Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Rc.K8/23073/2021, Online Land Records Attestation, 30 January 2023
The Director of Survey and Settlement issued Rc.K8/23073/2021 dated 30 January 2023, asking the Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Directorate of Town and Country Planning and all District Collectors to instruct their offices not to demand attestation of online land record copies by Taluk Tahsildars or survey authorities. Records downloaded from the Tamil Nadu e-services website can instead be verified online or through the 2D QR code printed on the extract.
What the circular does
Rc.K8/23073/2021 dated 30 January 2023 addresses complaints that applicants were being asked to obtain attestation from Taluk Tahsildars or survey authorities for copies of online land records. The Director of Survey and Settlement asks the authorities concerned to instruct all district, taluk, unit and zonal offices not to require such attestation.
The circular was sent to the Principal Secretary to Government and Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation, the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, the Director of Town and Country Planning, and all District Collectors.
Records covered
The Director of Survey and Settlement states that rural and urban textual land records for 311 of 313 taluks had been brought online through TamilNilam Rural and Urban software. Natham land records had not yet been brought online.
Online materials identified in the circular include:
- A-Register records.
- Chitta records.
- Field Measurement Sketches.
- Town Survey Land Register records.
- Urban Block Maps.
All 55.02 lakh Field Measurement Sketches and Block Maps for 137 towns had been placed online. The textual and spatial records are hosted at https://eservices.tn.gov.in, are digitally signed, and can be viewed and downloaded free of cost.
How authenticity can be checked
Rc.K8/23073/2021 provides two verification methods:
- Check the record directly at https://eservices.tn.gov.in using details such as district, taluk, village, survey number and subdivision number. For town records, users may enter the town, ward, block, Town Survey Number and subdivision number.
- Scan the 2D QR code printed on the online extract using a QR code scanner on an Android mobile phone.
The circular also cites the Government's direction that digitally signed, QR coded A-Register and Patta records are legally valid and equivalent to signed copies wherever the Online Patta Transfer System has been fully implemented.
Who may be affected
Rc.K8/23073/2021 is relevant to people submitting online land records for building plan approval, layout approval, building licences, property tax assessment, housing loans, agricultural loans and other services. Officials handling these applications are asked not to send applicants to Taluk Tahsildars or survey authorities merely to have online record copies attested.
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
Do I need a Taluk Tahsildar to attest an online land record printout?
Rc.K8/23073/2021 asks the authorities concerned to instruct their offices not to demand attestation of online land record copies from Taluk Tahsildars or survey authorities.
How can an office verify my downloaded land record?
The office can verify it directly at https://eservices.tn.gov.in using the relevant property details, or scan the 2D QR code printed on the extract with a mobile QR code scanner.
Can I download Field Measurement Sketches and town Block Maps online?
Yes. The circular states that 55.02 lakh Field Measurement Sketches and Block Maps for 137 towns had been placed online and could be viewed and downloaded free of cost.
Are Natham land records available online under this circular?
No. The Director of Survey and Settlement states that Natham land records were yet to be brought online.
