This agency was established in 1876 pursuant to the Transfer of Land Act 1874 (38 Vic. No. 13). The Act provided for the appointment of a Commissioner of Titles "for superintending the department hereby established" and other officers, to implement the Torrens system of land registration as well as continue to administer the Deed system (which covered land conveyed by memorials). The "old" system of conveyancing was consolidated in the Registration of Deeds Act 1856 19 Vic., No. 14, and updated by the Property Law Act, 1969.

The first Commissioner of Titles, C.H. James, was appointed in 1876. Until the mid 1980's the Land Titles Office, now known as the Office of Titles, was a sub department of the Crown Law Department. Since November 1984 its controlling agency has been the Department of Lands and Surveys (now known as the Department of Land Administration).