Encumbrance Certificate: How to View & Check EC Online

16 JUNE, 2026

An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is very important in property transactions. It acts as concrete proof of property ownership, validating both financial and legal aspects. For those seeking a home loan, buying or selling a property, or applying for a loan against one, the EC is a must-have document. It provides a comprehensive record of registered property transactions dating back up to 30 years, offering valuable insights into a property's history. In this blog, we will learn about the EC certificate's meaning, its importance, and why it's crucial in property purchases. Learn how to get your EC certificate online and the documents required.

What is an Encumbrance Certificate (EC)?

An Encumbrance Certificate, often referred to as an EC for property certificate, is a fundamental legal document that serves as an official confirmation of the property's free title/ownership status, indicating whether it is mortgaged or has any legal dues. This certificate is vital for property buyers as it ensures a transparent and hassle-free transaction process. Nowadays, online EC view is simplifying the verification process for potential buyers and sellers.

The term 'encumbrance' refers to any legal claim or burden on a property, such as a mortgage, lien, or court dispute, that restricts the owner's right to transfer it freely. It is important to note that an EC only captures registered transactions. Unregistered agreements, such as family settlements or oral arrangements, are not reflected in the EC, which is why it should always be used alongside other verification documents like the title deed and mutation certificate.

Why EC View is Important for Home Loan Approval

While purchasing a property, buyers face the risk of inheriting liabilities linked to the property. The EC is an important document confirming that the property does not have any outstanding liabilities. By doing an EC check online, individuals seeking to buy a property are assured that the previous owners have not taken a loan against the property in question.
Individuals seeking a loan against property or those applying for a home loan can furnish this document as proof that they are the owners of the property and are eligible for the loan.
Banks and financial institutions make it mandatory to submit an EC before sanctioning a home loan or a loan against property. The EC provides a transaction trail that helps lenders assess the risk of financing. A property with a clear EC, i.e., no recorded liabilities, speeds up the loan approval process significantly and reduces the chances of rejection due to undisclosed property issues.
The EC view is also required for the mutation of a property.
If a land or property tax remains unpaid for more than three years, the document is furnished to the village/panchayat officer to update the records.
An EC is required when an individual wants to withdraw money from a Provident Fund (PF) account to purchase a property.

Types of Encumbrance Certificates

Two types of encumbrance certificates that are issued by the sub-registrar office (SRO):

Form 15: On Form 15, the SRO issues an encumbrance if there is any transaction involving a property that involves inheritance, sale, purchase, lease, loan, gifting, relinquishment, or partition. It records the complete history of the property, including parties involved, registration details, and the nature of transactions. Importantly, it shows previous encumbrances even if they have since been cleared.

Form 16: When an applicant applies for a certificate and the property has no recorded transactions or encumbrances, the SRO issues an encumbrance on Form 16. Form 16 is also referred to as a nil-encumbrance certificate. It indicates a clear title to the buyer, making the property safer to purchase or offer as collateral.

What is a Non-Encumbrance Certificate?

A non-encumbrance certificate (also known as nil-encumbrance) is issued when no transactions like mortgages, loans, or legal disputes are recorded against a property during the specified period.

Difference Between Encumbrance and Non-Encumbrance Certificate

Aspect	Encumbrance Certificate (Form 15)	Non-Encumbrance Certificate (Form 16)
Purpose	To verify registered transactions.	To confirm the absence of any transactions.
Issued When	Transactions are recorded.	No transactions are recorded.
Usage	Property sale, mortgage or loan.	Verifying a clear title.

What Does an Encumbrance Certificate Include?

An EC is more than just a clearance document; it contains detailed information that buyers, sellers, and lenders rely on to assess a property's legal standing. A typical EC includes:

Property details: Survey number, location, size, and boundaries

Ownership history: Names of current and previous owners, along with transfer records

Transaction records: Sale deeds, mortgages, leases, gift deeds, and loans registered against the property

Encumbrances: Any pending loans, liens, or legal charges clearly listed

Time frame: The specific period for which records have been verified (up to 30 years)

Certification: Authenticated by the Sub-Registrar or relevant municipal authority

How to Get an EC Certificate Online?

Visit the Government Portal: Go to the official property registration portal in your state. For example, in Tamil Nadu, you can get the EC view on the portal TNReginet.
Register or Log In: Create an account or log in with your credentials.
Fill Out Form 22: Provide buyer, seller, and property details, along with the specified period. Also include the survey number, subdivision number, and village/area name for accurate results.
Attach Documents: Upload necessary documents like property papers and identification.
Pay the Fee: Complete the online payment for processing the EC. This fee is paid as a processing charge to procure the required details in the form of an EC.
Verification and Issuance: The sub-registrar's office reviews your documents and issues either Form 15 (if there are encumbrances) or Form 16 (if there are none).
Download the EC: Once ready, download and keep a copy for your records.

Remember, an EC check online is crucial for property transactions, ensuring transparency in financial and legal history.

How to Get an EC Offline

For states that do not yet offer online EC services, or if you prefer visiting the office, here is the offline process:

Identify the relevant SRO: Visit the Sub-Registrar's Office under whose jurisdiction the property falls.
Obtain Form 22: Collect the application form from the office counter.
Fill and submit: Complete the form with property and applicant details, attach required documents, and submit.
Pay the fee: Pay the applicable charge at the counter.
Collect acknowledgement: Retain the slip with your reference number for status tracking.
Collect the EC: Once the office completes its inspection of records, collect the certificate and verify all details before leaving.

Documents Required to Obtain an Encumbrance Certificate

The documents required for the Encumbrance Certificate are as follows:

Requirement	Details
Application Form	Duly filled Form (e.g., Form 22), available online or at the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO), stating purpose
Property Documents	Copy of Sale Deed/Title Deed/Gift Deed/Partition Deed (ownership proof)
Property Details	Address, survey number/patta number, boundaries, and area
Applicant ID Proof	Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Passport/Voter ID
Address Proof	Aadhaar/utility bill/ration card
Fee Receipt	Proof of payment of the application fee
Authorisation (if applicable)	Power of Attorney or authority letter
Purpose of Application	Reason for applying for EC (as required in form)

Note: The exact documentation requirements may vary by state. Contact your respective Sub-Registrar's Office to confirm what is needed before visiting.Online Application for Encumbrance Certificate on Property

The majority of states in India allow for the application as well as EC checks online through their official portals. However, the methodology of application as well as EC view differs from one state to another, depending upon their websites and their interface. On the other hand, many states still don't have the facility to apply for an Encumbrance Certificate online, and one must follow the manual procedure.

The applicants can check if their state or the state where the property in question is located has a portal that accepts online EC checks and new applications. The steps to apply manually are quite similar to those of an online application. However, the only difference lies in the physical visit to the respective sub-registrar’s office.

Application Fee for Getting an Encumbrance Certificate

The application fee varies by state and the number of years for which the EC is requested. Here is a rough estimate of application fees for some of the states:

State	Application Fee	Additional Charges	Total (Indicative)
Andhra Pradesh	₹200 (up to 30 years) ₹500 (above 30 years)	-	₹200 – ₹500
Telangana	₹200 (up to 30 years) ₹500 (above 30 years)	₹25 service charge	₹225 (≤30 yrs) ₹525 (>30 yrs)
Kerala	₹10 (application fee)	₹100 (first 5 yrs) ₹250 (6–30 yrs) ₹25 per year beyond 30 yrs	Varies by duration
Maharashtra	₹200 – ₹500	Depends on years & location	₹200 – ₹500+
Delhi	Starts from ₹200	Varies by location & duration	₹200+
Uttar Pradesh	₹200 – ₹500 (approx. for ~15 yrs)	₹15 user charge ~₹100 online service fee	₹315 – ₹615 (approx.)
Tamil Nadu	₹1 (application fee) ₹100 (computerised fee)	₹15 (1st year) ₹5 per additional year	Varies by duration

How Long Does it Take to Get an Encumbrance Certificate?

The processing time for new applications or EC check online and offline applications is different:

Online Applications: Typically processed in 2 to 3 working days. Can change state-wise.

Offline Applications: Generally, it takes up to 15 to 30 days. After you submit the application, your property is inspected by the inspector, after which the certificate is granted.

What Does an EC for a Home Loan Include?

When acquiring a Certificate of Encumbrance on Property for a specific timeframe, it encompasses a comprehensive list of all property transactions registered during that period.

An EC typically covers up to 30 years of property history, offering insights into any encumbrances, such as loans, leases, or legal obligations. It's essential to note that when you request an EC for a particular time frame, you'll receive details limited to that period.

The information is sourced from the records available with the Sub-Register, ensuring transparency and clarity in property transactions. A typical EC for a home loan includes the name of the property owner, property location, survey or plot number, registration details, any mortgages or liens, and a history of ownership transfers, all of which help the lender confirm the property can legally serve as collateral.

Tracking Encumbrance Certificates Application Status

As the Sub-Registrar’s office accepts and receives the application, the applicants receive an acknowledgement/reference number. The acknowledgement/reference number is provided in the case of both manual and online applications. The applicants can use this number to track the status of their applications. Here is how to track your EC application status online:

Visit your state's official property registration portal of your state’s Registration Department.
Log in to your registered user account. Generally, guest users cannot track detailed applications;a loginis required for tracking.
Navigate to 'Encumbrance Certificate' > 'EC Status', 'E-Services' or 'Know Your Application Status'.
Enter your unique EC Request ID or reference number received at the time of application. You may also need to enter property details like the Survey Number, Subdivision Number, and SRO Office.
Check Status: Click on search or submit to view the current status.
- Under Process: Application is being reviewed.
- Approved: The EC is ready for download.
- Rejected/Correction: Details were incorrect, requiring a resubmission.

The processing of EC usually takes about 15-20 days and can also vary from state to state.

Benefits of EC

Here are the benefits of EC for buyers, sellers and current owners.

Buyer: An EC can help in evaluating the prospective property for any obligations and monetary dues. It assures the purchaser that no outstanding financial commitments, such as unpaid loans or mortgages, are pending against the property. A home loan certificate provided by the seller can be utilised as an additional check.

Seller: An EC with no dues and clear transactions can help in selling the property quickly. A clear property helps in attracting buyers easily. A possession certificate for a home loan is the other document that the seller must provide to the buyer.

Current Owner: The EC provides strong validation for property ownership and can be used to verify collateral when applying for a loan against property.

Risks of Not Acquiring an Encumbrance Certificate

If you don’t have an EC, you will land in legal trouble and financial complications.. Let’s analyse some of the risks involved:

Legal Disputes: Without an EC, there can be multiple legal claims and disputes over ownership.

Financial Liabilities: There are chances that there are several unpaid loans or mortgages associated with the property, which may be transferred to the new owner.

Loan Rejection: Encumbrance certificates are crucial in the Home Loan process, and without one, it is difficult to get approvals.

Inability to Prove Ownership: An EC proves the absence or presence of any legal encumbrance on the property. Without it, you will face difficulties proving the legitimacy of ownership for loans and future sales.

Fraud Risk: EC helps verify the authenticity of property ownership, reducing the chances of a fraudulent or multiple-ownership sale.

Property Registration Issues: Authorities may reject registration if the property has undisclosed encumbrances.

Reduced Resale Value: Encumbered properties are less attractive to buyers, negatively impacting resale or investment potential.

Which States Provide Online EC View?

ECs are granted physically in most states, except that a few provide online Encumbrance Certificates. You can check out our guides to portals like TNReginet for EC view online to get an idea of how these portals work.Due to technical issues with the Karnataka government, the Kaveri Online system returned to the offline method in 2020. Later, Kaveri 2.0 was released by the government.

The major states with active online EC services are as follows:

State	Online Portal
Tamil Nadu	TNREGINET portal
Telangana	IGRS Telangana portal
Kerala	Kerala Registration Department - Govt. of Kerala (PEARL)
Karnataka	Kaveri 2.0 (kaverionline.karnataka.gov.in)
Andhra Pradesh	IGRS AP (Inspector General of Registration and Stamps) portal
Gujarat	Garvi Gujarat portal
Odisha	Inspector General of Registration (IGR) Odisha
Uttar Pradesh	Stamp and Registration Department, Uttar Pradesh (IGRSUP)
Puducherry	Puducherry Registration Department

Note: The availability of online services is subject to change. Always check your state's official Registration Department website for the latest information.

Documents That Support Property Verification (Not a Replacement for EC)

While an EC is important, other documents can also help support verification of a property:

Mother Deed/Sale Deed: Establishes ownership history and past transactions

Mutation Certificate: Shows property entry in revenue/tax record only (not ownership)

Property Tax Receipts: Indicate possession indicator and tax payment status

Conversion Certificate (NA): Confirms land use status

Approval from Local Authority (Commencement Certificate): Validates construction approval

Occupancy Certificate: Confirms building completion and habitability

Land Records (e.g., 7/12 Extract in Maharashtra, Patta Chitta in Tamil Nadu, etc.): Reflect possession/revenue records

Records of Rights (RoR)

Certified Copy of Sale Deed: Retrieved from the Sub-Registrar for verification

Court Case Search (e-Courts): Helps identify any ongoing legal disputes

However, it depends on which document your state considers as an alternative.

Conclusion

An Encumbrance Certificate (EC), also known as a Statement of Encumbrance on Property, plays an indispensable role in confirming property liabilities. It's a paramount solution for potential buyers, ensuring a property is free of obligations and current owners. In loans against property applications, providing an EC is mandatory, expediting the process. One can obtain an EC through the sub-registrar's office or online through state web portals.

Always insist on an EC before finalising any property deal. Verifying a property's encumbrance status early can save you significant time, money, and legal complications down the line.

Related Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Form 15 and Form 16 in an Encumbrance Certificate?

Form 15 is issued when there are recorded transactions, such as loans, mortgages, or sales, during the requested period. Form 16, or the Nil Encumbrance Certificate, is issued when no registered liabilities exist on the property for that duration.

Is a digitally issued EC legally valid?

Yes. A digitally issued Encumbrance Certificate is legally valid and accepted, provided it is obtained through an authorised government portal or certified state registration platform.

What information is not included in an EC?

An EC does not capture unregistered transactions such as family settlements, oral agreements, or housing loans that were not registered with the Sub-Registrar's Office. Always cross-check with the title deed, mutation certificate, and property tax receipts for a complete picture.

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What is an Encumbrance Certificate? How to EC View or Do an EC Check Online