the real estate sector. The wise rulers of Bahrain at that time, recognised the urgent need for legislation and laws to protect rights and regulate state management, ensuring a clear roadmap for the future.
The Land Registration Office was one of the first government departments established during the reign of the late Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa in 1924. This initiative positioned Bahrain among the pioneering countries in the Arab world in the field of land registration and preserving the rights on property owners.
The Land Registration Office commenced work with a comprehensive survey of all lands and properties in Bahrain. This effort culminated in the issuance of the General Survey Register in 1926, which became a fundamental reference for documenting both public and private ownership. This laid the groundwork for a reliable database that supported the development of urban projects over the years.
In 1929, Bahrain issued its first law governing land registration, reaffirming its commitment to providing a legal framework that protects owners' rights. In 1967 the name was changed from "Tapu Department" to "Land Registration Department". In 2003, the name of the Land Registration Office was changed to the Survey and Land Registration Bureau, aligning with the new phase Bahrain was entering towards further modernisation and organisation.
As a strategic step to enhance the property market and in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, the Cadastral Survey Directorate (previously under the Ministry of Works and Housing) was merged with the Land Registration Department under Royal Decree (34) of 2003 to reorganize the Bureau, forming the Survey and Land Registration Bureau. This merger marked a significant milestone and turning point in the Bureau's history.
The Survey and Land Registration Bureau continues to play a vital role in supporting land development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, adopting a forward-looking strategy that meets modern requirements through a comprehensive and sustainable plan. This plan translates Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 and the government's 2023-2026 program into various initiatives and projects, aiming for a national digital land information management system by 2026.
The pillars of this strategy are based on developing a reliable national data system, providing high-quality services and products, enhancing partnerships with both the public and private sectors, and striving for institutional excellence. The Bureau is also committed to sustainable and effective land development and management by adopting global best practices that support progress and growth in this field. This includes embracing modern technology for surveying and registration processes, positioning the Kingdom of Bahrain as a global model and leader in effective and sustainable land management, contributing to the growth of the sector and serving as a backbone for the national economy.
Objectives
The Survey and Land Registration Bureau is committed to a multi-faceted strategic vision, beginning with the fortification of Bahrain's property market by ensuring the unassailable stability of property ownership through rigorous, transparent documentation and proactive asset management. This fosters an environment of unwavering trust among stakeholders, facilitated by seamless collaboration with governmental and private entities. Simultaneously, the Bureau spearheads the Kingdom's digital transformation within the sector, leveraging the transformative power of integrated geospatial data to directly stimulate economic growth and align with the ambitious tenets of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. Furthermore, the Bureau aims to aggressively accelerate economic diversification and elevate productivity across all sectors by strategically deploying cutting-edge technologies and cultivating a culture of relentless innovation and creative problem-solving.
This commitment to technological advancement and forward-thinking initiatives, will be the driving force behind Bahrain’s journey towards sustainable development, ensuring a prosperous and resilient future for its citizens, while also enhancing the Kingdom’s regional and global competitiveness.
To provide high-quality and efficient services in the field of land management to achieve sustainable economic development.
The Bureau is mandated as the official body that regulates, registers and documents all records and certificates related to spatial and real estate services represented in land survey, topographic survey and hydrographic survey, registration of real estate transactions and the protection of property ownership in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in addition to managing, maintaining and collating fundamental spatial information in these areas.
Reliability
Our extensive experience and outstanding track record in service delivery over decades have solidified our position as a trusted and accredited entity at both professional and technical levels.
Excellence
We are committed to innovation and strive for excellence in all our services to meet the expectations of our clients.
Partnership
Believing in the importance of collaboration, we work closely with the private sector to streamline processes and expedite operations, creating added value for all stakeholders.
Effective Communication
We recognise that effective communication with relevant stakeholders is key to delivering exceptional services and efficiently meeting our clients' needs.
Quality Assurance
We place quality at the core of our operations, adhering to the highest standards and regulations to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable services that meet clients’ expectations.