Encumbrance Certificate (EC) Online in Tamil Nadu
An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) lists the registered transactions recorded against a property for a chosen period, such as sales, mortgages and settlements. In Tamil Nadu, it is searched and viewed through the Registration Department's portal, TNREGINET. The home page lists a free EC view and download option, and treats a certified copy as a separate service.
- An EC reflects documents registered with the Registration Department for the period searched; it generally does not show unregistered dealings.
- The TNREGINET site lists EC viewing, a free EC view/download option and a search/view EC link, and treats certified copies as a separate service.
- Choose the search period carefully; a short period can hide older transactions.
- The EC is one of several checks in property due diligence, alongside patta, title documents and tax receipts.
What does an Encumbrance Certificate show?
An EC shows registered documents affecting a property during the period searched: sale deeds, mortgages, releases, gift or settlement deeds, and similar entries. A "nil" result for a period means no registered transaction was found for those details in that period. It generally does not show unregistered agreements, and it does not by itself establish that the title is good.
How do I get an EC online in Tamil Nadu?
On TNREGINET, the e-services menu has an Encumbrance Certificate option for viewing EC details, and the home page has a search/view EC link and a free EC view/download option. The exact screens and fields can change, so follow the on-screen options.
- Open the portal. Type tnreginet.gov.in in the browser; do not follow advertisements or look-alike sites.
- Find the EC option. Use the e-services menu (மின்னணு சேவைகள்) and choose the Encumbrance Certificate option to view EC details, or use the search/view EC link on the home page.
- Follow any login prompt. If the portal asks you to log in or register, follow the on-screen prompts.
- Enter the search details. Enter the property details or registered document details that the screen offers, and the period (from and to dates).
- Review the result. Read the entries and use the free view/download option where it is offered.
How can I search by survey number or document number?
The portal lets you search by details such as the district, sub-registrar office, village and survey number of a property, or by the details of a registered document, such as its number and year. The fields shown on the live screen decide what you need to enter; check them on TNREGINET.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns.
| Search by | Details commonly involved | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Property details | District, sub-registrar office, village, survey number and sub-division | Checking the history of a plot or house site |
| Document details | Sub-registrar office, document number and year | Tracing what happened to a particular deed |
If a search returns nothing, check the neighbouring or earlier sub-registrar office, the older survey number or a different sub-division, since many properties changed offices or numbering over time.
How do I select the period for an EC?
Select a period that covers the full chain of title you need to examine, not just recent years. Lenders and buyers often ask for a long period; confirm the number of years your lender or legal adviser requires. Searching only the last few years can hide an old mortgage or an earlier sale, and the period should be consistent with the dates on the deeds in hand.
What is the difference between viewing an EC and a certified copy?
Viewing is an online look-up of the entries, while a certified copy is a document issued by the Registration Department. The TNREGINET home page lists "certified copy" (சான்றளிக்கப்பட்ட நகல்) as a separate service from the EC options (TNREGINET). Ask the party requesting the EC which format it will accept, and check the portal for any applicable fees rather than relying on older articles.
How is an EC used in property purchase due diligence?
An EC is one input into a buyer's checks, not a substitute for the others. A sensible order of checks is:
- Match the seller's name and survey number on the title deed, the EC and the patta
- Read each entry of the EC for the chosen period, and obtain copies of the underlying deeds
- Look for mortgages without a matching release or discharge entry
- Check the patta and chitta (see the patta transfer guide)
- Check property tax and utility receipts
- Have the title chain examined by a lawyer; an EC alone does not certify ownership
- Check whether tax must be deducted at source on the purchase price; see the property buyer TDS checklist
After the purchase, a fresh EC showing the registered deed may be among the documents asked for in a patta transfer application or a loan.
சுருக்கம்
வில்லங்கச் சான்று (EC) என்பது தேர்ந்தெடுத்த காலத்தில் ஒரு சொத்தின் மீது பதிவு செய்யப்பட்ட பரிவர்த்தனைகளைக் காட்டும். தமிழ்நாடு பதிவுத் துறையின் TNREGINET இணையதளத்தில் மின்னணு சேவைகள் பகுதியிலும் முகப்புப் பக்கத்திலும் வில்லங்கச் சான்றைத் தேடிப் பார்க்கலாம்; சான்றளிக்கப்பட்ட நகல் தனிச் சேவை. சொத்து விவரங்கள் அல்லது ஆவண விவரங்கள் மூலம் தேடலாம். காலத்தை நீண்டதாகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கவும்; EC மட்டும் உரிமையை உறுதி செய்யாது.
Last reviewed: 15 October 2026