A rental agreement can be created, e-stamped, and signed entirely online using Aadhaar eSign. However, some institutions may still ask for a printed or notarized copy for verification, submission, or record-keeping purposes.

Is a Physical Copy Actually Required?

Sometimes, yes.

A rental agreement can now be created, e-stamped, and signed entirely online using Aadhaar eSign. In many cases, the digitally signed agreement is legally valid and can be stored and shared electronically.

The important thing to understand is that the signing process remains digital. What is often still physical is the act of presenting a printed copy at a counter, not signing the agreement again on paper.

A printed copy may be requested for:

• Passport or address verification
• Embassy or visa applications
• Police tenant verification
• Bank KYC or address updates
• Utility or other administrative address-proof submissions

For police verification, bank KYC, and utility or other administrative submissions, a plain printed copy of the Aadhaar eSigned agreement is usually sufficient.

Passport offices and embassies, however, are typically stricter about accepting a printed copy of a digitally signed agreement. We recommend notarising the document for passport office and embassy submissions, since these are the two categories where a plain printout is most likely to face additional scrutiny.

For further details and the latest list of acceptable documents, refer to the Official Passport Seva document list. This is usually an administrative requirement rather than a question about the validity of the Aadhaar eSigned agreement itself.

Is a Printed Copy Enough?

A printed copy of the Aadhaar eSigned rental agreement is often sufficient, especially when the document includes the e-stamp certificate and the Aadhaar eSign certificate or audit trail page.

In many cases, this simply means self-attesting the printed copy yourself. A notary is usually not required unless a specific institution asks for one.

However, some institutions (such as passport offices, embassies, etc) may prefer a notarized physical copy on stamp paper for their records or verification process.

At Realtimate, customers do not need to arrange printing or notarization separately. Once the rental agreement has been drafted, e-stamped, and digitally signed using Aadhaar eSign, we can prepare a physical notarized stamp-paper copy of the agreement and send it directly to the customer by post/courier.

This means the customer receives:

• the digitally signed e-stamped agreement for online use and record-keeping, and
• a physical notarized stamp-paper copy that can be submitted wherever a hard copy is requested.

This makes the process much easier for tenants who need a physical document for passport applications, embassy submissions, police verification, bank KYC, or other address-proof requirements, without having to visit our office or arrange printing and notarization themselves.

When Is a Notarized Copy Useful?

A notarized copy provides an additional level of verification because it has been attested by a Notary Public.

A notarized copy can be useful when:

• an officer specifically asks for it,
• the document is being submitted to a government office,
• the agreement is being used for address verification,
• or you want to avoid delays caused by additional document objections.

Some offices may prefer a notarized copy for address verification and record-keeping purposes, even when the rental agreement was digitally signed using Aadhaar eSign.

Bank KYC (When Requested)

If you are using a rental agreement as proof of address for opening a bank account or updating your address, the bank may ask for a printed copy of the agreement.

In many cases, a printout of the Aadhaar eSigned rental agreement is sufficient. Some banks or branches may request a notarized copy if they require additional verification or need to retain a physical document in their records.

Because document requirements can vary between banks and even between branches, it is a good idea to check with your bank in advance.

Get a Physical Copy Delivered to Your Doorstep

At Realtimate, we believe customers should not have to choose between paperless signing and having a physical document when an institution asks for one.

Once your rental agreement has been:

• drafted,
• e-stamped,
• and digitally signed using Aadhaar eSign,

we can print the complete signed agreement and send the physical copy directly to your address by post/courier.

If you specifically request a notarized physical copy on stamp paper, we can also arrange notarization through a Notary Public at our office and dispatch the notarized copy separately.

This means

• No office visit is required after digital signing
• No need to meet the landlord again for physical signatures
• The agreement is not re-signed on paper—the original digitally executed agreement remains the valid signed document
• You receive a professionally printed copy that is ready to be submitted wherever a physical document is required
• A notarized stamp-paper copy can also be arranged on request

The process is simple

• Create the agreement online
• Pay the applicable e-stamp duty
• Landlord and tenant sign digitally using Aadhaar eSign
• Download the signed agreement immediately
• Request a physical copy (optional)
• We print and send it by post/courier
• If requested, we also arrange a notarized stamp-paper copy before dispatch

This gives customers the flexibility to use the digital agreement for online purposes and request a physical or notarized copy only when it is actually needed, without having to visit our office or arrange printing and notarization themselves.

This service is especially useful for tenants who need a physical document for passport applications, embassy submissions, police verification, bank KYC, or other address-proof requirements.

Final Thoughts

Aadhaar eSigned rental agreements are legally recognized and can be created, e-stamped, and signed completely online. In many situations, a simple printed copy is all you need.

However, some institutions may still ask for a physical or notarized copy for their records or verification process.

With Realtimate, you can complete the entire agreement process online and still receive a notarized hard copy delivered to your doorstep whenever a physical document is needed.

That gives you the best of both worlds: paperless digital signing and hassle-free physical document delivery when required.