Circular No. 05/2023, Ban on Document Writers and Brokers in Sub-Registrar Offices

What the circular governs

Circular No. 05/2023, File No. 23217/S1/2023, dated 22 June 2023, was issued by the Head of the Registration Department, Tamil Nadu Government. It strengthens existing controls on document writers and brokers inside Sub-Registrar Offices, with the stated aims of improving transparency and preventing corruption in registration work.

The circular refers to earlier instructions issued between 2006 and 2020. It adds further enforcement directions rather than replacing those instructions.

Who is affected

The restrictions directly apply to licensed document writers, brokers, Sub-Registrars, District Registrars and Deputy Heads of the Registration Department. Property buyers, owners and other members of the public may notice stricter control over who can remain inside a Sub-Registrar Office.

The Tamil Nadu Document Writers Licence Rules, 1982, include a licence condition that a document writer must not enter a registration office for registration-related work unless directed to do so by the concerned registering officer. The Registration Act, 1908, Part XVIII-A, also contains provisions dealing with brokers.

Key directions

• Sub-Registrars must strictly prevent document writers from entering the office unless the Sub-Registrar has called them for official work.
• If document writers or brokers are found operating or moving inside a Sub-Registrar Office contrary to the instructions, action must be taken under the Tamil Nadu Document Writers Licence Rules, 1982, and the circulars of the Head of the Registration Department.
• A person who violates the requirements may have their licence cancelled.
• A Sub-Registrar who fails to monitor and enforce the restrictions may face strict disciplinary action.
• Sub-Registrars must ensure that document writers do not use seating areas reserved for members of the public.
• District Registrars and regional Deputy Heads of the Registration Department must check compliance during surprise inspections.
• Every Sub-Registrar Office must display the circular on its notice board so that document writers are informed.
• Copies must be served on all licensed document writers, and their acknowledgements must be obtained and retained.

Practical effect for property registration

Circular No. 05/2023 separates document preparation services from activity inside the registration office. A buyer or owner should not expect a document writer or broker to accompany them or conduct registration-related work inside the office unless the registering officer has specifically called that document writer.