Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, Part III, Section 2, No. 37
The Registration Department, through the Inspector General of Registration with the prior approval of the Government of Tamil Nadu, issued Notifications No. SRO C-21/2018, SRO C-22/2018 and SRO C-23/2018, published on 12 September 2018. The notifications introduce optional consent-based Aadhaar authentication for identity verification during document registration, permit iris scans when fingerprints cannot be obtained, and recognise electronic processes for supplying digitally stored registration records.
Scope and purpose
The Tamil Nadu Registration (Identity Verification for the Registration of Documents) Rules, 2018 were made through Notification No. SRO C-21/2018 under the Registration Act, 1908. They apply only to Sub Registrar offices or other registration offices notified by the Inspector General of Registration from time to time.
A person may use consent-based Aadhaar authentication when presenting a document for registration, appearing before a Sub Registrar, or being examined under the relevant registration procedure. The facility is optional under the wording of the rules.
Aadhaar authentication procedure
When a person chooses consent-based Aadhaar authentication, the Registering Officer must follow this process:
- Obtain the person’s explicit consent in electronic or paper form.
- Enter the twelve digit Aadhaar number and either a fingerprint scan or an iris scan into the Unique Identification Authority of India system through the registration software.
- Treat either a fingerprint match or an iris match as sufficient.
- Receive the authentication data returned automatically by the Unique Identification Authority of India system.
- Print the authentication information and unique transaction code in the summary report.
- Store the summary report and unique transaction code electronically.
Effect on identity verification
For a party admitting execution of a document whose identity has been verified through consent-based Aadhaar authentication, the Registering Officer must not examine another person merely to confirm that party’s identity. In other cases, the officer may examine people whose identities have been Aadhaar authenticated and verify their details through the Unique Identification Authority of India system.
The authentication information is treated as fulfilling the specified requirements for identifying people who execute documents.
Other registration rule amendments
Notification No. SRO C-22/2018 inserts rule 66-A into the registration rules published on 19 May 1914. If a left thumb impression or another fingerprint cannot be obtained, the person’s iris scan must be collected, stored electronically and recorded in the document endorsement.
Notification No. SRO C-23/2018 inserts rule 147-A. For copies of entries in books and indices stored digitally, it recognises online applications, electronic seals, digital signatures and electronic delivery or grant of copies.
Who may be affected
- People presenting or executing documents at notified registration offices.
- Property buyers, sellers and others whose identity must be verified during registration.
- Applicants seeking electronic copies of digitally stored registration entries.
- Registering Officers responsible for collecting consent, biometric information and electronic records.
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Common questions
Is Aadhaar authentication compulsory for registering a document?
The Tamil Nadu Registration (Identity Verification for the Registration of Documents) Rules, 2018 state that a person may use the facility. They describe it as an option and require explicit consent before it is used.
Do these Aadhaar authentication rules apply at every Sub Registrar office?
No. The rules apply only to Sub Registrar offices or other registration offices notified by the Inspector General of Registration from time to time.
What happens if my fingerprint cannot be obtained?
Notification No. SRO C-22/2018 allows an iris scan to be collected when a left thumb impression or another fingerprint cannot be obtained. The iris scan must be stored electronically, and its collection must be noted in the document endorsement.
Can copies of digitally stored registration records be supplied online?
Notification No. SRO C-23/2018 recognises online applications, electronic seals, digital signatures and electronic delivery or grant for copies of entries in books and indices stored digitally.
