Property Registration and Stamp Duty, Unpacked
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Buying property in India involves two related but distinct steps: paying stamp duty, a state levied tax on the transaction value, and registering the sale deed with the local sub registrar, which formally records the change of ownership in government records. Both steps are generally required for a purchase to be legally complete and enforceable.
Stamp duty rates are set at the state level and can vary noticeably depending on where the property is located, along with factors such as the property's classification and, in some states, the buyer's gender or category, which can attract concessional rates. This makes it worth checking the applicable rate for the specific state and property type rather than assuming a flat national figure.
Registration itself typically requires the physical presence of the buyer and seller, or their authorised representatives, along with identity documents and the finalised sale deed, at the relevant registrar's office. For NRIs unable to travel, a power of attorney is commonly used to allow a trusted representative to complete this step on their behalf.