Validity of non judicial stamp paper

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Gourav Choudhary (Querist)
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18 September 2011 Respected experts,
I have a query in relation to the validity of non judicial stamp papers. How to identify whether stamp papers are duly registered or not? Are the unregistered stamp papers valid?
Further, i have came across a stamp paper on the back of which nothing is written. Just a stamp is affixed. Will it effect the validity of agreement?

Bhaskaran Chackrapani Warrier

Bhaskaran Chackrapani Warrier (Expert)
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18 September 2011 Stamp paper should bear the name, signature, regisration number of the vendor and its date of issue along with the date and stamp of the releasing treasurary. In the absence of any one of the above, genuineness can be seriously doubted.

Gourav Choudhary

Gourav Choudhary (Querist)
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20 September 2011 Thanks Mr. Warrier for your valuable reply. Is their any legal requirement in this respect? I mean to say any specific acts for reference purpose.

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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02 August 2025 Regarding **validity of non-judicial stamp paper** and how to identify if it is duly registered:

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### Key points:

1. **What makes a non-judicial stamp paper valid?**
A valid non-judicial stamp paper typically contains:

* Name of the vendor (the government-authorized stamp vendor)
* Signature or seal of the vendor
* Registration number or serial number
* Date of issue
* Date and stamp of the issuing treasury or authority
These details authenticate the stamp paper as genuine.

2. **Are unregistered stamp papers valid?**

* Stamp papers *not* issued or authorized by the designated state authority or without above details are **suspect** and may be considered invalid.
* Using such stamp papers could render the instrument/document executed on them **inadmissible or challenged in court** on grounds of improper stamping.

3. **Legal requirements / Reference Acts:**

* The **Indian Stamp Act, 1899** governs the issuance, use, and validation of stamp papers across states.
* Each state has its own **Stamp Rules** framed under this Act, specifying the form and authentication of stamp papers.
* Section 33 of the Indian Stamp Act mandates that instruments executed without proper stamping shall not be admitted as evidence in court.
* Vendors must be registered under relevant **state-specific stamp rules** and authorized to sell stamp papers.

4. **Effect of missing details on stamp paper:**

* If a stamp paper lacks proper vendor name, signature, serial number, or treasury stamp, its **validity is questionable**.
* A mere **stamp affixed on the back without any inscriptions** (like vendor details or date) may affect authenticity.
* Courts generally require the stamp paper to be properly issued and authenticated.

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### Summary:

* Always ensure stamp papers have **proper vendor details, serial numbers, and treasury marks** as per state stamp rules.
* Use of **unregistered or improperly issued stamp papers may make the agreement/document invalid or inadmissible as evidence.**
* Refer to the **Indian Stamp Act, 1899** and your **state-specific Stamp Rules** for detailed provisions.

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If you want, I can help you find the exact provisions from your state’s stamp act or sample images of valid stamp papers for comparison. Would that be useful?

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