Having to deal with Administration is usually difficult, and being a non-Czech speaking foreigner in Prague makes it most of the times (always?) impossible. But there is one official institution that really seemed to me to be completely different than others: the Land Registry office in Prague.

I had to go there a few times when dealing with my apartment purchase and now reconstruction (it’s kind of mandatory to validate the ownership – see for example this article). I was usually there right after the opening time (8 am) and it never took me long to get the document I was looking for (usually less than 30 minutes for the whole process). They have a ticket system to queue, and even though all is in Czech, I could found out easily what to do, where to queue, and where to go buy the 100 CZK stamps needed. Surprinsigly a very efficient place, in a new building, with nice people ready to help - so it must be true, there is hope!

Katastrální úřad pro hlavní město Prahu
Pod sídlištěm 9/1800, 18214 Praha 8 (map - subway: Kobylisy, line C)
Tel: 284041111 / Fax: 284042022 / e-mail: kp.praha@cuzk.cz

The office also has an on-line Land Registry database (in Czech only) where to look for who is owning what in the Czech Republic. This does not have any legal value though, it is for information purposes only. In the case an official document is needed (usually a “List vlastnictvi“), you need to go to the office above. Note that the maximum validty of that document is 3 month.

To search for a specific address in the on-line Land Registry database:

• select in the left side menu “Informace z KN“: “Parcela” = parcel, “Budova” = building, “Jednotka” = unit (e.g. BUDOVA)
• choose the city “Obec” (e.g. PRAHA)
• choose the cadastral territory “Část obce” (eg. ZIZKOV)
• choose the building number “Číslo budovy” (usually a number which is on the official address, preceding the street number)
• finally click on the “Vyhledat” button to get the details. Voila!