Citizen Charter

What the Citizen Charter covers

The Government of Tamil Nadu Registration Department Citizen Charter effective 1 July 2024 describes services available through registration offices and the department website, www.tnreginet.gov.in. These include registration of documents, societies, firms and marriages, monitoring of chit activities, certified copies, encumbrance certificates and extracts of registered records.

The website accepts online applications for encumbrance certificates, certified copies and marriage certificates. The charter states that information provided online is updated and no physical visit is required for services provided online.

Guidance for property buyers and owners

The Citizen Charter advises a proposed buyer to obtain an encumbrance certificate to check transactions affecting the property. An application should contain full property particulars, including an old survey number corresponding to the new survey number, where applicable. Otherwise, entries under the old survey number may not appear.

Key property information and registration services include:

• Statewide guideline values are available online and in registers held by registering officers.
• The website can be used to determine stamp duty and registration fees for a property and deed.
• E-stamping is available in all areas, and participating bank branches are listed on the e-stamp website.
• Licensed stamp vendors must sell stamps at face value.
• Model deeds are available from registering officers and online. A document may be drafted by its executant, an advocate or a licensed document writer.

Registration requirements

A property document must state the parties' names, addresses, contact details and identity card information, the consideration, market value and full property details. Executants must sign every page, and two witnesses must sign the last sheet. For sale deeds, both seller and buyer must sign and appear before the registering officer.

Documents must generally be presented within four months from execution. The District Registrar may condone a further delay of four months. Wills have no presentation time limit.

Documents concerning property situated in Tamil Nadu must be registered in Tamil Nadu, either at the Sub-Registrar's office having jurisdiction over the property or at the concerned District Registrar's office. Documents concerning Tamil Nadu property registered outside the state are declared null and void with effect from 29 March 1997.

Inspection and return of documents

Sub Registrars may inspect buildings and assess value. Differential duty and a compounding fee must be paid if the assessed value exceeds the value stated. Land inspection may occur where no guideline value is available or agricultural land has been converted, or is suspected to have been converted, into a house site.

Registered documents are returned within a reasonable time depending on office workload. The charter specifies longer handling periods where inspection, clarification or a valuation reference is required.