Registration Act, 1908 | Part XI: Duties and powers of registering officers

Section 57 of the Registration Act, 1908: Inspection of register books and certified copies

Section 57 regulates who may inspect registration records and obtain copies of entries. Access depends on the register book involved: certain land-related records are publicly inspectable, while records of wills and miscellaneous instruments are subject to specific restrictions.

Section 57: Statutory provisions

Sub-section (1): Public inspection of Books 1 and 2

Subject to the previous payment of the fees payable in that behalf, the Books Nos. 1 and 2 and the Indexes relating to Book No. 1 shall be at all times open to inspection by any person applying to inspect the same; and, subject to the provisions of section 62, copies of entries in such books shall be given to all persons applying for such copies.

Sub-section (2): Book 3 - Wills and authorities to adopt

Subject to the same provisions, copies of entries in Book No. 3 and in the Index relating thereto shall be given to the persons executing the documents to which such entries relate, or to their agents, and after the death of the executants (but not before) to any person applying for such copies.

Sub-section (3): Book 4 - Miscellaneous register

Subject to the same provisions, copies of entries in Book No. 4 and in the Index relating thereto shall be given to any person executing or claiming under the documents to which such entries respectively refer, or to his agent or representative.

Sub-section (4): Searches in Books 3 and 4

The requisite search under this section for entries in Book Nos. 3 and 4 shall be made only by the registering officer.

Sub-section (5): Authentication and evidentiary use

All copies given under this section shall be signed and sealed by the registering officer, and shall be admissible for the purpose of proving the contents of the original documents.

What the registration books contain

Book 1: Register of non-testamentary documents relating to immovable property, such as registered conveyances. Book 2: Record of reasons for refusal to register. Book 3: Register of wills and authorities to adopt. Book 4: Miscellaneous register for documents of specified classes. These descriptions follow Section 51 of the Registration Act.

Who can obtain inspection or copies?

Any applicant: May inspect Books 1 and 2 and the indexes to Book 1 on payment of applicable fees, and request copies of their entries, subject to Section 62.
Book 3 before death: Copies are restricted to the executant of the will or authority and their agent. After the executant's death, any person may apply.
Book 4: Copies may be obtained by persons executing or claiming under the relevant document, or their agents or representatives.
Restricted searches: Searches for entries in Books 3 and 4 are carried out by the registering officer rather than through general public inspection.

How to request a certified copy

Identify the Sub-Registrar or Registrar's office, document number and year, parties' names, and property particulars where available. Apply using the procedure prescribed by the relevant State or Union Territory registration department and pay the notified search and copying fees. Electronic applications and digitally issued copies may be available under applicable state rules. Verify the official authentication of the copy.

A certified copy under Section 57(5) is admissible to prove the contents of the original document; that provision does not, by itself, conclusively establish the genuineness of execution, the validity of the transaction, or title to property. Other applicable rules of evidence remain relevant.

Section 51: Register books maintained at registration offices.
Sections 53-55: Numbering of entries and maintenance of indexes.
Section 62: Procedure concerning documents in languages not understood by registering officers.
India Code: Official central legislation repository for the Registration Act, 1908.
e-Gazette of India: Official notifications and legislative amendments.

Note: State amendments, registration rules, prescribed fees and electronic record systems may modify the practical procedure. Confirm the current requirements with the competent State registration authority.