Sections 58-59 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Sections 58 and 59 say what the registering officer must endorse on a document admitted to registration and how those endorsements are dated and signed. As per the text of the Act consulted, section 58 lists three kinds of particulars, section 58(2) deals with a person who refuses to endorse, and section 59 requires the officer to date and sign the endorsements.
On every document admitted to registration, the officer endorses the signature and addition of each person admitting execution, the signature and addition of each person examined, and any payment or admission of consideration made in his presence (section 58(1)). If a person admitting execution refuses to endorse, the officer must still register the document and endorse a note of the refusal (section 58(2)). Section 59 requires the officer to affix the date and his signature to the endorsements.
Where these sections sit
These provisions fall in the part of the Act headed "As to the procedure on admitting to registration". They apply once a document is admitted to registration and have to be read with section 52 (which section 59 itself names) and section 60 (the certificate of registration), covered in our article on the certificate of registration. Registration is run by the States, and your State may have amended these sections or made rules under section 69; this article explains only the central text and you should check the State position and any later amendment.
If your document is about to be presented and you want its recitals and signing arrangements checked beforehand, our legal consultation service can review them with you.
Section 58(1): what is endorsed
Section 58(1) applies "On every document admitted to registration, other than a copy of a decree or order, or a copy sent to a registering officer under section 89". Those two categories are carved out. A copy sent by a Court or officer under section 89 is dealt with in our article on copies of court sale certificates and loan orders. The endorsements are made "from time to time". Three kinds of particulars follow.
| Clause | What is endorsed |
|---|---|
| (a) | The signature and addition of every person admitting the execution of the document; and, if execution has been admitted by the representative, assign or agent of any person, the signature and addition of that representative, assign or agent |
| (b) | The signature and addition of every person examined in reference to the document under any provision of the Act |
| (c) | Any payment of money or delivery of goods made in the presence of the registering officer in reference to the execution of the document, and any admission of receipt of consideration, in whole or in part, made in his presence in reference to such execution |
Clause (a): who admits execution
"Addition" is a term defined in section 2 of the Act. Where an agent or representative admits execution for someone else, the agent's signature and addition is endorsed. Who may appear and present a document is a separate matter handled under sections 32 and 33.
Clause (b): persons examined
Where the officer examines a person during an enquiry (for example, on the admission or denial of execution, taken up in our article on admission and denial of execution), that person's signature and addition is also endorsed.
Clause (c): money and goods in the officer's presence
If any payment of money or any delivery of goods is made before the registering officer in reference to the execution, it is endorsed. An admission made before him that consideration has been received, whole or in part, is endorsed too. The section speaks of what happens "in his presence". The text is silent on payments made elsewhere and says nothing about whether they must be recorded.
Section 58(2): refusal to endorse
"If any person admitting the execution of a document refuses to endorse the same, the registering officer shall nevertheless register it, but shall at the same time endorse a note of such refusal."
Three things stand out.
- A refusal by the person admitting execution to endorse does not stop registration.
- The officer must make a note of the refusal on the document.
- The sub-section applies to a person who has admitted execution; a denial of execution is dealt with separately, and refusal to register is dealt with in the Part on refusal (see our article on refusal to register and recorded reasons).
Section 59: dated and signed by the officer
Section 59 says the registering officer "shall affix the date and his signature to all endorsements made under sections 52 and 58, relating to the same document and made in his presence on the same day."
Read closely, the section covers endorsements:
- made under section 52 or section 58;
- relating to the same document;
- made in his presence;
- on the same day.
So a bundle of endorsements made on one day in the officer's presence can carry one date and one signature, as the section is worded. Endorsements made on different days carry their own dates, as the section speaks of "the same day".
An example
Ritu and Sandeep execute a sale deed in favour of Neha and appear before the Sub-Registrar. Sandeep's mother signs as a witness examined by the officer, and Neha hands over a payment of part of the price in the officer's presence.
Under section 58(1), the officer endorses the signatures and additions of Ritu and Sandeep (clause (a)), the signature and addition of the witness examined (clause (b)), and the payment made in his presence, with any admission of receipt of consideration (clause (c)). Under section 59 he dates and signs these endorsements for that day.
Had Sandeep declined to endorse the deed after admitting execution, section 58(2) would still have required registration, with a note of the refusal.
Need help with documents before they go to the registration office?
A document that is clear on who executes it, in what capacity and with what payment recitals is easier to register. If you want a second pair of eyes before presentation, our legal consultation team can take you through it.
Key takeaways
- Section 58(1) lists three endorsements: signatures and additions of those admitting execution, of those examined, and any payment, delivery or admission of consideration made in the officer's presence.
- Copies of decrees or orders, and copies sent under section 89, are outside section 58(1).
- A refusal by the person admitting execution to endorse does not stop registration; a note of refusal is endorsed (section 58(2)).
- Section 59: the officer affixes his date and signature to endorsements under sections 52 and 58 made in his presence on the same day.
- Check your State's amendments and rules and any later amendment.
Read next
- Certificate of registration: section 60
- Admission and denial of execution: section 35
- Inspection of books, search and certified copies: section 57
- Endorsement and copying of documents: sections 52 to 62
Disclaimer: Based on a print of the Registration Act, 1908 marked as last updated on 9 July 2020, as consulted on 2 October 2026. State amendments and rules, later amendments, registration fees and stamp duty are not covered and should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.