Verifying a title deed

G. Shyam Sundar writes on the two types of certifications and how to verify them

The genuineness of any title deed document can be ascertained only when the certified copy of the document is obtained from the records of the sub-registrar. This should be compared with the original document and the same should tally in all respects. Many title deed frauds occur and many fake/bogus documents are prepared. Ironically the quality of fake documents prepared by criminals is better than There are two types of tile deed certifications: Scanned certified copy and Manual certified copy.

How to verify a scanned copy

It is very easy to verify a scanned certified copy of title deed document. The stamp paper denominations, seal and signature of the sub-registrar, signatures of the parties to the document, etc., should tally in all respects.

How to verify a manual copy

A manual certified copy of document may either be hand-written or typed. The contents of the certified copy document should be matched with the original document and the names of the parties to the document, property description, must be correct. Details relating to stamp paper denomination, stamp vendor, document number, volume number, and page number will also be mentioned. All documents presented for registration are scanned in the Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. This facility has been recently introduced in Kerala (not fully across the State). The facility is not available in Chattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi (UT). Except Kerala and Assam, land records in many major States can be verified online.

The writer is a Chennai-based advocate and author of ‘Property Registration, Land Records and Building Approval Procedures Followed in Various States in India’