The Registration Rules
The Registration Rules were approved by the State Government under section 69 of the Registration Act, 1908, and were notified in the Fort St. George Gazette dated 28 June 1949. The source lists an effective date of 1 January 1949 and sets procedures for registration offices, registering officers, d...
What the rules govern
The Registration Rules regulate the operation of registration offices and the handling of documents presented for registration. They were approved by the State Government under section 69 of the Registration Act, 1908, with a notification published in the Fort St. George Gazette dated 28 June 1949. The supplied text does not state a department or order number.
The chapter arrangement covers registering officers, seals, books, forms, languages, property descriptions, presentation and examination of documents, powers of attorney, wills, registration errors, refusal to register, appeals, fees, records and registration using electronic devices.
Registration office access
The Registration Rules contain practical provisions affecting anyone presenting a property document or related instrument.
- Registrar and Sub-Registrar offices must open for at least six hours daily, except on Sundays and notified holidays.
- The office hours are stated as 10.00 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. Altered hours require approval from the Inspector General and must be displayed publicly.
- A registering officer may decline a document presented after 3-30 p.m. when earlier documents leave sufficient pending work.
- Documents are generally taken up in the order received. Preference may be given to women, aged or sick persons, and people travelling from comparatively distant places.
- Documents, sealed covers containing wills and powers of attorney generally cannot be accepted on authorised holidays unless there is a special emergency.
Officers, seals and records
The Registration Rules require a notice outside each registration office stating where the registering officer lives. Where joint offices operate in a sub-district, Joint Sub-Registrars have concurrent jurisdiction throughout that sub-district.
The prescribed seal remains in the personal custody of the registering officer. It is used for registration certificates, attested powers of attorney, certified copies and other listed official records. Registration may proceed temporarily without the seal, but completed documents remain with the officer until the seal is applied.
Registers must follow the forms in Appendix I. Registration offices must also maintain file books for specified maps, plans, copies, memoranda, government records and related communications.
Language provisions
The Registration Rules recognise Tamil and English as commonly used in all districts and sub-districts. Telugu is also recognised in the listed sub-districts. Copies and translations presented under the identified provisions must be filed separately and cross-referenced to the relevant register entry.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can a Sub-Registrar refuse to accept my document late in the day?
Yes. A registering officer may decline a document presented after 3-30 p.m. if there is sufficient work remaining on documents already admitted for registration.
Can my property document be registered on a Sunday or government holiday?
Documents generally cannot be accepted on an authorised holiday unless there is a special emergency. Registration at a private residence may take place on a Sunday or other authorised holiday.
What languages are commonly used for registration under these rules?
Tamil and English are recognised in all districts and sub-districts. Telugu is also recognised in the specific sub-districts listed in the rules.
What happens if the registration office does not have its prescribed seal?
Registration may continue, but documents that have been transcribed must remain with the registering officer until the seal is placed on the registration certificate.
