Tamil Nadu CM launches 'presence-less' property registration for homes and apartments
Chennai, August 17: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday launched compulsory 'Presence-less Registration' for the first registration of housing plots and apartments in multi-storeyed buildings. The initiative, announced through a State government press release, is designed to eliminate the need for buyers, sellers, and witnesses to visit registrar offices for property transactions.
The government had earlier introduced 'anywhere registration', which allowed citizens to register documents from any registrar office in the State. The new 'Presence-less Registration' goes a step further by enabling complete online submission and verification of documents, without requiring physical presence at any government office.
Under the new procedure, individuals seeking to register a property must first create a login ID on the designated portal and submit their documents electronically. The seller, buyer, and witnesses are required to upload their Aadhaar cards, which will be verified online. Once the submission is complete, the registrar’s office is mandated to process the application within 24 hours. The registrar may either approve the registration, return the documents for correction, or reject them, following existing verification procedures.
If documents are returned for corrections, applicants must resubmit them within 30 days. After successful registration, the registrar will affix a digital signature to the documents and make them available in the beneficiary's login. Certified copies of the registered documents can be obtained after 60 days.
To prevent fraud and forgery, the system incorporates several safeguards. One key feature is the use of 'Dynamic Random Five Colours' for the endorsement on registration documents. The colour pattern changes with each transaction, and the original colour digital copy remains accessible in the beneficiary's login for 60 days. This allows applicants to easily identify the authentic colour of their registered documents.
Additionally, every page of the registered document will carry a QR code containing details such as the document number, date of registration, and the nature of the document. If any alteration is made to a paper copy, the QR code enables comparison with the original digital version. Any discrepancy will be flagged with an 'X' symbol in the digital document, making tampering visible.
The State government said the move is aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and convenience in the property registration process. By removing the need for physical visits, the system reduces paperwork and delays, while the digital safeguards are expected to cut down on fraudulent registrations. The initiative is part of Tamil Nadu's broader push towards e-governance and digital service delivery.
