Answer By law4u team
Yes, registration of a gift deed is generally compulsory in India when the property being gifted is immovable—like land, house, or apartment. This requirement comes under the Registration Act, 1908 and state-specific stamp duty laws. The registration process ensures that the gift deed is legally valid and enforceable. Without registration, the transfer of ownership may not be recognized in the eyes of the law, and the donee may face difficulty claiming rights to the property later. For movable property like cash, jewellery, or vehicles, registration is usually not mandatory, though a notarized gift deed can be used to create proof of transfer. Some important points about gift deed registration: The gift deed must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper of value prescribed by the state. Both the donor and donee must be present at the Sub-Registrar office for signing. Two witnesses are generally required. Stamp duty as per the state law must be paid for registration. After registration, the gift deed becomes a public record, providing legal protection to the donee. In simple terms, for immovable property, registration is mandatory to legally transfer ownership, while notarization alone is not enough.
