Renewing our lease was on my ‘must do’ list before ‘rewarding’ myself with the trip to The Netherlands.

Lo and behold this remarkable feat was accomplished the day of my flight and I gotta admit, either I’ve become completely adapted to how things work here (probably) or this process might just be becoming less painful and complicated than it used to be.

In preparation, gathered all the usual things such as self-attested photocopies of passport, visa, PAN card (used for Indian tax filing) plus a couple of passport size photos.

The appointment at the registrar’s office booked and a mere half hour before the appointed time, I hoped in a rick mentally geared up for a 2 hour wait, standing time, more waiting time, etc.

However it took under an hour (including time in the ‘waiting’ room) and a comment (that was almost apologetic) from the officer that the server was running ‘slow’.  For each person party to the agreement, there is a ‘live’ photo (look deep into the web cam!) and electronic thumb impression taken.

Modern lease registration – webcam, electronic thumb scanner and naturally a printer as there still needs to be paper!

However let’s not get too excited here folks – there is still a print-out required with the requisite ‘wet’ signature. And naturally the process hasn’t completely done away with paperwork and stamps!

Must have paper and ink stamps!

However overall not such a difficult process and given that we only do it every three years, I have ZERO complaints!

I do find it amusing that the same complex for registering a lease is also where you get married.

I guess they figure less chance of folks just ‘shacking up’ without the benefit of a ‘shadi’ (marriage) if its in the same place?

I wonder if you can get a divorce decree here too?? 🙂

All I know is… sure seemed to be more ‘bureau-easy’ than the typical ‘bureau-crazy’ one tends to find!

Marriages, monthly agreements, oh my!

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• Tis the season to get “marry”-ed again!
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