The cadastral system comprises the map, Cadastral Register and Land Register. The map shows the boundaries of real estates and location of the parcels. Real estates and changes in these are entered to the Cadastral Register. The Land Register based on the Cadastral Register contains a list of titles for real estate.

The administrative sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for maintaining the Cadastral Register as regards areas governed by the State. In the beginning of 2010 the responsibility for the maintenance of the Land Register, i.e. the Title and Mortgage Register, was transferred from District Courts to the National Land Survey of Finland.

The Cadastral Register is maintained through land survey operations, which include subdivision, partitioning, reallotment or land consolidation and land-for-land exchange.