An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is proof that a property is free from monetary or legal liabilities. It is issued only by the Registration Department of the state where the property is located, not where the applicant lives.
Table: EC Portals & Fees (Government Sources)
| State | EC Portal | Fee Structure (Govt Documented) |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | https://pearl.registration.kerala.gov.in/ | Application: ₹15; Search: ₹105 (≤5 yrs), ₹265 (6–30 yrs), ₹30/year beyond 30 yrs; Extra sheet: ₹15 |
| Tamil Nadu | https://tnreginet.gov.in/portal | Application: ₹1; Search: ₹15 (1st yr) + ₹5/yr thereafter; Computerised EC (1987 onwards) – ₹100 (per certificate) |
| Karnataka | EC Karnataka | Application: ₹5; Search: ₹30 (1st yr) + ₹10/yr beyond |
| Gujarat | https://iora.gujarat.gov.in/ | Fees not listed online; issued by the Revenue Dept after application. |
Encumbrance Certificate (EC) – Document Checklist
- Application Form 22 (offline) needs to be taken, and the information needs to be filled out or submitted through the portal (state portal) online.
- You need to take a copy of your latest registered deed (sale deed, gift deed, partition, etc.).
- Property tax receipt or Khata/Patta extract to confirm survey number.
- There should be identity proof of the applicant (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, or PAN card).
- Fee payment receipt (EC application fee).
- Affidavit or Annexure (if necessary).
- If you’re applying offline, check the concerned Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) for the exact form (Form 22 in Kerala, Form 1 in Karnataka, etc.)
Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying from your home state instead of the property’s state.
- Entering wrong survey/document numbers.
- Ignoring sheet-wise fees (₹15/sheet in Kerala).
- Not choosing “priority service” where available (fee doubles in Kerala).
- Assuming timelines are the same everywhere (Kerala: 3–14 days, Delhi: up to 21 days).
- Forgetting that digital vs. manual records affect delivery time.
Encumbrance Certificate (EC) – FAQ
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1. What is an Encumbrance certificate (EC)?
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An EC is a formal document indicating whether a property is encumbered by any liability of a legal/financial nature (like mortgage, loan, litigation, or transfer). It is issued by the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) of the concerned state.
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2. Why is EC important?
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Necessary for property sale or purchase
Essential for approval of home loan
Required for mutation and updates in tax against property -
3. Can EC be obtained online?
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Yes, most of the states provide online EC through their respective registration portals. These include states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, etc.
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4. Is there a single national portal for EC?
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No. Each state has its own registration portal.
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5. Do I need to fill out an application form?
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Yes. An offline application requires a prescribed form (e.g., Form 22 in Kerala, Form 1 in Karnataka). All the applications made online are auto-generated forms as available on state portals.
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6. How many days will it take to get EC?
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Generally 5 to 30 working days, depending on state and SRO workload.
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7. What is the fee for EC?
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Fees vary across states.
Kerala: ₹105 + Search fee per year
Karnataka: ₹35 per year of search
Tamil Nadu: ₹1 for first year + ₹15 for every subsequent year -
8. Can I apply for EC from all states?
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No. You can apply only from the state in which the property is located.
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9. Which documents are generally needed?
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- Application form (specific to the state)
- Details regarding properties (survey no., deed no., SRO name)
- ID proof of the applicant (Aadhar, voter ID, etc.)
- Registered sale deed copies or gift deeds, if available
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10. What is a Nil Encumbrance Certificate (NEC)?
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If there is no transaction/liability recorded while conducting the search, the SRO will then issue the Nil EC.
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11. Does EC constitute proof of ownership?
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No. EC only refers to registered transactions. Proof of ownership lies in the Sale Deed/Title Deed.
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12. For how long is EC valid?
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It is valid for the specific period you request (e.g., the last 13 years or 30 years), but what is usually asked for is 30 years.
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13. Will EC show unregistered transactions?
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No. only registered deeds are covered by an EC. Unregistered agreements will not appear.
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14. Can I get EC for ancestral property?
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Yes, providing the property contains registered deeds and is available in SRO records.
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15. EC can be rejected?
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Yes. It can be rejected for wrong property information, incomplete form completion, or incorrect jurisdiction.
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16. Can I check the status of EC online?
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Yes. EC status can be tracked through many state portals (Karnataka, TN, Kerala, etc).
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17. What is the search period required in EC?
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People now ask for EC for around 13 years or 30 years. Banks will require it for 30 years, typically.
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18. Who issues the EC?
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The Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) of the property jurisdiction will be issuing it.
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19. Can a lawyer apply on behalf of the owner?
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Yes. A lawyer or authorised representative can apply on his behalf with a Power of Attorney.
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20. What are some of the common mistakes made by people while applying?
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- Wrong survey/document numbers
- Applying in wrong SRO jurisdiction
- Don't compare spellings of names in deed vs application
- Did not request the right period (only asking for 1-2 years instead of 30)
- Ignore the online EC facility and waste time putting up offline
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