Circular on Payment of Registration Department Charges
The Registration Department, through the Head of the Registration Department, issued Circular Number 10751/CS1/2016 dated 21 January 2019 to instruct all Sub-Registrars on collecting stamp duty, registration fees and other departmental charges. It permits cash for amounts below ₹1,000, demand drafts for amounts above ₹1,000 and below ₹5,000, and online or offline bank payment without an upper limit.
What the circular governs
Circular Number 10751/CS1/2016 dated 21 January 2019 was issued by the Head of the Registration Department to all Sub-Registrars. It governs how members of the public may pay departmental charges, including stamp duty, registration fees and other charges collected by registration offices.
The circular follows government approval for wider use of electronic payment. Its purpose is to promote payment methods described as quicker, simpler, safer and more reliable.
Payment methods and limits
Circular Number 10751/CS1/2016 sets out the following collection framework:
- Departmental charges below ₹1,000 may be paid in cash.
- Charges above ₹1,000 and below ₹5,000 may be paid by demand draft.
- Online or offline payment directly through a bank may be used without any upper limit.
Earlier departmental guidance had required charges above ₹1,000 to be paid only by demand draft. Electronic payment through banks, either directly or online, was later introduced as an additional option. The 2019 circular directs registration offices to follow the payment framework approved by the government.
Electronic stamping background
The Registration Department states that electronic stamping was introduced to eliminate counterfeit stamp papers. It began as a pilot project in nine selected Chennai offices on 27 May 2010 and was extended to all Chennai offices on 6 February 2011.
Electronic stamping was subsequently extended to 56 Sub-Registrar Offices in municipal corporation areas. The source states that electronic stamping was operating in a total of 119 Sub-Registrar Offices when the circular was issued.
Who is affected
Circular Number 10751/CS1/2016 directly instructs all Sub-Registrars responsible for collecting departmental charges. It also affects members of the public, property buyers, owners and professionals who pay stamp duty, registration fees or other charges at registration offices.
District Registrars and Deputy Heads of the Registration Department were required to acknowledge receipt through the reporting process stated in the circular.
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 I pay registration charges in cash?
Yes. Circular Number 10751/CS1/2016 allows cash payment when the departmental charges are below ₹1,000.
When can a demand draft be used?
The circular lists demand draft payment for departmental charges above ₹1,000 and below ₹5,000.
Is there a maximum amount for online or offline bank payment?
No upper limit is stated. Online or offline payment directly through a bank is permitted without any limit.
Which charges are covered by the payment instructions?
The instructions cover departmental charges, including stamp duty, registration fees and other charges collected by the Registration Department.
