How to Apply For an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala?
Kerala is one of the first Indian states to digitise the entire process of obtaining property-related documents. You can easily apply for an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala, among other documents, on the online portal of the Kerala Registration Department.
The rejoiceful moment of buying a property can turn disastrous if the property has some legal or monetary complications associated with it. Fortunately, an Encumbrance Certificate (EC) protects homeowners in such situations. You need to furnish this legal document while purchasing or selling a property or when applying for a home loan to show that the property is free from any financial or legal burden.
Read on to know how to apply online for an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala.
Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala
The Encumbrance Certificate (EC) in Kerala is proof of property ownership. It is issued by the Registration Department in Kerala and reflects that the property is free of any legal and monetary liabilities. All legal and financial transactions are reflected on an EC. The EC provides a clean title to the property and can ownership can be transferred without litigation.
Documents Required to Get an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala
Before applying for EC in Kerala, ensure that you have the following documents and information:
- Your proof of address.
- Property and title deed details.
- Property documents from a previous deed: property sale deed, release deed, and partition deed.
- Property registration document.
- The deed number, which you get upon registration, contains the date, book number, and signature of the applicant.
How to Apply Online for an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala
In Kerala, obtaining an Encumbrance Certificate is hassle-free and extremely convenient. All you have to do is follow this step-by-step guide.
Follow these steps to apply online for an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala:
- Visit the Official Kerala Registration Department Website
Click on Kerala Registration Department to visit the official online portal.
- Select ‘Encumbrance Certificate’
Hover your anchor on the “Certificate” option in the top navigation bar and select ‘Encumbrance Certificate” from the dropdown menu. Then click on “Submit Application for EC.” You will get redirected to a new page containing the application form.
- Enter Personal and Property Details
In the application form, you will have to fill out your personal details, document or title deed information, and property details. Once you do this, you can either click on “Save/Update” or continue with the form.
- Calculate the Fee
After filling in the search period, you can click on “Calculate Fee” and provide the fee details.
- Submit Application
Lastly, provide the purpose of the certificate and click on “Submit Application.”
- View and Acknowledge Application
Upon submitting, you will get an acknowledgement message. Click on “view and print Acknowledgement”, and keep the Transaction ID mentioned in the message handy for future reference.
You will get an SMS containing the status of the application.
Importance of Encumbrance Certificate
EC is an extremely vital document because of the following reasons:
- It is a document required while applying for a home loan or loan against property. Thus, without EC, you are ineligible to obtain a loan.
- While obtaining a home loan or loan against property, an Encumbrance Certificate informs you whether the previous owner took a loan using this property as collateral.
- It lets one know how many people have owned the property since its construction. EC also mentions if the concerned property was ever sold or bought without the knowledge of the real owner.
- If you wish to withdraw provident funds to purchase or construct a property, you have to furnish this certificate.
- EC lets you know if the land tax is getting paid regularly for the property. If the tax is not paid for three years or more, you will have to provide this certificate to the village/panchayat officer.
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Application Fee for Obtaining an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala
Depending on the property location and the state government body, the application fee to get an Encumbrance Certificate can vary. The Kerala Finance Act, 2019 specifies the revised charges associated with EC.
| Transaction | Fee |
| Application fee for certified copy and Encumbrance Certificate | Rs. 15 |
| For general search for the first 5 years | Rs. 105 |
| For general search for 6 to 30 years | Rs. 250 |
| For general search after 30 years | Rs. 250 + Rs. 30 for each year exceeding 30 years |
| Priority application | An additional charge of Rs. 100 |
Details in Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala
- Owner’s name.
- Property details.
- Property description.
- Loan details.
- Transactions in chronological order.
- Gift deed details.
- Release deed details in case the property was mutually purchased.
How to Track Status of Encumbrance Certificate?
Once your application form is submitted, you can check the status of the certificate by following these steps:
- Step 1: Visit Kerala Registration Department’s official website.
- Step 2: In the same “Certificate” dropdown menu, select “Encumbrance Certificate” and click on “EC Status.”
- Step 3: A new page will open where you have to enter “Transaction ID”, and a captcha code; then click on “Check Status.”
- Step 4: You can then view the status of your application. If it states “Certificate Issued”, you can click on “Certificate Download” and receive an e-copy in the form of a PDF.
How Long does it Take to Receive an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala?
In Kerala, if you apply at a Sub-Registrar’s Office, it usually takes a minimum of 15-30 days to receive an Encumbrance Certificate. However, you can expedite the process by applying online. Kerala’s Registration Department takes 2 to 3 working days to process your online application form and provide an e-copy of the certificate.
Note that the entire process of obtaining EC varies across states. Thus, the time it takes to get an EC certificate cannot be specified. Moreover, if an applicant does not fill out the application form properly, there can be a delay in receiving EC.
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Final Word
Purchasing a property is a crucial moment in everyone’s life. It is also a financially demanding situation, requiring a lot of planning and decision making. However, this situation can become more stressful if you invest in a property that does not have a clear title.
Fortunately, residents of Kerala can avoid purchasing a property with financial or legal liabilities by obtaining an Encumbrance Certificate. Through its online portal, the Registration Department allows you to apply for EC in Kerala in a trouble-free manner.
FAQs on Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala
Ans: Yes, you can apply for EC offline by visiting your nearby Sub-Registrar’s Office. You will have to fill out a form and provide certain personal and property-related information. Upon paying the application fee at the counter, you will receive an acknowledgement number. The list of offices in Kerala is available on Registration Department’s online portal.
Ans: To apply for EC offline, you need to fill out Form 22 and submit it to your nearby Sub-Registrar’s Office. On this form, you have to legibly mention your personal and property information in detail.
Ans: Upon filing Form No. 16, you receive a Nil Encumbrance Certificate. It is given when the property has no deeds of previous transactions. Thus, for a given period of time, there are no liabilities associated with the property.
Ans: To download your Encumbrance Certificate online, you can visit Registration Department’s website. On the main page, scroll down and click on “View/Download Encumbrance Certificate Online.” Type in your Transaction ID and press “Check Status.” Here, you have the option of downloading your EC.
Ans: In India, most applicants apply for an EC by visiting a Sub-Registrar’s Office. Only Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, and Puducherry have the required facility which allows individuals to apply for EC online.
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Disclaimer: This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.
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