Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala – Uses, Application Process and Fees Applicable

Buying land or property comes with lots of paperwork but can also come with various legal entanglements that should be checked beforehand. The best way to curb such issues in Kerala is by availing an encumbrance certificate. This document highlights one’s ownership details of particular land or property in Kerala.

So now the question arises how to avail it? It involves both online and offline processes, which we will talk about in a bit. However, let’s know what EC is beforehand.

What Is an Encumbrance Certificate?

An encumbrance certificate breaks down important details on ownership and legal and monetary liabilities of a particular property purchased by an individual. It also consists of unpaid dues, taxes, and transactions made in a particular period. It ensures the ownership of a land is secured from any legal threats.

What Information Is Available in an Encumbrance Certificate?

The following details are mentioned on an encumbrance certificate –

Name of the property owner
Details in a sales deed (in case of transferred or gifted deeds)
Transactions details of the land made in a particular year
Documents related to the property
Mortgage details (if bought on loan)

How to Get an EC in Kerala?

Individuals can avail an encumbrance certificate in Kerala online or by visiting their nearest Sub-registrar’s office.

Follow the procedures mentioned below to grab hold of an EC for land bought in Kerala.

How to Get an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala Online?

Following is the procedure to avail EC online –

Step 1 – Visit the official website of the Registration department of Kerala.

Step 2 – Under ‘Certificates’, click on ‘Encumbrance certificate’, and then the ‘Submit application for EC’ option.

Step 3 – Update details of property location as directed.

Step 4 – In the next window, enter applicant details and save it by clicking ‘Save and next button’.

Step 5 – Fill in the mandatory marked fields with Taluk, village, and property boundary. Enter EC period and then click on ‘Calculate the fee’.

Step 6 – After the fee is displayed click on ‘Declaration’ and ‘Submit the application’.

After submission, a pop window appears and clicking on it takes you to an acknowledgement window. One can print this acknowledgement slip or note down the transaction ID to check status or future reference.

How to Get an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala Offline?

The procedure to avail EC in Kerala through offline route is as follows –

Step 1 – Visit your nearest Sub-registrar’s office.

Step 2 – Collect Form 22 of EC. Fill it with your particulars as per requirement.

Step 3 – Submit this form along with property details, title details, and other required documents.

Step 4 – Pay the fees applicable as per the set period of encumbrance.

After submission, the concerned officer will inspect to verify the details, and upon satisfaction, the acknowledgement slip will be generated for the applicant.

What Are the Fees Necessary to Get an Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala?

The table below throws light on the charges applied to avail EC in Kerala.

Head	Charges
Application Fee	₹ 10
5 years General Search	₹ 100
General search for 6 to 30 years	₹ 250
General search over 30 years	₹ 250 + ₹ 25 added for each year

How to Track the Status of Encumbrance Certificate in Kerala?

Applicants can check the status of EC online in the following steps –

Step 1 - Visit the official website of the Kerala Registration Department.

Step 2 - Under the ‘Certificate’ menu, select ‘Encumbrance Certificate’ and then the ‘EC Status’ option.

Step 3 - A prompt module asking ‘Transaction ID’ will appear. Just enter the details and click on ‘Check status’ to know your EC application status.

Step 4 - If the status displays ‘Certificate Issued’, click on ‘Download Certificate’ to get your digital certificate online.

Usage of Encumbrance Certificate

Following are the uses of an encumbrance certificate.

Necessary to prove land ownership
Can be used to avail loans from banks and financial institutions
The village officer can use this document to update the land record
This certificate can also be used for land mutation purposes

The above article throws light on EC, and its procedures through which you can avail encumbrance certificate in Kerala. The online process has made this process of holding this important document seamless. Now it’s upon your preference to choose the route to avail the ownership documents of your purchased land.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ How to download an encumbrance certificate in Kerala?

Visit the portal of Kerala Registration department, scroll down and click on “view/download encumbrance certificate”. Follow these steps to download the digital encumbrance certificate.

✓ How long does EC online take?

The online process of generating an encumbrance certificate in Kerala takes around 6 to 10 days.