Aadhaar Verification Mandatory for Property Registration From October 1

• New identity check covers 63 types of property documents across Maharashtra from October 1

Mumbai / Pune : Property transactions across Maharashtra will undergo an additional identity-verification step from October 1, with Aadhaar-based authentication becoming mandatory for registration of 63 categories of property-related documents.

The new requirement will cover documents such as sale and purchase deeds, mortgage documents and partition deeds. The Registration and Stamps Department will not register documents unless the parties complete the prescribed Aadhaar-based identification process.

The Revenue Department said the measure is aimed at strengthening safeguards in property transactions and reducing the possibility of impersonation, fake identities and fictitious witnesses.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that the measure was introduced following directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. A gazette notification formalising the new requirement has already been issued.

The government said Aadhaar-based authentication will enable the identities of parties involved in property transactions to be verified through a digital mechanism, reducing dependence on manual verification and making the registration process more transparent.

The change could also reduce the role of physical witnesses in establishing the identity of parties, as the prescribed digital verification process will be used for authentication.

Alternative for Those Without Aadhaar

The government has also provided an alternative procedure for individuals who have not been issued an Aadhaar number.

Such applicants will have to submit the acknowledgement receipt of their Aadhaar enrolment application along with another government-issued identity document. They will also need to provide valid documents establishing their relationship with the other parties involved in the transaction.

The revised identity-verification procedure will be implemented across Maharashtra from October 1.