CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu registration department will make its ‘Anywhere registration facility’ system mandatory for the first sale of plots and flats starting August 17. This will allow builders and developers to register documents digitally without visiting sub-registrar offices.The announcement was made by commercial taxes and registration minister T Logesh Tamilselvan after chairing a review meeting of heads of sub-registrar offices, district registrars, district revenue officers and other senior officials at the integrated commercial taxes complex in Nandanam on Monday.“The initiative is aimed at making registration services more transparent, efficient and accessible while reducing overcrowding at sub-registrar offices,” said Logesh Tamilselvan. Under the new system, builders and land developers can create dedicated logins on the registration department’s portal and submit documents online from anywhere at any time. Applicants will have to upload Aadhaar details of executants, claimants and witnesses, complete biometric authentication through fingerprint or iris scans, upload photographs and make payments online before digitally submitting the documents. If the sub-registrar seeks additional information, applicants can respond online within 30 days. Registered documents, digitally signed by the concerned sub-registrar, along with fee receipts, will be issued on the same day or by the next working day. Documents can be downloaded for up to 60 days after registration.To facilitate the rollout, the govt has amended Rules 32, 52 and 69 under the Registration Act, 1908, and framed new rules to provide legal validity for digitally registered documents. A dedicated help centre will also be established to assist users. Officials said the system requires an internet connection, an Aadhaar-approved L0 or L1 fingerprint device with an iris scanner and a webcam.“The online registration system is expected to reduce waiting time, distribute workloads more evenly among sub-registrar offices and improve the overall efficiency of registration services,” he added.During the review meeting, the minister said the department has initiated measures to eliminate bribery and ensure transparent administration since the new govt assumed office on May 10, 2026. He instructed officials to provide adequate seating for visitors, address public grievances promptly, avoid corrupt practices and ensure registered documents are handed over on the same day.The minister said the govt had transferred 259 sub-registrars since assuming office, filling vacancies in 249 sub-registrar offices and staffing 10 administrative sub-registrar posts. He said the transfers were carried out transparently based on employee requests and administrative requirements to ensure permanent officers are posted in high-revenue and high-volume registration offices across the state.
