What is a nota simple and how to order it online

What is a nota simple?

A nota simple informativa is one of the two ways in which the registrador discloses the content of registry entries (the other is a certificación). It is a short extract of the entries on a property: its description, the holders of rights, the scope, nature and limits of those rights, and any prohibitions and restrictions affecting the holders or the rights. A nota simple is purely informative and does not certify the content of the entries, although the registrador is liable for errors and omissions when issuing it (Article 222 Ley Hipotecaria) [3]. It is issued electronically, with the registry’s electronic seal [3]. The extract is prepared by the Registro de la Propiedad of the district where the property is located [2].

Why buyers and tenants need a nota simple

For a buyer, this is the first check on a property. The Generalitat advises finding out at the Registro de la Propiedad who is recorded as the owner and whether there are charges, such as a mortgage or an attachment: only the person recorded in the registry can sell, provided their rights are not restricted [8]. A tenant is also entitled to check in the registry whether the flat is really being let by its owner [9].

The extract is usually ordered before the deposit and then again before signing the escritura. How to link this check to the deposit contract is covered in our article on nota simple and arras.

What information does a nota simple contain?

The extract shows what is recorded in the registry [1][2][3]:

• identification of the property (finca), including its IDUFIR identifier;
• holders of rights: full ownership, mortgage, usufruct and others;
• the scope, nature and limits of those rights;
• prohibitions and restrictions affecting the holders or the rights.

From this extract the buyer can see whether the property has a mortgage, an attachment or another charge. The notary, for their part, sets out the status of charges in the escritura [4]. More on the notary’s role: escritura pública and the notary.

Who can request a nota simple and which interest to state

Registries are public for those with a known interest in checking the status of a property (Article 221 Ley Hipotecaria) [3]. A request without a stated interest is not processed. The registrador assesses whether the stated reason is legitimate, and the owner of the property can later find out who requested information on their finca and why [1]. So state the real reason: purchase, rental, a check before paying a deposit.

The applicant may choose a registrador even if the property is in another registry’s district: this is allowed for a nota simple (Article 222) [3]. The service includes an English translation on request [2].

How to order a nota simple online: step by step

1. Find the property identifier. Registry details work best: Registro de la Propiedad, municipality, finca number and, if needed, section and sequence number. You can take them from the escritura, an earlier nota simple or the seller’s documents [1].
2. If you do not have these details, choose another search method. IDUFIR (the unique finca identifier across the country), the owner’s name or NIF with a filter by registry, region, province or municipality, the address (you need to know the municipality and the Registro) or geolocation on the map, if the finca has already been geolocated [1].
3. Open the service. The “Propiedad” section on sede.registradores.org has “Nota simple”, “Nota de localización” and “Certificaciones” [6].
4. State your interest. Without it the request will not be processed [1].
5. Pay. According to the Colegio page, the registrador is paid €9.02 per finca. Check the amount on the order screen [1].
6. Read and compare. Compare the owners and charges with the seller’s documents and the listing.

The Colegio page does not give the issue time or the file format, so they are not given here either. The service interface loads via JavaScript and may differ in detail from this description.

How much does a nota simple cost online?

The rate shown on the registries’ website is €9.02 per property. The registrador invoices the applicant directly; taxes may not be included in this amount, so check the total on the order screen. A graphic report (nota gráfica) costs €6.01 and supplements the request [1].

The registrars’ fee schedule (Real Decreto 1427/1989) gives a different amount for a nota simple, €3.005061. Which price applies to an online request is shown by the service at the time of ordering [7]. For comparison, according to the registries’ website a certificación de dominio costs €9.015182 and a certificación de cargas €24.040484, plus an asiento de presentación at €6.010121; taxes are not included in these amounts [1].

How does a nota simple differ from a certificación?

Table data: the Colegio de Registradores page [1] and the Ley Hipotecaria [3]. For a purchase you usually start with a nota simple and order a certificación when you need official confirmation that there are no charges. What suits your case is for a notary or lawyer to decide.

What to check in a nota simple before the deal

• owners and shares: do they match the seller [8];
• description of the finca: floor area, annexes (garage, storage room), whether it matches the listing;
• mortgage, attachment and other charges [8];
• restrictions on the owner’s rights and prohibitions [1].

A nota simple will not show whether the home is occupied by a tenant: you need a viewing and a direct question to the seller [8]. If the details in the extract differ from the seller’s documents, it is better not to pay a deposit until the reason is clear. Notary and registry costs on the transaction itself are covered in the article on notary costs.

What does a nota simple not guarantee?

The information is current as of the moment the registrador issued the nota simple. Between issue and receipt the status of the property may have changed, and the Colegio de Registradores is not responsible for this [2]. By law, the fact that a property is free of charges, or encumbered, can be proved against third parties only by a certificación (Article 225) [3]. These sources give no period during which a nota simple is considered current, so request a new extract before signing the escritura.

A nota simple does not replace separate certificates of debts. In Catalonia the seller must hand over a certificate from the secretary on debts to the comunidad (Article 553-5 Libro quinto CCCat) [5], and the notary requests information on IBI payment [4]. More: comunidad de propietarios and IBI.

When to have a specialist review the nota simple

Whether you need a certificación, how to read mortgage entries and what to do if the details do not match depends on the property. If the extract shows an attachment, a usufruct, several owners with different shares or an entry whose meaning is unclear, show it to a lawyer before paying the deposit. You can go through the extract at a consultation; help with checking the property and documents: documents and support.

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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 02.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.