Encumbrance Certificate (EC)

Also known as: EC, encumbrance certificate

An Encumbrance Certificate is a sub-registrar-issued statement listing every transaction registered against a specific property during a stated period.

The EC is generated from the registration department's index for the property and period requested. In Karnataka it is issued through Kaveri Online Services as Form 15 when registered encumbrances exist, or Form 16 when none are found for that period. Because it is derived from the registration index, its completeness depends entirely on the property being correctly indexed - a change in survey number, or a deed registered at a different sub-registrar office, can leave a genuine transaction off the certificate.

What it proves

That the listed instruments were registered against the property during the stated period.

What it does not prove

An EC does not show equitable mortgages created by deposit of title deeds, unregistered agreements, tax arrears, pending litigation, or oral tenancies. A property can hold a clean EC and still be mortgaged - which is why a CERSAI search is a separate and necessary step.

Issued by

Sub-Registrar, Department of Stamps and Registration