Check court cases on a property or seller before buying in Andhra Pradesh (Vizag, Vijayawada): eCourts party-name search
Short answer: before you pay an advance in Vizag, Vijayawada or anywhere in Andhra Pradesh, search the seller's name on eCourts case status by Party Name, choosing Andhra Pradesh and the property's district, with Both (pending and disposed) selected. Repeat for each owner and recent years, open any match's case history, and hand what you find to your lawyer. It's free and needs only a captcha.
Party-name search on eCourts, step by step
Open eCourts Services: Case Status and pick the Party Name (Petitioner/Respondent) tab. The form asks you to choose State, District, Court Complex (or Establishment). Choose Andhra Pradesh, then the district where the property is (for example Visakhapatnam, NTR or Krishna; district boundaries have changed in recent years, so check which district the court list shows for your area), and repeat for the district where the seller lives if it is different.
"Enter the Party Name, in part (minimum 3 characters) or full ... Party Name maybe the name of the Petitioner, Plaintiff, Complainant, Respondent, Defendant, Appellant, Accused or Extra Party."
- Type the seller's name. A part of the name (at least 3 letters) catches spelling variations.
- Enter a case registration year. The year box searches one year at a time, so repeat for recent years.
- Choose Both if you don't know whether a case is pending or disposed. The page says to "click on the Both option button" when unsure.
- Enter the 5-character captcha and press Go.
- For any likely match, press View "to see the Case History", then note the case number, court, parties and next date.
If you already have a case number, the eCourts home page also takes the 16-digit CNR number: "Enter the 16 digit alphanumeric CNR Number without any hyphen or space" (eCourts Services).
Search these names, not just one
A starting list, adapt it to your deal.
- Every seller named in the sale deed, and every co-owner.
- Earlier owners in the title chain, from the link documents you were given.
- For a flat: the builder company and its directors' names as they appear on the RERA page.
- For inherited property: each legal heir who signs.
- Different spellings and initials (for example the surname first, or only the given name).
Why an EC alone won't show a court case
An encumbrance certificate lists registered documents. A suit filed in a civil court isn't a registered document, so it may not appear on the EC at all. A CERSAI search shows registered loan security, not suits. That's why a court search is a separate step (how a particular case affects your deal is a question for a lawyer).
What a search can and can't tell you
- A name match is not proof the case is about this property. Open the case history and check the parties and, if shown, the property details.
- No result is not a clean chit: names may be spelt differently, the case may be in another district or a High Court, or the record may not be online yet.
- Write down what you searched (names, district, years, date) and keep a screenshot. Give it to your lawyer with the title documents.
High Court cases
Some disputes, such as writ petitions about land, are filed in the High Court, not a district court. The High Court of Andhra Pradesh website has its own case search. We haven't read its search steps on the live site yet, so check the menu there (to verify).
Related guides
- Encumbrance certificate (EC) online
- CERSAI search for a hidden mortgage
- Prohibited property check
- Check a project's RERA registration
- Buying inherited property: family member certificate
Buying in Hyderabad? See the Telangana guide.
This page explains a public search. It isn't a title search or a legal opinion and can't tell you whether a case affects your deal. Not legal advice.
A free sample from our Andhra Pradesh property do-it-yourself pack for NRIs: which portal to open, in what order, what to ask for, and what to keep on file.
Get it free (instant download)FAQ
How do I check court cases on a property in Vizag or Vijayawada?
Search the owners' names on the eCourts case status page by Party Name, choosing Andhra Pradesh and the property's district, with Both (pending and disposed) selected. Open any match's case history and show it to your lawyer.
Is the eCourts case search free?
Yes. The public case status search on services.ecourts.gov.in needs only a captcha; no login is asked for the party-name search.
Does an AP encumbrance certificate show court cases?
An EC lists registered documents. A suit filed in court isn't a registered document, so it may not appear. Do a court search as a separate step.
Which district should I pick for an AP property?
The district where the property is, and also the seller's home district if different. District boundaries have changed in recent years, so check the court list the portal shows.
If eCourts shows nothing, is the property clear?
No. Names may be spelt differently, the case may be in another district or the High Court, or not online yet. Get a lawyer's title opinion.
Official sources
Not legal advice. We don't check properties or certify ads. A lawyer must confirm title, and the Authority's own notices override anything on this page.