An encumbrance certificate (EC) is the quickest way to see whether a plot in Kerala has a loan, mortgage or other claim against it. Banks ask for it before a home loan, and every careful buyer checks it before paying an advance. Here is what an EC shows, how to apply for it online, and what it costs.
What is an encumbrance certificate?
An encumbrance certificate (ബാധ്യതാ സർട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ്) is issued by the Sub Registrar office. It lists every registered transaction on a piece of land for the period you ask for: sales, gifts, partitions, mortgages and releases. If the land was pledged for a loan through a registered deed, it will show up here.
Needed for loans
Banks ask for an EC, usually covering 13 to 30 years, before they sanction a home or plot loan.
Shows hidden claims
A mortgage the seller has not mentioned will appear on the EC if it was registered.
Confirms the chain
You can match each sale on the EC with the prior deeds the seller gives you.
Available online
You can apply on the Registration Department portal and download the certificate.
Form 15 and Form 16
How to apply for an EC online in Kerala
- Open the Registration Department portal (pearl.registration.kerala.gov.in) and go to Certificates, then the encumbrance certificate application.
- Verify your mobile number with the OTP sent to it.
- Fill in the details: your name and address, the Sub Registrar office, the document number and year of the title deed, the village and survey number, the boundaries as written in the deed, and the period you want searched.
- Pay the fee online and submit. Note the transaction ID.
- Check the status on the portal with the transaction ID, and download the EC once it shows as issued.
EC fees in Kerala
The fee depends on how many years you ask to be searched. The rates published on guides for the online service are:
The portal shows the exact fee before you pay.
How to read an EC
Check that the survey number, village and extent match the deed. Every sale listed should match the prior deeds the seller has given you, ending with the seller’s own purchase. Any mortgage on the EC should have a matching release deed. If a loan is still open, the seller must close it before you register. An EC only shows registered documents, so also check the land tax receipt, possession certificate and the land type in revenue records. Our guide on how to buy a plot in Kerala lists every document.
Plots with documents ready to verify
Areena Living shares the title deed and survey details of every plot, so you can take your own EC before you pay an advance.
42 cent residential plotAmbady Junction, Karunagappally
35 cent residential plotAdinad, KarunagappallyFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to get an EC?
It varies by Sub Registrar office. Online applications are often processed within a few working days. Check the status on the portal with your transaction ID.
Does a nil EC mean the land is safe to buy?
It means no registered transactions were found for that period. You still need to check the title deeds, tax receipt, possession certificate, land type and any court cases.
Can anyone apply for an EC?
Yes. A buyer can apply for an EC on land they plan to buy, using the survey and document details from the seller.
Which years should the EC cover?
At least 13 years for a basic check, and the period your bank asks for if you are taking a loan, often 30 years.
Want help checking a plot?
Ask us for the documents of any Areena Living plot and a site visit.