Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908 — Documents containing interlineations, blanks, erasures or alterations
Bare section text
Official Legislative Text
- (1)The registering officer may in his discretion refuse to accept for registration any document in which any interlineation, blank, erasure or alteration appears, unless the persons executing the document attest with their signatures or initials such interlineation, blank, erasure or alteration.
- (2)If the registering officer registers any such document, he shall, at the time of registering the same, make a note in the register of such interlineation, blank, erasure or alteration.
Educational Study Layer
Summary
- The registering officer can choose to reject documents that have visible blanks or edits.
- This rule applies to interlineations, which are words written between the lines of text.
- Erasures and other alterations to the original text are also covered by this provision.
- Executants must attest these changes with their signatures or initials to avoid rejection.
- If such a document is accepted, the officer must record the edits in the official register.
- This recording happens at the same time the document itself is being registered.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a document with handwriting between the lines be registered under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908?
Yes, but under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908, the officer may refuse it unless the people signing it also sign or initial next to those specific lines.
2. What does the officer do if they accept a document with erasures under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908?
Under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908, the officer must make a formal note in the register about every erasure or alteration they find in the document.
3. Is the officer forced to reject a document with a blank space under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908?
No, Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908 gives the officer "discretion," meaning they can choose whether to accept or refuse it based on the situation.
4. Who must sign the alterations in a document according to Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908?
Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908 requires the "persons executing the document," which are the people signing the agreement, to attest the changes.
Practice Quiz
Q1.Under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908, what is the term for words written between the lines of a document?
Q2.According to Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908, how should an executant verify an erasure in a document?
Q3.What must a registering officer do under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908 if they decide to register a document with a blank space?
Q4.Does an officer have the right to refuse a document with a simple spelling correction under Section 20 of The Registration Act, 1908?