You Can Register Your Will at Any Sub-Registrar Office in Maharashtra for Rs 100

Maharashtra lets residents register a will at any of its 517 sub-registrar offices for Rs 100. Registration is optional, and it does not prove a will is valid. Why it still helps.

Many of the families we work with have one flat that matters more than anything else they own. Yet very few have a proper will for it. Maharashtra has made one step easier.

The change

As reported on 8 May 2026, residents can register a will at any of the state's 517 sub-registrar offices for a fee of Rs 100. Lawyers note this uses the existing Registration Act, 1908, rather than creating a new law.

Registering a will does not make it unchallengeable. It does make it much harder to lose or dispute.

Is registration compulsory?

No. Under section 18 of the Registration Act, registering a will is optional. An unregistered will can be perfectly valid.

What registration does and does not do

Does: creates an official record, makes the will harder to lose or replace, and helps when heirs approach a society or bank.
Does not: prove the will is genuine. A registered will can still be challenged for fraud or undue influence.
A will must be signed by you and attested by at least two witnesses.

Safe custody

You can also deposit a sealed will with the registrar for safe keeping under sections 42 to 45 of the Registration Act.

Why this matters more now

Probate is no longer mandatory for wills covering Mumbai property. A clear, registered will makes transmission of your flat smoother. See probate no longer mandatory in Mumbai and nominee vs legal heir.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a will in Maharashtra?

Rs 100, at any of the state's 517 sub-registrar offices, as reported in May 2026.

Is it compulsory to register a will in India?

No. Registration is optional under section 18 of the Registration Act, 1908.

Sources

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check your own case with a lawyer or CA.

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Yanik

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