What is the CMPF in Ivory Coast?
The Land Ownership Transfer Certificate (CMPF / Certificat de Mutation de Propriété Foncière) is the document that certifies the registration of a transfer (sale, inheritance, donation, exchange) on an existing Land Title (Art. 223 of the 2020 Urban Code). It is issued by the Land Registry (CPFH), exclusively through a notary. Registration fee: 15,000 FCFA — excluding notary fees and registration duties.
Definition complete
The Key Document for Property Transfer
The CMPF (Certificat de Mutation de Propriété Foncière / Land Ownership Transfer Certificate) is the official document that proves a mutation (change of owner) has been registered in the Land Register against an already existing Land Title. It falls under Article 223 of the Urban Planning Code (Law No. 2020-624) and is issued by the Land Registry (DGI / Direction Générale des Impôts) after completion of notarial formalities.
Essential point: the CMPF never applies to land still under a simple ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive / Definitive Concession Decree). Urban land must first have crossed the Land Title stage (registration in the Land Register) before a mutation can be recorded via CMPF.
When is a CMPF necessary?
- Upon sale of registered land or real property
- Upon donation of real property
- Upon succession (hereditary transmission)
- Upon exchange of real properties
How to obtain a CMPF?
- The notary drafts the deed of sale, donation, succession or exchange (mandatory step — no CMPF without a notarial deed)
- The deed is registered with the General Tax Directorate (DGI)
- The notary files the dossier with the Land Registry
- The Land Registry records the mutation in the land register
- The CMPF is issued to the new owner
Cost (breakdown)
The CMPF involves three distinct expense items that must not be confused:
- CMPF registration fees: 15,000 FCFA (official DGI rate)
- Registration duties: collected by the DGI as part of the mutation, according to current schedule
- Notary fees: according to notarial schedule, based on the value of the property
Timeline
Several weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the dossier and availability of documents.
Exemple concret
After signing the deed of sale with the notary, Awa awaits the issuance of the CMPF (Certificat de Mutation de Propriété Foncière / Land Ownership Transfer Certificate) to confirm that the Bingerville land is now officially registered in her name in the land register.
Questions frequentes
What is the difference between the CMPF and the Land Title?
Can one sell land without a CMPF (Land Ownership Transfer Certificate)?
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Autres termes du glossaire
The ADU (Attestation de Droit d'Usage Coutumier / Customary Right of Use Certificate) is the single, secure document that replaces the former Village Certificate as of January 1, 2025. Established by Decree No. 2021-784 and secured by the SIGFU (Decree No. 2021-862), it requires a triple signature (village chief, CVGFR president, developer) and a unique IDUFCI. The ADU is not a property title: it constitutes a provisional recognition opening the path to the ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive / Definitive Concession Decree) — the ACD published in the Land Register IS the Land Title. In practice, the time between ACD signature and its publication in the Land Register is often longer than the official 180 calendar days (BÂTIR N°004, 2022). Published ACD = published Land Title — same legal deed, two stages.
The Rural Land Agency (AFOR — Agence Foncière Rurale) is the public institution responsible for implementing rural land policy in Ivory Coast. It oversees land certification, registration of rural properties, and coordination of boundary demarcation and surveying operations.
Legal document drafted by a notary that formalizes the transfer of land ownership between a seller and a buyer. The notarized deed of sale is mandatory and confers authenticity on the transaction.
Legal entity that must be established with a minimum share capital of 2 million FCFA held by Ivorian nationals, holding an approval from the Minister responsible for Housing and a financial guarantee from a bank or insurance company.
The alienation price is the sum that the buyer must pay to the State to obtain the Definitive Concession (ACD — Arrêté de Concession Définitive) of urban land. Calculated by an ad hoc commission, it corresponds to the market value of the parcel according to the official schedule.