• According to the Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan’s seal registration system has been used since the Japanese colonial period. It was originally created because education was not widely available, and many people had limited literacy and knowledge. To make it easier for the public to conduct major transactions, such as land sales, and other legal acts, the seal registration system came into existence.
• A seal registration certificate is an important document used for legal procedures. It is often regarded as the “ID card” of a registered seal and is widely used in real estate transactions, inheritance, gift transfers, and other matters. It is an important safeguard for confirming property rights and interests, but if it is not properly kept, it may lead to property loss or legal disputes. However, most people do not fully understand what a seal registration certificate is used for. This article explains its uses, importance, and how to apply for one.

• A seal registration certificate is an official legally effective document issued by the Household Registration Office. It is equivalent to the identity document of a registered seal. The certificate is valid for one year and is used to confirm that the registered seal is exclusively held by the applicant.
• In other words, the seal is linked to the applicant’s identity. Even if the applicant cannot appear in person to handle relevant legal matters, an agent may act on the applicant’s behalf by presenting the registered seal and the seal registration certificate.

“Seal Registration Certificate Agency Service by LY Land Administration Agent Office”


 

2. What Is a Seal Registration Certificate Used For?

When applying for a seal registration certificate, the applicant must state the purpose of use in the application field. Common uses of a seal registration certificate include the following seven categories:

1. Legal and Court Matters
   • Used for court notarization or deposit procedures.
   • Used to handle matters related to legal inheritance rights or waiver of inheritance.
2. Compensation and Transactions
   • Used for land readjustment or compensation for zone expropriation.
   • Used to register the creation of secured transactions over movable property.
3. Used by a natural person to apply for registration of the creation of a secured transaction over movable property.
4. Real Estate-Related Procedures
   • Used for registration matters involving houses and land, including sale, gift transfer, ownership transfer, inheritance, and changes to registration details.
   • Used for registration of the creation, cancellation, or amendment of real estate mortgages.
5. Financial and Asset Inheritance Matters
   • Used by heirs to handle deposit inheritance after an account holder of a financial institution passes away.
   • Used by heirs to handle related inheritance procedures after the lessee of a bank safe deposit box passes away.
6. Fishing Vessel and Vessel Matters
   • Used for the transfer of fishing vessel replacement eligibility.
   • Used for vessel registration, secured transactions, mortgage creation, and related matters.
7. 其他無限制用途
   • Where no specific restriction applies, it may be used as a legally effective identity verification document.

3. Important Notes When Applying for a Seal Registration Certificate

• When applying for a seal registration certificate, if you are unsure what purpose of use should be stated, you may explain the situation to the Household Registration Office staff, and they will help classify and record the proper purpose.
• The purpose of use must be clearly stated to reduce the risk of illegal misuse.
• In particular, the categories “unrestricted use” and “other” should be used with caution to avoid the risk of personal property or rights being fraudulently sold or misused by someone with improper intent.

 

5. What Is a Registered Seal?

• To apply for a seal registration certificate, the registered seal must first be registered. A registered seal functions similarly to your personal signature, so both the registered seal and the seal registration certificate must be kept carefully.
• Registration of a registered seal must be handled in person by the applicant and cannot be entrusted to another person.
• Requirements for a Registered Seal:
  • No other symbols or patterns may be added.
  • The length, width, or diameter of the seal must be at least 1 centimeter and less than 3 centimeters.
  • Stamps made of easily deformable materials, such as self-inking stamps or rubber stamps, may not be used.
  • Recommended typefaces include seal script styles, such as yinxiangti, zhuanshu, or small seal script.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About Seal Registration Certificates

Q1.　Can a seal registration certificate be applied for across districts or across cities and counties?

• A seal registration certificate may be applied for across districts, but not across cities or counties.

• At present, municipalities and cities or counties that have established a digital seal registration system, such as Taipei City, New Taipei City, Hsinchu City, Taichung City, and Pingtung County, allow applicants to apply for a seal registration certificate at any Household Registration Office within their jurisdiction. The application is not limited to the Household Registration Office of the applicant’s registered household address.
• For example, if your household registration is in West District, Taichung City, you may choose any Household Registration Office within Taichung City to handle the application.
• If the city or county where your household is registered has not yet established a digital system, you must still apply in person at the Household Registration Office of your registered household address.
• When applying for a seal registration certificate for the first time, the applicant must appear in person to ensure that the seal is correctly linked to the applicant’s identity.

Q2.  Can someone apply for a seal registration certificate on my behalf?

• If you have already completed seal registration, you may authorize another person to apply on your behalf.
• The agent must bring the registered seal that the principal originally registered, the principal’s original national ID card, and a power of attorney signed by the principal to the Household Registration Office.

Q3.  What Should I Do If My Registered Seal Is Lost?

• If your registered seal is lost, please go to the Household Registration Office as soon as possible to apply for registration of seal change or registration of seal cancellation.
• If you later find the original registered seal, you may go to the Household Registration Office again to apply for re-registration of that seal, or continue using the new registered seal.