Complete Registration Process — Step by Step
| Step | Action | Where | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finalise sale deed — lawyer drafts deed with all property details, consideration, and parties | Lawyer's office | 1–3 days |
| 2 | Calculate stamp duty — based on higher of sale price or guideline value; pay via e-stamp or franking | Online or authorised bank | 1 day |
| 3 | Book appointment — Sub-Registrar online appointment portal (most states) | State registration portal | 1–2 days advance |
| 4 | Attend Sub-Registrar — buyer, seller, 2 witnesses; carry all original documents + photocopies | Sub-Registrar's Office | 2–4 hours |
| 5 | Pay registration charges — 1% of property value (subject to state cap) — by DD or online | Sub-Registrar's Office | Day of registration |
| 6 | Biometric verification — all parties provide thumb impressions and are photographed | Sub-Registrar's Office | Day of registration |
| 7 | Receive registered deed — with Sub-Registrar's seal, number, and signature; same day or within 7 days | Sub-Registrar's Office | Same day – 7 days |
| 8 | Apply for mutation — update khata/patta at municipal office to transfer ownership in revenue records | BBMP/Municipal office | Within 3–6 months |
Documents Required for Registration
Registration Day Document Checklist
- Executed sale deed: Signed by buyer and seller — on stamp paper as per stamp duty paid
- Identity proof: Aadhaar card and PAN card — buyer, seller, and witnesses (originals + photocopies)
- Property documents: Previous sale deed, khata/patta, property tax receipt
- Encumbrance Certificate: Recent EC confirming no encumbrances
- NOC from bank: If seller had home loan — bank NOC confirming loan cleared
- Stamp duty receipt: E-stamp or franking proof of stamp duty paid
- Photographs: 2 passport photos each — buyer and seller
- Two witnesses: With Aadhaar/PAN copies — not related to transaction ideally
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Property registration involves: (1) Pay stamp duty via e-stamp or franking, (2) Lawyer drafts sale deed, (3) Book online appointment at Sub-Registrar, (4) Attend with buyer, seller, 2 witnesses and all documents, (5) Biometric verification, (6) Pay registration charges (1%), (7) Receive registered deed, (8) Apply for mutation. The Sub-Registrar visit typically takes 2–4 hours.
Yes. Under Section 17 of the Registration Act 1908, all transfers of immovable property valued above ₹100 must be registered. An unregistered sale deed is void — it cannot be used as evidence of ownership in court and does not create legal title. Registration creates a public record of the transfer and is the legally definitive proof of property ownership.
Required documents: executed sale deed (on stamp paper), Aadhaar and PAN of buyer, seller, and 2 witnesses, previous sale deed and property documents, recent Encumbrance Certificate, property tax receipt, NOC from bank if existing loan, stamp duty payment receipt, and 2 passport photographs each of buyer and seller. Both originals and photocopies needed.
With a pre-booked online appointment, the Sub-Registrar visit takes 2–4 hours. The registered deed is returned the same day in most cases, or within 1–7 working days. Post-registration, mutation (updating revenue records) at the municipal office takes an additional 2–8 weeks depending on the state.
Fully online registration without physical presence is not yet available across India as biometric verification requires in-person attendance. However, most states offer: online appointment booking, online stamp duty payment via e-stamp, pre-submission of documents digitally, and status tracking. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana have the most advanced online pre-registration systems.