Instructions on Document Writer Licence Renewals and Duplicate Licences

What the guidance covers

The Tamil Nadu Registration Department communication number 15830/S1/2024 dated 24 May 2024 concerns the renewal of document writer licences and the issue of duplicate licences under the Tamil Nadu Document Writers Licence Rules, 1982. It followed representations dated 16 April 2024 and 9 May 2024 from the Tamil Nadu Deed and Copy Writers Association.

The representations reported that some renewal applications remained pending even after document writers had paid the renewal fee and applied in the prescribed form. Reasons reportedly included pending loss observations raised during audit and the inclusion of a document writer's name in a police first information report. Delays in processing applications for duplicate licences were also reported.

Who is affected

The directions apply directly to District Registrars and Deputy Heads of the Registration Department who act as licence issuing authorities. Licensed document writers seeking renewal or a replacement for a damaged, torn or unusable licence are also affected.

Key directions

The Tamil Nadu Registration Department gives the following instructions:

• Renewal applications received in accordance with the rules must be acted on without delay.
• The rules do not provide for keeping renewal applications pending for any reason.
• A renewal application submitted late without any reason may be rejected under the rule identified in the communication.
• Applications for duplicate licences must be processed without delay when the original licence is damaged, torn or cannot be handled or used.
• A duplicate licence may be issued when the required fee has been paid.
• The duplicate licence fee can be paid online through STAR 2.0 because all fees under the Tamil Nadu Document Writers Licence Rules, 1982 use a single account head.
• District authorities must inform all document writers in their district about the STAR 2.0 online payment facility.

Practical effect

The Registration Department guidance is intended to prevent renewal and duplicate licence applications from remaining undecided. It requires the responsible authorities to take prompt action under the applicable rules, while retaining the stated possibility of rejecting an unexplained late renewal application.