The government has introduced a significant increase in e-stamp paper fees, making several legal and administrative processes more expensive for the general public. The revised rates affect commonly used documents related to divorce, domicile certificates, utility connections, and property agreements.
This move is expected to impact thousands of citizens who rely on stamp papers for routine legal and official purposes.
Minimum E-Stamp Paper Price Revised
Under the new notification, the minimum value of an e-stamp paper has been increased from Rs. 100 to Rs. 300. This change alone raises the base cost for all legal documentation that requires stamp paper authentication.
Divorce Stamp Paper Fee Sees Major Jump
One of the sharpest increases has been applied to divorce-related stamp papers.
-
Previous fee: Rs. 100
-
New fee: Rs. 1,000
This tenfold increase has raised concerns, especially for families already facing financial pressure during legal proceedings.
Higher Cost for Domicile Certificates
Stamp papers required for domicile certificates, which are commonly needed for school admissions and job applications, have also become more expensive.
-
Old fee: Rs. 100
-
New fee: Rs. 500
Students and job seekers are expected to feel the impact of this revised fee structure.
Utility Connection Documents Now Cost More
For new electricity, gas, and water connections, the stamp paper fee has been increased substantially.
-
Earlier charge: Rs. 100
-
Updated charge: Rs. 1,000
This change directly affects households applying for new utility connections.
Property and Agreement Stamp Paper Charges
The government has also revised fees related to property documentation:
-
Property sale agreement stamp paper: increased from Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 3,000
-
Non-property agreements: increased from Rs. 100 to Rs. 500
These changes add to the overall cost of property transactions and contractual agreements.
Public Impact and Concerns
With stamp paper fees rising across multiple categories, legal and administrative procedures have become noticeably more expensive. Citizens dealing with property matters, family law issues, education, or utility services will now need to allocate a higher budget for documentation.
Final Note
The revised e-stamp paper fees apply immediately and cover a wide range of legal uses. Citizens are advised to confirm updated charges before initiating any legal or official process.
