Property and other stamp paper fees raised – check new rates

The federal government has announced a big increase in stamp paper fees for legal, educational, utility, and property-related documents.

Stamp papers are used in many situations, such as filing legal cases like divorce or Khula, submitting affidavits for electricity or water connections, or applying for school or job documents like domicile certificates.

Under the new rules:

• The minimum e-stamp paper cost has increased from Rs100 to Rs300.

• Divorce stamp papers now cost Rs1,000 instead of Rs100.

• Domicile certificate stamp papers have risen from Rs100 to Rs500.

• Utility connection stamp papers (electricity, gas, water) now cost Rs1,000, up from Rs100.

• Property sale agreement stamp papers have jumped from Rs1,200 to Rs3,000.

• Stamp papers for other agreements are now Rs500, up from Rs100.

For contracts:

• Agreements up to Rs500,000: Rs3,000

• Agreements from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million: Rs6,000

• Agreements over Rs15 million: increase of Rs20,000

The Power of Attorney stamp paper fee has also risen slightly, from Rs1,500 to Rs1,800.

In addition, it is now mandatory to have a mobile SIM registered in your name to obtain any e-stamp paper.

These changes have raised concerns among citizens, as legal and property-related documents have become more expensive.