All land records are going online: What should owners do?

With this digital initiative, land records can now be searched, verified, and obtained online in just a few clicks. Land lawyer Jahangir says this is great news for landowners, as anyone can now download their documents from anywhere in the world.
 

117 Years of Land Records on a Digital Platform

According to the government’s plan, all documents registered from 1908 to the present will be integrated into a centralized online system. Pilot projects have already started in several districts. However, many records from wartime periods, such as 1947 and 1971, were lost and cannot be digitized. Owners who still have copies of such documents must submit them to the registrar’s office within the specified period to apply for online registration.
 

Major Step to Prevent Corruption and Fraud

One of the main goals of this digital project is to prevent land-related fraud and corruption. The online system will help stop the illegal sale of land using fake documents in the absence of owners.
 

Lawyer Jahangir notes that previously, searching for a land document at the registrar’s office often required bribes of 1,000 to 5,000 BDT, whereas the official fee is now just 20 BDT. This harassment will no longer occur.
 

What Landowners Should Do

Once implemented, the government will launch a dedicated website where users can search, verify, and pay a nominal fee to download copies of land records. Even if the original document is lost, the online copy will be legally valid.
 

Landowners should keep in mind:

• Wait until the system is fully operational.

• Submit copies of records that cannot yet be digitized.

• Fake documents will not be accepted online.

• The government aims to protect citizens from losing property due to fraud or lost documents.
   

Long-Term Benefits

• Reduce longstanding land disputes.

• Eliminate fraud and harassment.

• Make document access easier for expatriates.

• Ensure faster and simpler service for citizens.