Also called: Patta document, Pattadar passbook (AP and Telangana)
A revenue record, mainly in Tamil Nadu, naming the person who holds a piece of land, with its survey number and extent. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana the holder gets a pattadar passbook.
How it works and what to check
In Tamil Nadu, patta is issued by the taluk office and is now combined online with chitta as a single patta-chitta extract. It shows the patta number, owner, survey and subdivision number, and the land's extent and classification.
After buying land, apply for patta transfer to your name; it is the revenue equivalent of mutation. A patta in the seller's name is one of the first things to check, but title still rests on the registered deeds.
Common questions
Is patta proof of ownership?
It is strong evidence of possession and revenue ownership, but title rests on the registered deeds. Check both.
What is patta transfer?
Updating the patta to the buyer's name after a sale. It is the revenue mutation step in Tamil Nadu.