Lost Document Public Notice Ad in Free Press Journal: 2025 Guide & Formats

The publication of a lost document public notice in Free Press Journal typically takes 1–2 working days and costs ₹400–₹1,500 as a classified text notice. On top of this, you must have a notarised affidavit, a police complaint acknowledgement (for most documents), and a typed notice in the specific format that the issuing authority — be it passport office, RTO, bank or housing society — accepts.

This manual provides ready-to-use templates for lost passport, RC book, housing society share certificate, educational certificates and other common documents — along with precise Free Press Journal booking procedures, charges, and format requirements.

Why You Must Publish a Newspaper Notice for a Lost Document

A newspaper public notice for a lost document serves three legal purposes:

• Establishes public record — that the document is lost and no longer in your possession, protecting you from liability if misused.
• Required by issuing authorities — passport offices, RTOs, banks, housing societies, and government departments demand proof of newspaper publication before reissuing a document.
• Supports your affidavit — the newspaper notice corroborates the sworn affidavit you submit to the authority, strengthening your reissuance application.

In Maharashtra, the standard rule for most documents is: police complaint + notarised affidavit + newspaper notice in one English daily (and usually one Marathi daily). Free Press Journal (English) and Navshakti (Marathi) — both from the same group — are a trusted combination.

Documents That Require a Public Notice in Free Press Journal

Free Press Journal — Lost Document Notice Rates (2025 Indicative)

What to Do Before Publishing — Step-by-Step

Ready-to-Use Notice Templates (Free Press Journal)

Template 1 — Lost Passport Notice

LOST NOTICE
I, [Full Name as on Passport], residing at [Complete Address], hereby declare that my Indian Passport bearing No. [Passport Number] issued by [RPO Mumbai / other] on [Date of Issue], valid till [Expiry Date], has been lost / misplaced. I have lodged a complaint with [Police Station Name] vide NCR No. [Number] dated [Date]. Finder is requested to return the same to the above address. I shall not be responsible for any misuse.
[Full Name] [Date]
    

Template 2 — Lost RC Book Notice

LOST NOTICE
I, [Full Name], residing at [Address], hereby declare that Registration Certificate (RC Book) of vehicle bearing Reg. No. [MH-XX-XX-XXXX], Engine No. [Engine Number], Chassis No. [Chassis Number] has been lost. FIR/NCR No. [Number] dated [Date] lodged at [Police Station]. Finder to return to above address or nearest RTO.
[Full Name] [Date]
    

Template 3 — Lost Housing Society Share Certificate Notice

 PUBLIC NOTICE —  LOST SHARE CERTIFICATE
I, [Full Name], member of [Society Name], Reg. No. [Society Reg No.], situated at [Address], declare that my Share Certificate No. [Certificate No.] consisting of [Number] shares of ₹[Face Value] each, distinctive Nos. [From] to [To], has been lost. NCR No. [Number] dated [Date] at [Police Station]. I request the Managing Committee to issue duplicate. Any claim/objection may contact Secretary within 15 days from publication.
[Full Name] [Address] [Contact] [Date]
    

Template 4 — Lost Educational Certificate (Board/University)

LOST NOTICE
I, [Full Name], son/daughter of [Father's Name], residing at [Address], declare that my [SSC Mark Sheet / Degree Certificate] bearing Roll No. [Number] issued by [Institution/University] in year [Year] has been lost. NCR No. [Number] dated [Date] at [Police Station]. Finder to return. Not responsible for misuse.
[Full Name] [Date]
    

Template 5 — Lost Bank Passbook / Cheque Book Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE
I, [Full Name], residing at [Address], give public notice that original [Sale Deed / Title Deed] dated [Date] in respect of property bearing [Flat No./CTS No., Building, Address], registered with Sub-Registrar [Office] vide Registration No. [Number] dated [Reg. Date] has been lost. FIR/NCR No. [Number] dated [Date] at [Police Station]. Any person having claim over document/property shall contact undersigned within 30 days.
[Full Name] [Address] [Contact] [Date]
    

Template 6 — Lost Property Document Notice (Title Deed / Sale Deed)

PUBLIC NOTICE
I, [Full Name], residing at [Complete Address], hereby give public notice that the original [Document Type, e.g., Sale Deed / Title Deed / Conveyance Deed] dated [Date of Document], executed between [Seller Name] and [Buyer Name / Self], in respect of the property bearing [Property Description — Flat No. / Survey No. / CTS No., Building Name, Society Name, Address], registered with the Sub-Registrar of [Sub-Registrar Office Name] vide Registration No. [Registration Number] dated [Date of Registration], has been lost / misplaced.
FIR / NCR No. [Number] dated [Date] has been lodged at [Police Station Name]. Any person having any claim over the above property or the above document is hereby called upon to contact the undersigned within 30 (thirty) days from the date of this notice. Failing to do so, the undersigned shall proceed with the matter as if no claim exists.
[Full Name] [Address] [Contact Number] [Date]