Key points
- TNREGINET (tnreginet.gov.in) offers a free search and view of an EC.
- An EC shows registered deeds only, for the period you search.
- Search back far enough: banks commonly ask for 13 years or more.
- A certified EC is a separate, paid service.
The short answer
An encumbrance certificate (EC) lists the documents registered against a property for the period you choose: sales, mortgages, releases, gifts and settlements. In Tamil Nadu it is searched and viewed through TNREGINET, the Registration Department's portal, whose home page lists a free EC search and view.
BuySellProperty is not that portal and cannot pull an EC for you. This guide explains the steps.
How to view an EC, step by step
1. Open tnreginet.gov.in yourself; avoid advertisements and look-alike sites.
2. Choose the option to search and view an encumbrance certificate.
3. Pick the zone, district and sub-registrar office, the period (start and end date), and the village and survey or sub-division number. You can also search by document number.
4. Enter the captcha and search. The EC opens on screen. Menu names change from time to time; follow the screen when it differs.
What an EC does and does not show
A nil EC for a period means no registered deed was found for those details in that period. It does not show unregistered agreements, and it does not prove the title is good. Read it alongside the patta, the chain of sale deeds and the tax receipts.
A land record is evidence of who holds and pays revenue on a piece of land; it is not a title deed. Before paying any token money, match the seller's name, share and plot number with the sale deeds, check that the latest mutation has gone through, and read the encumbrance or remarks entries for loans and court orders.
Common questions
How many years should I search?
Lenders commonly ask for 13 years or more; many buyers search 30 years. Go back at least to the deed by which the seller's predecessor bought.
Is the free online EC enough for a bank?
Banks often ask for a certified EC, which is a separate service on the same portal or at the sub-registrar office.
Does BuySellProperty issue ECs?
No. Only the Registration Department does. We explain the steps and list property for sale.
Sources
- Registration Department, Tamil Nadu (tnreginet.gov.in), checked 6 November 2026
Last checked 2026-11-06.