The difference between EC vs Patta is simple: Patta (with Chitta) is a land ownership record — it shows who owns the land now, the survey number, extent, and land type. The Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is a transaction history record that shows every registered sale, mortgage, gift, or court charge on the property over a chosen period.
Patta answers “Who owns it?” while EC answers “Is it free from loans and legal problems?” They are issued by two different departments: Patta Chitta comes from the Revenue Department (eservices.tn.gov.in ), and the EC comes from the Registration Department (TNREGINET / tnreginet.gov.in). When buying property, you need both — Patta to confirm ownership, and EC to confirm a clean, loan-free title.
EC vs Patta
Many property buyers think EC and Patta are the same — or that one can replace the other. They cannot. They answer two completely different questions:
- Patta (Chitta): “Who owns this land, and what type of land is it?”
- EC (Encumbrance Certificate): “What has happened to this property — any sale, mortgage, or legal charge?”
In one line:
- Patta = ownership proof (the current owner).
- EC = transaction and loan history (the property’s past record).
Example: Patta tells you “Ravi owns this land.” EC tells you “But there is a home loan mortgage on it that is not yet closed.” You need both facts before buying — which is why banks and lawyers always ask for both.
EC vs Patta Overview 2026
| Point | Patta (Chitta) | Encumbrance Certificate (EC) |
| What it shows | Land ownership & classification | Registered transaction history |
| Answers | Who owns the land now | Any sale, mortgage, or charge |
| Department | Revenue Department | Registration Department |
| Portal | eservices.tn.gov.in | tnreginet.gov.in (TNREGINET) |
| Also called | Land ownership record | Villangam Certificate |
| Key detail | Owner, survey no., extent, land type | Deeds, mortgages, dates, parties |
| Forms | Patta / Chitta extract | Form 15 (has entries) / Form 16 (Nil) |
| Records from | Current revenue records | 1987 onwards online |
| Needed for | Ownership proof, mutation | Clean-title check, loans |
What is Patta (Chitta)?
Patta is the land ownership record issued by the Tamil Nadu Revenue Department. It shows who legally owns a piece of land in the government’s revenue records.
Chitta goes with it and shows the land classification whether it is Nanjai (wetland) or Punjai (dryland) — and revenue details. In 2026, Patta and Chitta are combined into a single digital Patta Chitta.
What Patta Chitta shows:
- Owner name(s)
- Patta number
- Survey and subdivision number
- Land extent (area)
- Land classification (Nanjai/Punjai)
The Revenue Department’s e-Services portal (eservices.tn.gov.in ) — free to view and download.
Patta does not track loans, mortgages, or past sales. It only tells you who owns the land now, not the property’s transaction history.
What is an Encumbrance Certificate (EC)?
An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) called “Villangam Certificate” in Tamil is issued by the Tamil Nadu Registration Department. It is a record of all registered transactions on a property for a chosen period, issued under Section 57 of the Indian Registration Act, 1908.
What the EC shows (for each transaction):
- The type of deed (sale, mortgage, gift, lease, partition, settlement, release)
- The document number and date
- The parties involved (buyer, seller, lender)
- The nature of the transaction
Where to get it: the Registration Department’s TNREGINET portal (tnreginet.gov.in ). Online records are available from 1987 onwards; pre-1987 records need a manual search at the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO).
The EC does not confirm the land type or the current revenue owner the way Patta does it shows the registered history.
Form 15 vs Form 16 (EC Types)
When you get an EC, it comes in one of two forms:
- Form 15: Issued when there are registered transactions in the period — it lists all sales, mortgages, and charges. (Normal for a resale property.)
- Form 16: Issued when there are no registered transactions — called a “Nil EC”, meaning the property is clean for that period.
Why You Need BOTH EC vs Patta
EC and Patta are not either/or you need both before buying property. Each covers a gap the other cannot:
- Patta confirms the seller is the current owner — but not whether there is a hidden loan.
- EC confirms there is no unpaid mortgage or legal charge — but not the current revenue ownership/land type.
Together they give the full picture:
- Patta: the seller owns the land.
- EC: the land is free from loans and legal problems.
If the name on the Patta is different from the latest owner on the EC, it is a title-defect signal to investigate before you pay.
Where to Get Each EC vs Patta Document (Portals)
The two documents come from two different government portals:
- Patta Chitta: eservices.tn.gov.in (Revenue Department) — search by Patta or Survey Number → view/download free.
- EC: tnreginet.gov.in (Registration Department / TNREGINET) — search by survey number, document number, or party name for a chosen period.
EC time and cost: a digitally signed online EC usually takes about 2–5 working days; a certified EC from the SRO can take 15–30 days. Online EC viewing is low-cost/free, with small fees for certified copies.
How Many Years of EC Should You Check?
Unlike Patta (which shows the current position), the EC is checked for a period of years:
- Minimum 13 years — covers typical ownership and legal protection periods.
- Recommended 30 years — for full assurance, especially for high-value, commercial, or inherited land.
- For a full picture, note that online EC covers 1987 onwards — older periods need a manual SRO search.
EC vs Patta: Which One Do You Need When?
Here is document you need for what:
- Buying property: Both Patta (ownership) + EC (clean title). Non-negotiable.
- Applying for a home loan: Both banks require them.
- Selling your land: Both, to prove ownership and a clean title to the buyer.
- Just confirming who owns land / land type: Patta.
- Checking for loans, mortgages, or past sales: EC.
- Mutation (name change after purchase): Patta (transfer), after registration.
Common Mistakes People Make in EC vs Patta
- A Patta does not prove that the property has a clean title. Check the EC to find registered loans, mortgages, or charges.
- Thinking EC proves ownership — it shows history, not the current revenue owner; you need the Patta.
- Trusting only the seller’s copies — always check both yourself on the official portals.
- Checking too few years of EC — get at least 13 years, ideally 30.
- Ignoring an unreleased mortgage in the EC — a closed loan must show a discharge entry.
- Not matching names — the Patta owner and latest EC owner should match.
Conclusion
The difference between EC and Patta is simple but important: Patta (Chitta) is the ownership record it tells you who owns the land and its type — from the Revenue Department (eservices.tn.gov.in). The Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is the transaction history — it tells you about every registered sale, mortgage, or charge — from the Registration Department (TNREGINET / tnreginet.gov.in).
Patta answers “Who owns it?” and EC answers “Is it free from loans and legal problems?” Neither can replace the other, which is why banks and lawyers always ask for both. When buying property, get the Patta to confirm ownership and a 30-year EC to confirm a clean title — and make sure the names match across both, with every old mortgage showing a discharge entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main difference between EC and Patta?
Patta shows the landowner and basic land details. EC shows registered sales, mortgages, and other charges on the property. Patta is issued by the Revenue Department, while EC is issued by the Registration Department.
2. Can EC replace Patta, or Patta replace EC?
No. You need both Patta and EC because they provide different information. Patta helps confirm the landowner, while EC helps check for registered loans, mortgages, or other charges on the property. Checking both can help you make a safer property purchase.
3. Where do I get Patta and EC?
Get the Patta Chitta from the Revenue Department’s e-Services portal (eservices.tn.gov.in), and the EC from the Registration Department’s TNREGINET portal (tnreginet.gov.in). They come from two different government departments and portals.
4. What does Patta show that EC does not?
Patta shows the current owner’s name, the survey and subdivision number, the land extent, and the land classification (Nanjai/Punjai). The EC does not confirm the current revenue owner or land type — it only shows registered transaction history.
5. What does EC show that Patta does not?
The EC shows every registered transaction — sales, mortgages, gifts, leases, and court charges — with document numbers, dates, and parties for a chosen period. Patta does not track any of this loan or transaction history.
6. What is the difference between Form 15 and Form 16 EC?
Form 15 is issued when there are registered transactions in the period, listing all sales, mortgages, and charges. Form 16 is a “Nil EC”, issued when there are no registered transactions, meaning the property is clean for that period.
7. Why do banks ask for both EC and Patta?
Because each answers half the question. Patta proves the seller owns the land, and EC proves the land has no unpaid mortgage or legal charge. Banks need both to be sure the property is genuinely owned and free to be mortgaged for a loan.
8. How many years of EC should I check before buying?
Check a minimum of 13 years, and ideally 30 years for full assurance, especially for high-value, commercial, or inherited land. Online EC records cover 1987 onwards; older periods need a manual search at the Sub-Registrar Office.
9. What if the name on the Patta is different from the EC?
A mismatch between the Patta owner and the latest owner on the EC is a title-defect signal. It means the ownership records do not agree, so you should investigate the reason and get legal advice before buying.
10. Is checking EC and Patta enough before buying property?
They are essential, but for full safety you should also do a court-record check and verify the sale deed chain. Patta plus a 30-year EC, with matching names and all mortgages discharged, gives you a strong, safe basis to proceed.
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