Since the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, came into force, the LLP has become one of the most preferred business structures in India. It offers the flexibility of a traditional partnership while protecting partners with limited liability. However, the entire registration process rests on one crucial requirement: submitting the correct LLP registration documents to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (the MCA). A single outdated address proof or an illegible scan can push your approval back by weeks.
What Documents Are Required for LLP Registration?
If you are confused about the list of documents required for LLP registration in India, you should know that the documents can be grouped into three categories:
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- Partner documents, including partners as per the Indian laws of Partnerships
- Registered Office Address
- Statutory forms
Every file must be uploaded on the MCA portal in a clear, valid format, and there is another set of validity rules to which every document must conform under the LLP Act of India. The respective categories and their specific requirements are outlined below.
Partner Identity and Address Proof
The PAN card is compulsory for every Indian partner. For identity proof, partners may submit their Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or driving licence. Address proof, such as a bank statement, electricity bill, or telephone bill, must not be older than two months. Two recent passport-size photographs and a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for designated partners complete this set.
Registered Office Address Proof
When the registered office of the Limited Liability Partnership is owned, the most recent electricity/gas bill and a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the owner is sufficient. For rented premises, one must provide a valid rent agreement or lease deed alongside the landlord’s signed NOC. In all cases, every utility bill submitted must be dated within the last two months to avoid rejection by the MCA.
Digital Signature Certificate and DPIN
Online filing of incorporation forms will require a Class 3 DSC for designated partners. FiLLiP now serves as the means of application for the Designated Partner Identification Number (DPIN) as well, thereby removing the need for a separate application.
Getting the documents required for LLP registration right at this stage is critical, as the MCA rejects applications over something as simple as expired proofs or mismatched partner details. This could make a huge difference because any rejection by the MCA of your application will not only cause delay but will probably mean more expenses for you.
LLP Incorporation Checklist: Indian vs Foreign Nationals
The LLP incorporation checklist is largely uniform, with two notable differences:
- The type of identity proof accepted
- The notarisation requirement
A minimum of two designated partners is required, and at least one of them must be an Indian resident.
Documents Required for LLP Incorporation — Indian Partners
Indian partners will require a PAN card, Aadhaar or passport, driving license, or voter ID with a passport-size photo. For their address proof, either a recent bank statement/bank letter or a utility bill not more than two months old should suffice.
Documents Required for LLP Incorporation — Foreign Nationals and NRIs
Foreign nationals or NRIs have no need to provide any of the Indian documents mentioned above. Rather, they have to submit a copy of their notarized or apostilled passport from their country of residence. Other forms of address verification like a driving license, resident card, or bank statement etc. that are not older than a year need to be notarized in the same way.
The passport of a foreign national will be treated as the principal proof of identity since they do not possess an official Indian PAN.
LLP Registration Form: Filing Through the MCA Portal
The MCA website hosts the e-filing portal where the LLP registration form called FiLLiP (Form 2) is filed. This form covers the main registration steps like the name reservation, DPIN generation, and incorporation into a single submission.
As soon as the incorporation application is granted and the Certificate of Registration becomes a reality, the final step is the execution of Form 3 for the LLP Agreement. The average processing time for the entire registration process is approximately 10 to 15 business days assuming all documents are in order.
LLP Agreement: Drafting and the 30-Day Rule
The LLP Agreement defines the profit-sharing ratio, allocation of the role of each partner, and other arrangements for the internal governance of the partner business. It must be executed on a non-judicial stamp paper of the appropriate value, determined by the state where the registered office is located.
After its drafting, the form to submit the partnership deed is Form 3. In any case, filing is mandatory within 30 days of incorporation, else there will be a penalty charge of ₹100 per day.
Documents Required for GST Registration of an LLP
If an LLP company is GST taxable, then you will need to prepare your company registration documents separately for the GST registration application. Documents to be kept ready include:
- Certificate of Registration
- The LLP’s PAN
- Every partner’s PAN and Aadhaar cards
- Proof of the registered office address (like utility bill, bank letter etc.)
- A cancelled cheque with the bank details
- A signatory identity proof and photograph
Having accurate incorporation documents on hand makes the GST registration process considerably faster. Foxtax can assist you in getting both registrations done at once.
Quick Glance: The Final LLP Registration Document Checklist
- PAN cards and passport-size photographs of every partner
- Identity and address proofs with valid, recent dates
- Class 3 DSC for all designated partners
- Registered office proof with NOC and rent agreement, if applicable
- Drafted LLP Agreement on stamp paper for Form 3 filing
The registration documents of LLP are the foundation of a hassle-free incorporation procedure. Having every required document organized and verified in advance saves valuable time, often securing your Certificate of Incorporation within just a few business days without unnecessary delays.
Foxtax can help you make, review, and file any and every document on the MCA portal, so not only will you be able to obtain your incorporation document, but also get a smooth registration experience. You can focus on building your business while we take care of the compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does CA charge for LLP registration?
The cost for registering an LLP ranges from as low as ₹1,499 and varies based upon the extent of the professional services involved, e.g. drawing up of Partnership Agreement and GST registration assistance. The government fees charged by the MCA are entirely different and are calculated on the contribution to capital made by the LLP.
Can I register an LLP on my own?
Yes, you can register an LLP via MCA self-service portal directly without any assistance. To do that, obtain a Class 3 DSC, file FiLLiP form, and submit the LLP Agreement within 30 days. Although a CA is not legally required as it is not the case of a limited company, many people still opt for professional assistance to minimize the chances of rejection due to some minor mistakes in documents.
Do we need a CA for LLP registration?
No, a CA is not a legal necessity. However, because the MCA expects the documents to be in a very rigid format and the LLP Agreement needs to be very carefully drafted, hiring someone qualified is pretty common practice and would surely reduce the chances of having to re-submit the same documents once rejected.
How many days does it take for LLP registration?
The government usually clears the LLP registration in about 10-15 days after the approval of name, if the documents are correct. Also the 30 days statutory period for filing of the LLP Agreement shall start from the issue of Certificate of Incorporation itself, not earlier.
How many documents are required for LLP registration in India?
You will need to prepare and submit about 12-15 different types of documents when you have only two partners, including identity and address proofs for every partner, proof of address for business premises, passport-size photos of directors, DSC copies, and other statutory forms. Yet, the number is more or less determined by whether a partner has the rented office space at a registered address or not.
Where can I find an LLP registration documents PDF checklist?
While the MCA portal outlines form-specific requirements, the checklist in this guide gives you a quick, reliable reference. Companies providing tax compliance services like Foxtax also offer a downloadable list of documents so you can have the file ready before you begin with filing.