Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Circular No. 02/2025, Letter No. 20635/G3/2025, dated 15.05.2025
The Head of the Tamil Nadu Government Registration Department issued Circular No. 02/2025, Letter No. 20635/G3/2025, dated 15 May 2025, directing Sub-Registrar Offices to provide chairs and speak to visitors only after seating them. The instruction applies across 587 Sub-Registrar Offices and provides for CCTV monitoring and departmental action for non-compliance.
Purpose
Circular No. 02/2025, Letter No. 20635/G3/2025, dated 15 May 2025, concerns facilities and treatment provided to members of the public who visit offices of the Tamil Nadu Government Registration Department. The department provides document registration, marriage registration, copies of encumbrance certificates and other public services.
The circular records that many people visit the department’s 587 Sub-Registrar Offices every day. It sets standards for receiving visitors who approach Sub-Registrars, assistants or junior assistants with requests.
Who is affected
The circular directly applies to all Sub-Registrars and also addresses all Deputy Heads of the Registration Department, District Registrars for administration, District Registrars for audit, and Sub-Registrars.
Property buyers, owners and professionals are affected when they attend a Sub-Registrar Office for registration or another service. The circular deals with office facilities and how officials must speak with visitors.
Seating and visitor treatment
Circular No. 02/2025 requires the following arrangements and conduct:
- Chairs must be placed opposite the Sub-Registrar’s desk.
- Chairs must also be placed opposite the desks of assistants and junior assistants.
- At least two chairs must be available in front of each official.
- Sub-Registrars must seat members of the public before speaking with them.
- Officials must not keep visitors standing while responding to them under any circumstances.
Monitoring and enforcement
The Tamil Nadu Government Registration Department states that similar directions had already been given through various instructions and during review meetings. CCTV observation showed that many offices were not following the required practice.
Deputy Heads of the Registration Department and District Registrars have therefore been instructed to monitor compliance. CCTV available at the office of the Head of the Registration Department and at offices of Deputy Heads may also be used for monitoring. A breach of the instructions can result in appropriate departmental action.
Administrative follow-up
Sub-Registrars must acknowledge receipt of the circular to the District Registrar. District Registrars must send acknowledgements to the Deputy Head of the Registration Department, who must then forward them to the office of the Head of the Registration Department. A copy was also marked for the Registration Department website.
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Common questions
Must a Sub-Registrar Office provide seating when I meet an official?
Yes. Chairs must be placed opposite the desks of Sub-Registrars, assistants and junior assistants, with at least two chairs in front of each official.
Can a Sub-Registrar speak to me while I am standing?
No. Sub-Registrars must seat members of the public before speaking with them and must not keep them standing while giving a response.
Does the circular apply to every Sub-Registrar Office in Tamil Nadu?
The circular states that the department has 587 Sub-Registrar Offices and is addressed to all Sub-Registrars, along with the relevant supervisory officers.
How will compliance with the seating instructions be checked?
Deputy Heads of the Registration Department and District Registrars must monitor compliance. CCTV at the offices identified in the circular may be used, and violations can lead to departmental action.
