Persons to present documents for registration
Section 32 of the Registration Act, 1908 deals with persons to present documents for registration. Except in the cases mentioned in [sections 31, 88 and 89], every document to be registered under this Act, whether such registration be compulsory or optional, shall be presented at the proper registration-office,-- (a) by some person executing or claiming under the same, or, in the case of a copy o The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1909.
Except in the cases mentioned in 1[sections 31, 88 and 89], every document to be registered under this Act, whether such registration be compulsory or optional, shall be presented at the proper registration-office,--
(a) by some person executing or claiming under the same, or, in the case of a copy of a decree or order, claiming under the decree or order, or
(b) by the representive or assign of such a person, or
(c) by the agent of such a person, representative or assign, duly authorised by power-of attorney executed and authenticated in manner hereinafter mentioned.
Gujarat
Amendment of section 32 of XVI of 1908.--In the principal Act, in section 32, the following Explanation shall be added at the end, namely:--
“Explanation.--For the purpose of this section the term “document” shall include the document presented by an electronic means.”
[Vide Gujarat Act 4 of 2020, s. 3]
Section 32, The Registration Act, 1908 (Act 16 of 1908).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
Referred to by 4
- Maharashtra Housing (Regulation and Development) Act s. 9 Promoter before accepting advance payment of deposit, beyond twenty per cent., to enter into agreement and agreement to be registered
- s. 32A Compulsory affixing of photograph, etc
- s. 33 Power-of-attorney recognisable for purposes of section 32
- s. 80 Fees payable on presentation
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Ltd. v. S.P. Velayutham & Ors.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Under Registration Act s.32, every document must be presented by the executant/claimant (or representative/assign) or by an agent authorised under s.32(c). Where presentation is by an agent of the executant/claimant/representative/assign, the agent must hold a PoA executed and authenticated in the manner in s.33(1)(a)–(c); authentication ≠ registration. The registering officer must comply with the Act’s presentation scheme and is not a mere mechanical registrar. Appeals allowed; Madras DB set aside; Single Judge restored. DATE-VERIFIED full REPORTABLE judgment PDF order-6.pdf 2022-05-04 (portal markdown can be a pronouncement stub — PDF is the merits judgment).
On this section: Primary teaching of s.32 presentation: who may present; s.32(c) agent path requires PoA executed and authenticated as in s.33 — not mere registration of the PoA. Registering officer must enforce the statutory presentation scheme.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… Ashok Saluja , reported as 2018 SCC OnLine Del 11410 has held that: "22. The argument with respect to proof of the sale deed is in ignorance of the provisions of the Registration Act, 1908 and the Delhi Registration Rules, 1976 prescribing the procedure for registration of documents. Per Section 32 of the Registration Act, presentation of a document for registration has to be by the person executing the document or by representative or assign or agent of such person. Section 32A requires the photographs and finger print of the person/s presenting the document for registration to be affixed thereon. Section 34 …
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… The argument with respect to proof of the sale deed is in ignorance of the provisions of the Registration Act, RFA 125/2022 Page 34 of 38 1908 and the Delhi Registration Rules, 1976 prescribing the procedure for registration of documents. Per Section 32 of the Registration Act, presentation of a document for registration has to be by the person executing the document or by representative or assign or agent of such person. Section 32A requires the photographs and finger print of the person/s presenting the document for registration to be affixed thereon. Section 34 …
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… This power of attorney is properly stamped. However, it was not registered. 2. The Sub Registrar refused to act upon the power of attorney as it was not a registered document. The petitioner, placing reliance upon Sections 32 and 33 of the Registration Act, 1908 argued that, if the power of attorney holder has been given power to execute the document, he is competent to present such document for registration under Section 32 of the Registration Act. The learned Counsel placed reliance on the judgment of the Apex Court in Rajni Tandon …
Questions about Section 32
What have the courts held on Section 32 of the Registration Act?
Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Ltd. v. S.P. Velayutham & Ors. (04 May 2022) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Primary teaching of s.32 presentation: who may present; s.32(c) agent path requires PoA executed and authenticated as in s.33 — not mere registration of the PoA. Registering officer must enforce the statutory presentation scheme.
How do I find court cases under Section 32 of the Registration Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Registration Act 32, section 32 Registration Act, section 32 of the Registration Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Ltd. v. S.P. Velayutham & Ors. (04 May 2022).
What should I read with Section 32 of the Registration Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 31 (Registration or acceptance for deposit at private residence), section 88 (88. Registration of documents executed by Government officers or certain public functionaries), section 89 (Copies of certain orders, certificates and instruments to be sent to registering officers and filed), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 4 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.
When did Section 32 of the Registration Act come into force?
Section 32 of the Registration Act, cited as Registration Act 32, came into force on 01 Jan 1909, having been enacted on 18 Dec 1908. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 89. Copies of certain orders, certificates and instruments to be sent to registering officers and filed3309 words
- 17. Documents of which registration is compulsory1430 words
- 69. Power of Inspector-General to superintend registration offices and make rules1164 words
- 80. Fees payable on presentation1120 words
- 51. Register-books to be kept in the several offices868 words
- 22. Description of houses and land by reference to Government maps or surveys737 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.