Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday, August 17, introduced mandatory online, presence-less registration for the initial sale of plots and flats across the state, aimed at boosting transparency and eliminating the need for physical visits to sub-registrar offices.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay officially inaugurated the digital service at the Secretariat. According to an official press release, the initiative marks the launch of the Registration Department's first phase of transition to the upgraded STAR 3.0 ecosystem.

Under this updated framework, first-sale deeds for apartment units and layout plots must now be processed strictly through digital channels. Builders, developers, and buyers need to set up login credentials on the Registration Department's TNREGINET portal to submit their documentation. Executants, claimants, and witnesses are required to upload their identity details and pass biometric verification—using fingerprint or iris scanning—to complete authentication remotely.

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Sub-registrars are required to act on applications within 24 hours by approving, returning with queries, or rejecting them. If a document is returned for correction, applicants have a 30-day window to resubmit.

To safeguard against fraud and forgery, completed registration documents will feature a dynamic five-color endorsement, a QR code containing registration details on every page, and the sub-registrar's digital signature. Once registered, users can access and download the verified files directly from their portal accounts for up to 60 days. (PTI)