Registration Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide
Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 1908
Section 15 of Registration Act: Seal of registering officers
Official Bare Act Text
Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary
The Registrar and Sub-Registrar shall use a seal with such inscription as the State Government directs.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 15
Section 15 mandates that every registering officer shall have and use an official seal bearing the prescribed statutory inscription.
Official Seal Requirement: The several Registrars and Sub-Registrars shall use a seal bearing the following inscription in English and in such other language as the State Government directs: 'The seal of the Registrar (or Sub-Registrar) of...'
Authentication Device: Every registered document, endorsement, and certified copy must bear the impression of this official seal.
Statutory Evidentiary Presumption: Impressed seal creates a statutory presumption of official authenticity under Section 79 of the Indian Evidence Act (Section 77 BSA).
Key Landmark Precedents:
Gurbax Singh v. Kartar Singh, (2002) 2 SCC 611: The Supreme Court noted that the official seal and endorsement of the registering officer under Section 15 and Section 60 provide conclusive proof of due registration.
State of Rajasthan v. Basant Nahata, (2005) 12 SCC 77: Affirmed that the statutory seal serves as the essential mark of official state attestation.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:
Examine certified copies of registered deeds to verify the clear impression of the official sub-registry seal; absence of seal invalidates the document's statutory presumption of due registration.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 15
Section 15 mandates that every registering officer shall have and use an official seal bearing the prescribed statutory inscription.
Examine certified copies of registered deeds to verify the clear impression of the official sub-registry seal; absence of seal invalidates the document's statutory presumption of due registration.