Land Patta Registration is the evidence of your Land Ownership

Land is often seen as a complicated subject. The existing or new owner(s) of the land parcel(s) must know all documents that they need to have while transacting for a piece of land. Off late, we have been discussing several important aspects related to the ownership of land parcel(s). In this post, we attempt to share some more details about one such important document that has a validity related to the legal ownership of a piece of land. Yeah, we are talking about an important document called the ‘land patta’.

What is a Land Patta?

It is an important document issued by a competent authority (generally, the tehsildar) of the Government of India that includes the full name and other related details (size and type of the land) of the legal owner of the land parcel. This document is also called the ‘record of rights’ and acts as evidence of land ownership, typically in cases of encroachment of land. Having this document is very important, especially in the land deals, as the land patta specifies the name of the individual or person that is registered with the tehsildar’s office as the owner of the land parcel.

Some of the important points to note related to patta registration are:

• Registration patta is a legal document, also sometimes referred to as the land deed

• One-time patta registration is required with the tehsildar office

• Person holding a registered government patta is also termed as pattadar

• No renewal is required after registration of patta is done in a particular owner’s name

• Renewal of patta can only be done when the piece of land under consideration is sold or transferred (by will, succession, or gift) to someone else

• Patta is also needed when government acquires land for industrialization or development under orders of the honorable courts

• Patta may generally be obtained on a nominal fee basis that may vary from state to state

• Term ‘patta’ is mostly used in India and in some neighboring countries

• Onus of initiating land patta registration process and getting the patta registration details updated in government records lies on the land owner and not on the government authorities or any other party

We must also understand the type of land parcels that require a government patta registration are:

• Unconstructed plot(s) of land(s)

• Land parcel(s) with construction

• Piece of land(s) where the owner does not visit frequently

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How can the owner get patta bhumi registration done?

The registration process is fairly simple but may vary from one state to another. However, the general process of patta chitta registration is as follows:

• The owner needs to file an application in the prescribed format with the office of the Tehsildar of his or her district.

• With the advent of technology, the process of filing patta registration has also been automated. In today’s times, the owner of the land can file the application for patta registration online as well. However, it is important to note that there are only limited states, for the time being, that provides online patta registration facility to land owners.

• The application form, in other words also called as patta registration form, for issuance of patta may vary from state to state and generally asks for details of the owner of the land parcel, size of land, location and type of land (residential, commercial or agricultural).

• The application form may need to be submitted along with some additional documents, such as, owner’s identity proof, aadhaar card, etc. as per government norms for processing of application.

• A designated officer from the office of the Tehsildar visits the land for survey and inspection on receiving the land patta registration application.

• On successful completion of the inspection, the patta registration is granted to the owner of the piece of land. The inspector, however, reserves the right to reject the application as well.

• The patta registration certificate can be issued in hardcopy form and may come in English as well as regional languages. It can also be issued in softcopy format, wherever the facility is available.

• An important point to note here is that the same process may apply for transfer of registration of land patta to a new owner of the land parcel.

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Conclusion

Those who read this Article also Consulted a Lawyer about Patta Registration process.  

Irrespective of the fact whether you are an existing or a new owner of the land parcel, the patta registration certificate remains the most important legal document that acts as evidence of the land ownership. It is important for you as the land owner to get the same registered properly. Also, the new owner by virtue of sale or succession or will or gift may need to initiate the transfer process as soon as he or she gets the ownership of the piece of land. The charges of getting the patta registration registered or transferred may be applicable as per norms laid by the state government.

While so much digitization is happening in India, state governments are trying to smoothen the patta registration, patta transfer as well patta verification process for the land owners. The endeavor is to make the process more convenient, comfortable, and hassle-free.