Circular No. 06/2023, Entry of Document Writers into Sub-Registrar Offices
The Head of the Registration Department issued Circular No. 06/2023, file number 23217/S1/2023, dated 23 June 2023, providing additional instructions on the entry of document writers into Sub-Registrar Offices. Supplementing Circular No. 05/2023 dated 22 June 2023, it requires a prior invitation letter from the Sub-Registrar, limits entry to the stated date and time, and restricts the permitted visit to between 10 and 15 minutes.
What the circular governs
Circular No. 06/2023 of the Registration Department regulates when document writers may enter Sub-Registrar Offices. It follows earlier instructions prohibiting document writers and intermediaries from being allowed inside these offices and adds a specific procedure for document writers who must meet a Sub-Registrar for official work.
The circular reinforces the requirement that document writers must not enter a Sub-Registrar Office unless the Sub-Registrar has called them for an official purpose.
Conditions for allowing entry
When a document writer is required for registration work or other office-related work, the Sub-Registrar must follow these requirements:
- The Sub-Registrar must send the document writer an invitation letter in advance.
- The letter must state the date of the proposed meeting.
- The letter must specify the time from which, and until which, the document writer may meet the Sub-Registrar.
- The document writer may be admitted only on the date and during the time specified by the Sub-Registrar.
- The time allowed inside the Sub-Registrar Office must be limited to between 10 and 15 minutes.
The circular does not provide a general right for document writers to remain in, or routinely access, Sub-Registrar Offices.
Who is affected
Circular No. 06/2023 directly affects Sub-Registrars and document writers, including licensed document writers. Property owners, buyers and other people attending registration may also encounter restricted access for document writers assisting them.
The operative additional instruction concerns document writers invited for official work. Although the subject refers to the prohibition on allowing both document writers and intermediaries, the detailed invitation procedure in this circular is stated for document writers.
Publication and acknowledgement
All Sub-Registrars are instructed, through the relevant District Registrars, to display Circular No. 06/2023 on the notice board of every Sub-Registrar Office so that document writers can learn about the restriction.
Copies must also be served on all licensed document writers, and their acknowledgement must be obtained and retained. The recipients of the circular are required to confirm that they have received it.
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Common questions
Can my document writer enter the Sub-Registrar Office with me?
A document writer may enter only when called by the Sub-Registrar for registration or other official work. The circular does not permit routine entry merely because the writer is assisting a person with registration.
Does the Sub-Registrar have to invite the document writer in writing?
Yes. The Sub-Registrar must send an invitation letter in advance stating the meeting date and the permitted start and end times.
How long can an invited document writer remain inside?
The permitted time inside the Sub-Registrar Office must be between 10 and 15 minutes.
How will licensed document writers be informed about the restriction?
The circular must be displayed on every Sub-Registrar Office notice board. It must also be served on all licensed document writers, with their acknowledgement obtained and retained.
