Short answer: since 2021, Tamil Nadu has changed the patta automatically at registration when the whole survey number or subdivision is sold, the seller holds an individual patta and the area does not change. In every other case, such as selling part of a survey number, a joint patta, inherited land, a gift or a partition, the new owner applies for a patta transfer online through the Tamil Nilam citizen portal on eservices.tn.gov.in, or at an e-Sevai centre. Revenue officials check the application and the taluk office approves it. Transfers that need a subdivision take longer, because a surveyor has to visit.
Patta, chitta, adangal and the FMB sketch
- Patta: the revenue record that shows who owns a piece of land, with its survey number, area and land type.
- A-register: the village register of every survey number, with its land type, extent, patta number and owner.
- Adangal: the register the Village Administrative Officer keeps of each field's classification, crops and source of water.
- FMB sketch: the survey map of the field, with its shape and measurements.
A patta is not a title deed. Your registered sale deed proves ownership. But buyers, banks and government offices check the patta, so it needs to match the deed.
Will your patta change automatically?
| Situation | Automatic? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The whole survey number or subdivision is sold, the seller has an individual patta, and the area is unchanged | Usually yes, soon after registration | Check the patta online a few days later |
| Only part of a survey number is sold | No, it needs a subdivision | Apply for patta transfer with subdivision |
| The seller held a joint patta with others | No | Apply for patta transfer |
| Land inherited from a parent or relative | No | Apply with the legal heir certificate (and death certificate) |
| Gift, settlement or partition deed | Often no | Apply with the registered deed |
| Court decree | No | Apply with a certified copy of the decree |
| It should have been automatic but has not changed | No | Apply for patta transfer |
How to apply online, step by step
- Open eservices.tn.gov.in and choose the option to apply for patta transfer. It takes you to the Tamil Nilam citizen portal.
- Sign in with your mobile number and the one-time code.
- Enter the land details: district, taluk, village, and the survey and subdivision number, exactly as in the sale deed.
- Enter the seller and buyer details as they appear in the registered deed.
- Upload the documents: the registered sale deed, a recent encumbrance certificate, the previous patta, your ID, and a legal heir certificate, partition deed or decree if they apply.
- Pay the fee. The application fee is ₹60. If the land has to be split, there is also a fee for each new subdivision: ₹400 in rural areas, ₹500 in municipalities and ₹600 in corporation areas. The amount is shown before you pay.
- Save the application number and use it to track the status online.
If you would rather not apply yourself, any e-Sevai centre can file it for you. The ₹60 fee is the same there.
What happens after you apply
- The village administrative officer (VAO) checks the application against the village records.
- If the land has to be subdivided, a surveyor visits, measures the new boundary and creates the new subdivision number.
- The taluk office approves the transfer, and the new patta can be downloaded from eservices.tn.gov.in.
Simple transfers often finish within a few weeks. Subdivisions and inherited land usually take longer. When the new patta is ready, check the owner's name, the survey and subdivision number, and the area against your sale deed.
Since March 2026, the Tamil Nilam citizen portal also shows the patta transfer history of a survey number, for private land transferred online since 2016. A buyer can use it to see how the land changed hands before paying an advance.
Common problems and how to fix them
- Name spelled differently: ask the taluk office for a correction, with your ID and the sale deed.
- Area does not match the deed: the surveyor's measurement decides it; ask for the subdivision or the record to be corrected.
- Application returned: it is usually a missing or unclear document. Upload it again with the same application.
- The previous owner's patta was never updated: that earlier transfer has to be completed first, using their deed.
- Application rejected: ask the taluk office for the reason in writing, fix it, and apply again or ask how to appeal.
Why it matters when you sell
When you sell land later, the first thing a buyer checks is that the patta is in your name and matches your deed. A patta still in a parent's name, or one that was never split after a part sale, is one of the most common reasons land sales in Tamil Nadu stall. Our guide on how to sell agricultural land in Tamil Nadu covers the rest of the paperwork.
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This guide is general information, not legal advice. The portal, fees and steps can change, so check eservices.tn.gov.in or your taluk office for the current process. Last updated October 2026.
