How to Apply for Encumbrance Certificate (EC) Online — Property Verification

An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is one of the most important documents you need when buying property, applying for a home loan, or doing property mutation in India. This guide explains what EC is, why you need it, and how to apply online through your state's portal.

What is an Encumbrance Certificate?

An Encumbrance Certificate is an official document issued by the Sub-Registrar's office that shows whether a property has any legal or monetary liabilities (encumbrances) attached to it. These liabilities can include:

• Mortgage — property pledged as security for a loan
• Lien — bank or creditor's claim on the property
• Lease — long-term rental agreements registered on the property
• Court attachment — property seized by court order
• Gift deed or sale deed — any registered transaction on the property

If the EC shows no encumbrances, it means the property has a clear title and is free from any legal disputes or pending dues.

Types of Encumbrance Certificate

There are two types of EC issued by the Registration Department:

Tip: Getting a Form 16 doesn't mean there's a problem. It simply lists all registered dealings. You need to review the entries to check if any liability is still active.

Why Do You Need an Encumbrance Certificate?

You will need an EC in these situations:

• Before buying property — to verify the seller has clear ownership and no hidden liabilities
• Home loan application — banks require EC (usually for 13–30 years) before sanctioning loans
• Property mutation — when transferring property ownership in revenue records
• Property tax disputes — to establish the chain of ownership
• Legal disputes — as proof of ownership history in court cases
• Gift or inheritance — to verify property history before accepting

Documents and Details Needed to Apply

To apply for an EC (online or offline), keep these details ready:

• Property details — full address, locality, ward/village
• Survey number / TS number / property ID (varies by state)
• Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) jurisdiction where the property was registered
• Period for EC — start year and end year (commonly 13 to 30 years is requested)
• Owner's name (as it appears in registration records)
• Document number (if you have previous registration details)

Note: No physical documents need to be uploaded for online EC applications in most states. You just need the details mentioned above.

How to Apply for EC Online — State-Wise Guide

Karnataka — Kaveri Online Services

Portal: https://kaveri.karnataka.gov.in

1. Visit the Kaveri portal and register/login
2. Select "Encumbrance Certificate" from the services menu
3. Enter the district, SRO, village/ward details
4. Enter the property details — survey number or property ID
5. Select the EC period (from year – to year)
6. Pay the fee online
7. Download the EC once generated

Fee: ₹120 per property (online) — may vary based on period requested.

Tamil Nadu — TNREGINET

Portal: https://tnreginet.gov.in

1. Visit TNREGINET and register/login
2. Go to "Encumbrance Certificate" section
3. Select the district, SRO, and village
4. Enter property details — survey number, subdivision
5. Select the EC period
6. Pay fees via online payment
7. EC will be generated and available for download

Fee: ₹100–₹200 depending on the period.

Telangana — IGRS Telangana

Portal: https://registration.telangana.gov.in

1. Visit the Telangana Registration portal
2. Navigate to "Encumbrance Search" or "EC" option
3. Enter district, SRO, document number or property details
4. Select the period for encumbrance search
5. Pay the applicable fee
6. Download the EC

Fee: ₹200 approximately.

Andhra Pradesh — IGRS AP

Portal: https://registration.ap.gov.in

1. Visit the AP Registration portal
2. Select Encumbrance Certificate service
3. Fill in property details — district, SRO, survey number
4. Choose the EC period
5. Make online payment
6. Download the EC

Fee: ₹200 approximately.

Note: The AP portal may experience downtime. If the site is not loading, try during off-peak hours or visit the SRO office directly.

Maharashtra — IGR Maharashtra

Portal: https://igrmaharashtra.gov.in

1. Visit IGR Maharashtra portal
2. Go to "Search" → "Index-II / Property Search" section
3. Enter district, SRO, and property details
4. Search for registered documents on the property
5. The search results show all registered encumbrances

Fee: ₹15–₹100 per search.

Note: Maharashtra uses a property search system rather than a traditional EC format. The search results serve the same purpose — showing all registered transactions on a property.

Other States

Most other states issue ECs through their respective Sub-Registrar Offices (SRO). Check your state's Registration Department website or visit the local SRO for offline applications.

EC Period — How Many Years Should You Request?

• For home loans: Banks typically ask for EC covering 13 to 30 years
• For property purchase: Request EC for the maximum available period (ideally since the property was first registered)
• General verification: At least 13 years is recommended

Longer period = more comprehensive verification. Always request the maximum period your state portal allows.

How to Read an Encumbrance Certificate

When you receive your EC, here's what to look for:

1. Property description — verify it matches your property (survey number, address)
2. Period covered — check the from-date and to-date
3. Transaction entries (in Form 16):
   • Document number and date of each transaction
   • Nature of transaction — sale, mortgage, lease, release, etc.
   • Parties involved — buyer/seller or mortgagor/mortgagee
   • Consideration amount — value of transaction
4. If Form 15 (Nil EC) — it will simply state that no encumbrances were found for the period

Red Flags to Watch For

• Active mortgage that hasn't been released
• Court attachments or legal disputes
• Multiple sales in short periods (could indicate fraud)
• Missing chain — gaps between transactions

Nil Encumbrance Certificate

A Nil Encumbrance Certificate (Form 15) means:

• No registered transactions were found on the property during the requested period
• The property is free from registered liabilities

Important: A nil EC only covers registered encumbrances. Unregistered agreements, verbal deals, or disputes not recorded with the Sub-Registrar will NOT appear in the EC.

Fees Summary

Fees are approximate and may change. Check the respective portal for current rates.

Common Issues and Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get EC online? A: In most states, the online EC is generated instantly or within 1–3 working days.

Q: Is online EC legally valid? A: Yes, the digitally generated EC from official portals is legally valid and accepted by banks and government offices.

Q: Can I get EC for agricultural land? A: Yes, EC can be obtained for any registered property — residential, commercial, or agricultural.

Q: What if the property was registered in a different state? A: You need to apply through the state portal where the property is located, not where you live.

Q: Is EC same as property title? A: No. EC shows the history of transactions on a property. It helps verify clear title but is not a title document itself.

Related Guides

• How to Register Property Online
• How to Check Land Records Online (Bhulekh)

Last updated: February 2026. Always verify fees and procedures on the official state portal before applying.