Documents Required for Company Registration in India: Complete Checklist 2026

30 Apr 2026

Updated: May 2026

Documents Required for Company Registration in India: The Complete SPICe+ Checklist

Incorporating a private limited company in India has become significantly more streamlined since the Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched the MCA21 Version 3 portal and the SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) form. When documents are complete and accurate, a private limited company can be incorporated within 5 to 7 working days. Delays almost always trace back to document deficiencies or name-related rejections — both entirely avoidable.

This guide sets out the complete list of company registration documents required in India under the current MCA framework, along with the regulatory basis for each requirement.

Understanding SPICe+ and the MCA21 V3 Portal

SPICe+ is a single integrated form that covers the entire company incorporation process under the Companies Act 2013 and the Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014. It is filed exclusively on the MCA21 Version 3 portal. SPICe+ has two parts:

• Part A: Name reservation — replaces the standalone RUN (Reserve Unique Name) application for new incorporations.
• Part B: Incorporation details including registered office, directors, subscriber information, DIN application, and PAN/TAN application.

Linked to SPICe+ is AGILE-PRO-S, which enables simultaneous registration for GST (GSTIN), EPFO (PF registration), ESIC, opening of a bank account with select partner banks, and registration under the Shops and Establishments Act — all in a single integrated process.

Documents Required: Directors and Subscribers

Every proposed director and subscriber (shareholder) must provide:

1. PAN Card: Mandatory for all Indian nationals. Forms the basis for income tax compliance and DIN application.
2. Aadhaar Card: Required for identity verification and linked to DIN processing.
3. DIN (Director Identification Number): If a proposed director does not already hold a DIN, it is applied for within SPICe+ Part B (up to three directors can apply through SPICe+). Existing DIN holders must have completed DIR-3 KYC (due by 30 September each year); a deactivated DIN will block the incorporation.
4. Passport-size Photograph: Recent, clear, white-background photograph.
5. Address Proof (Residential): Utility bill (electricity, water, gas, telephone) or bank statement — not older than 2 months. The address must exactly match the address declared in SPICe+.
6. DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) — Class 3: All directors are required to hold a Class 3 DSC for signing MCA filings electronically. DSC must be obtained from a MCA-authorised Certifying Authority (eMudhra, Sify, NSDL) before filing SPICe+. SPICe+ cannot be submitted without valid DSCs of all directors.

For Foreign Nationals / NRIs: PAN (or application for PAN), passport (mandatory as identity proof), and address proof from the country of residence — all apostilled or notarized by the Indian Embassy / Consulate. Self-attested foreign documents are rejected; notarization by the Indian diplomatic mission is mandatory under MCA rules.

Documents Required: Registered Office

Under Section 12 of the Companies Act 2013, every company must have a registered office from the date of incorporation. The following documents establish the registered office address:

1. Proof of Registered Office Address: Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, or broadband) not older than 2 months, in the name of the owner of the premises.
2. NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Owner: If the premises is owned by a promoter or a third party, a NOC signed by the owner is required. This is the most frequently missed document.
3. Rent Agreement / Lease Deed: If the premises is rented, a registered rent agreement is required in addition to the NOC.

A residential address is permissible as the registered office under the Companies Act, provided the requisite owner's NOC and utility bill are furnished.

MOA and AOA: e-MOA (INC-33) and e-AOA (INC-34)

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) defines the company's objects and scope; the Articles of Association (AOA) govern internal management. Under the Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014, companies using SPICe+ can adopt e-MOA and e-AOA (Forms INC-33 and INC-34), which are standardised templates signed digitally by subscribers using DSC — no physical stamping required for e-MOA/AOA.

Companies with more than seven subscribers or those not adopting standard Table F articles must submit physically stamped MOA/AOA as linked attachments instead.

Name Reservation: Part A of SPICe+

The proposed company name must comply with the Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014 — not identical or undesirably similar to an existing company or registered trademark, and not offensive or misleading. Part A of SPICe+ allows reservation of one name. If rejected, one resubmission is permitted.

Best practice: conduct a trademark search on the IP India portal and a company name search on the MCA portal before filing, to reduce rejection risk.

AGILE-PRO-S: Simultaneous Registrations

AGILE-PRO-S, filed alongside SPICe+, enables:

• GST registration (GSTIN issued immediately if documents are in order)
• EPFO registration (mandatory for companies expecting 20 or more employees under the EPF Act 1952)
• ESIC registration (mandatory for establishments with 10 or more employees under the ESI Act 1948)
• Current bank account opening with partner banks
• Shops and Establishments Act registration (state-specific)

Common Reasons for Rejection and Delay

• Mismatch between name, address, or date of birth across documents (PAN versus Aadhaar)
• Address proof older than 2 months
• Deactivated DIN (DIR-3 KYC not filed)
• NOC from registered office owner missing or unsigned
• Foreign national documents not apostilled or notarized by Indian Embassy
• DSC not linked to Aadhaar / PAN at the time of filing

When all documents are complete and the name is approved, incorporation — including CIN, PAN, TAN, and GSTIN — is typically completed within 5 to 7 working days.

Regi Tom Antony And Associates is a Chartered Accountant firm based in Kakkanad, Kochi, providing end-to-end company registration, MCA compliance, and corporate secretarial services. For a structured incorporation checklist tailored to your business, visit www.smeadvisory.in or write to us at letstalk@rtaandassociates.com.