Sale Agreement Stamp Duty Charges in Karnataka (2026 Guide)
Learn how to get e-stamp paper in Karnataka for a sale agreement step-by-step guide covering the Kaveri portal process, Article 5(E), SHCIL centres, stamp duty calculation, verification, and key FAQs. Updated 2026.
Quick Summary: (TL; DR)
Karnataka replaced physical stamp papers with e-stamp papers in 2008. For a sale agreement on immovable property, stamp duty is 0.5% of the sale price under Article 5(E) of the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957. As of July 14, 2025, Karnataka's new Digital e-Stamp Rules have made the Kaveri Online Services portal the primary platform with Aadhaar-based eSign, template-driven deed drafting, and direct treasury payments. Each e-stamp carries a Unique Identification Number (UIN) verifiable at shcilestamp.com. E-stamp paper validity is 6 months from the date of issue.
What Is E-Stamp Paper in Karnataka?
An e-stamp paper is a computer-generated, tamper-proof certificate used to pay stamp duty electronically to the Karnataka state government. It replaced physical non-judicial stamp papers in 2008.
Law / Authority | Role |
Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957 | Sets stamp duty rates for each document type |
Stamp (Payment of Duty by Means of E-Stamping) Rules, 2009 | Legal framework for e-stamping in Karnataka |
Digital e-Stamp Rules, 2025 (effective July 14, 2025) | Fully paperless, Aadhaar-based system direct treasury integration |
SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd) | Central Record-Keeping Agency |
Kaveri Online Services portal | Official government platform primary channel from 2025 |
Every e-stamp certificate in Karnataka contains a Unique Identification Number (UIN) and is used to verify authenticity at shcilestamp.com or through QR code scan.
Also Read: What is a sale agreement, Meaning, types and Format in Karnataka.
Which Article to Select for a Sale Agreement in Karnataka?
This is the single most important decision, and the most common mistake.
Article | What It Covers | Stamp Duty |
Article 5(E) | Sale Agreement for Immovable Property land, flats, buildings | 0.5% of sale price |
Article 5(J) | Other Agreements like general contracts not involving immovable property | Fixed duty, DO NOT use for property sale agreements |
Why Article 5(J) is wrong: Stamp duty paid under Article 5(J) cannot be adjusted against the final sale deed registration charges. You lose the entire 0.5% paid. Article 5(E) stamp duty is fully creditable at the time of final registration, reducing your total outgo. So always select Article 5(E) for any property sale agreement in Karnataka.
How Much Stamp Duty on E-Stamp Paper for Sale Agreement?
Property Sale Price | Stamp Duty Under Article 5(E) | Creditable at Registration? |
₹30 lakh | ₹15,000 | Yes |
₹57 lakh | ₹28,500 | Yes |
₹1 crore | ₹50,000 | Yes |
Any value | 0.5% of the agreed sale price | Yes - fully adjusted |
The portal auto-calculates the stamp duty from the consideration amount you enter. No manual calculation needed.
Also Read: How to save ₹25,000 while registering a sale deed in Karnataka.
How to Get E-Stamp Paper Online through Kaveri Portal (2026)
The Kaveri Online Services portal now handles the full end-to-end process for drafting, stamping, e-signing, and downloading without visiting any office.
Step 1: Go to kaveri2.karnataka.gov.in
Step 2: Register using your name, mobile number, email ID, and Aadhaar
Step 3: Log in with your credentials
Step 4: From the dashboard, select "Start a New Application" and select "Digital E-Stamp"
Step 5: Select Article 5(E) for Sale Agreement for Immovable Property
Step 6: Enter party details like First Party (seller) and Second Party (buyer) full names and addresses
Step 7: Enter the total sale consideration amount, then stamp duty auto-calculates at 0.5%
Step 8: Review all details carefully before proceeding
Step 9: Click "Make Payment" and pay via UPI, net banking, debit card, or credit card
Step 10: Complete eSign using Aadhaar OTP, so that both parties can sign digitally
Step 11: Download the digitally signed e-stamp certificate with UIN immediately
Important: The Kaveri portal charges zero processing fee, you pay only the stamp duty amount. No additional service charge.
How to Get E-Stamp Paper Offline at SHCIL Authorised Centres
For those who prefer a physical centre:
Step 1: Locate the nearest authorised SHCIL Authorised Collection Centre (ACC)
Partner banks authorised to issue e-stamp papers in Karnataka:
Bank | Availability |
Axis Bank | At select branches |
Canara Bank | At select branches |
State Bank of India | At select branches |
Corporation Bank | At select branches |
Authorised stamp vendors | Near Sub-Registrar Offices and courts |
Step 2: Fill the e-stamp application form and enter both parties' names, Article number (5(E)), and property sale amount
Step 3: Pay the stamp duty in cash, cheque, demand draft, or card
Step 4: Collect the printed e-stamp certificate with UIN
Step 5: Verify the UIN at shcilestamp.com before signing any document on it
How to Verify an E-Stamp Certificate in Karnataka
Step 1: Go to shcilestamp.com
Step 2: Click "Verify e-Stamp Certificate"
Step 3: Select the State
Step 4: Enter the UIN printed on the certificate
Step 5: Click "Verify" the portal confirms whether the certificate is genuine, the stamp duty amount paid, and the issue date
Always verify before signing. Fraudulent e-stamps look identical to genuine ones the UIN check is the only reliable confirmation.
What are the Documents Required Before Applying Stamp Paper for Sale Agreement
Document | Details |
Aadhaar card | Both buyer and seller for eSign and identity verification |
PAN card | Mandatory for both parties for high-value transactions |
Property details | Survey number, total area, and complete address |
Agreed sale consideration | Total sale price in figures, stamp duty is auto-calculated |
Mobile number linked to Aadhaar | Required for OTP-based eSign |
Key Rules on E-Stamp Paper in Karnataka (2026)
Rule | Detail |
Validity | 6 months from date of issue |
One document per certificate | Each e-stamp is generated for one specific document and cannot be reused |
No duplicate copy | If misplaced, a duplicate cannot be issued, so safeguard the original |
Refund on cancellation | Available only at SHCIL offices,not at the ACC that issued it but within 6 months, with 10% deduction |
Handwritten content | Agreements handwritten on e-stamp paper are legally valid |
Cross-state use | E-stamps issued in Karnataka can technically be used in other states if the appropriate duty was paid, but verify locally before doing so |
2025 update | Digital e-Stamp Rules effective July 14, 2025. Kaveri portal is now the primary channel with direct treasury payment and no SHCIL intermediary charges |
Conclusion
Getting an e-stamp paper for a sale agreement in Karnataka is now faster than ever. The Kaveri portal handles the entire process from drafting to e-signing to downloading, without a single office visit. The critical points: always select Article 5(E), not 5(J), for property sale agreements, pay 0.5% of the actual sale consideration, verify the UIN at shcilestamp.com before signing, and complete the agreement within 6 months of the certificate's issue date. The 0.5% paid at the agreement stage is not an additional cost it is credited in full against your final registration charges when you register the sale deed.
