On 20-2-2026, Patna High Court notified the e-Certified Copy Rules of the High Court of Judicature at Patna, 2026, introducing a digital system for obtaining certified copies of court records.
Effective from 20-2-2026, these provisions ensure transparency, accessibility, and improved efficiency for litigants, advocates, and public officials.
Key Highlights:
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The Rules apply to Patna High Court and all District Courts under its supervisory jurisdiction.
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They supplement the existing certified copy procedures under the High Court Rules of 1916, the Civil Court Rules, and the Criminal Court Rules.
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The Rules govern electronic applications for certified copies of:
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Orders
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Judgments
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Petitions
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Documents
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Evidence
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Rule 2 clarifies that electronic applications apply to pending or disposed cases with digitised records, while documents restricted under existing Court Rules continue to remain unavailable through the e-Copy system.
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Rule 3 defines key roles and entities involved, such as:
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Applicant: A party, advocate, or public officer entitled to copies
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Authorised Officer: Senior registry officer responsible for administration
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Public Officer & Public Purpose: Officers seeking copies for governmental/official use
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Stranger: A non-party applying for copies, subject to stricter scrutiny
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Digitised Record: Court documents available electronically
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Electronic applications for e-Certified Copies will be submitted only through the official High Court or District Court portal/app, with applicants registering and providing required case details and document specifics.
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Only 1 electronic application can be filed at a time in a proceeding; if the digitised record exceeds 40 MB, applicants will provide or pay for a compatible storage device within three days to receive the copy.
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If digitised records are unavailable, the e-application is treated as a request for a physical certified copy.
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The applicant will deposit the required fee within three working days, failing which the application is disposed of.
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Under Rule 6, applicants will register on the official portal/mobile app by providing:
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Name
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Mobile number
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Email
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Address
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Valid ID proof
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AUIN/Bar Registration for advocates
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Rule 8 outlines scrutiny and processing timelines:
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Applications filed before 1:30 PM are processed the same working day if digitised records exist.
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Applications with non-digitised records are processed within 3 working days.
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Objections will be rectified within 3 days, or the application is rejected.
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Authorised Officers can reject applications containing incorrect details or filed by unauthorised persons.
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Rule 10 lists the mandatory details on every e-Certified Copy, including:
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Electronic Application Number
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Date of requisition
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Date of Preparation of e-Certified Copy
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Total Number of Pages
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Total Cost
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Name and digital signature of Authorised Officer
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A unique QR code for authenticity.
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Rule 12 prescribes the fee structure:
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₹5 per page for e-Copies
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₹50 per map or plan
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Double fees for strangers
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No fee for Public Officers seeking copies for public purposes or department heads in cases involving government servants.
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Rule 16 affirms that only the digitally authenticated e-Certified Copy is a valid certified record, while printed copies carry no legal effect.
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Rule 18 restricts the applicant from using the e-Certified Copy for any unauthorised purpose or sharing it with anyone who is not entitled to access or inspect it.
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These Rules operate in addition to existing laws, and in areas not specifically provided for, the applicable Court Rules will apply.