One of the most common reasons company registration applications get rejected or delayed on the MCA portal is incomplete documentation. You may have the perfect business idea, a committed team, and the capital to begin. But without the right paperwork in order, the Registrar of Companies won't process your application. Preparing the correct company registration documents before you start the incorporation process saves you time, avoids unnecessary rejections, and gets your business off the ground faster.
This guide provides the complete document checklist for incorporating a private limited company, one person company (OPC), LLP, and public company in India. Whether you are a first-time founder or a consultant preparing filings for clients, this article covers every document you will need, along with the format and attestation requirements.
Identity and Address Proof of Directors and Shareholders
Every proposed director and shareholder must submit identity and address proof as part of the incorporation application. The MCA accepts specific documents for each category, and these differ based on whether the individual is an Indian resident or a foreign national.
For Indian Residents
The identity proof can be a PAN card, which is mandatory for all Indian directors and shareholders. In addition, a valid passport, voter's identity card, or driving licence serves as acceptable identity documentation. For address proof, an Aadhaar card, bank statement (not older than two months), electricity or telephone bill (not older than two months), or a passport can be submitted. All documents must be self-attested in PDF format. PAN is non-negotiable here. Without a valid PAN, the SPICe+ application will not even allow you to proceed beyond the director details section.
For Foreign Nationals and NRIs
A valid passport is mandatory. It serves as both identity and nationality proof. For address proof, a bank statement, utility bill, or government-issued residence certificate from the applicant's country of residence is accepted. Every document must be notarised by a public notary in the respective country and then apostilled (for countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention) or attested by the Indian Embassy or Consulate. This process often takes 5 to 10 working days, so foreign directors should begin their documentation well ahead of the planned incorporation date.
Digital Signature Certificate: The First Prerequisite
Before you can file any form on the MCA portal, every proposed director needs a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). The DSC is the electronic equivalent of a physical signature and is required to authenticate all documents submitted through SPICe+, e-MOA, e-AOA, and AGILE-PRO-S. A Class 2 (Sign) DSC is sufficient for company registration purposes. Indian applicants can obtain it within a few hours through Aadhaar-based verification, while foreign applicants typically need 3 to 7 working days for document-based verification.
The DSC is not a one-time requirement. It continues to be necessary for all future MCA filings, including annual returns, director changes, and charge registrations. Getting it sorted early eliminates a common bottleneck in the incorporation timeline.
Registered Office Address Proof
Every company must have a registered office at the time of incorporation. The MCA requires documentary evidence to verify this address. The specific documents depend on whether the premises are owned or rented.
For Owned Property
Submit a copy of the sale deed or property deed along with a recent utility bill (electricity, water, or gas) in the name of the owner. The utility bill should not be older than two months. If the property is registered in the name of a director or subscriber, no additional consent is required. However, if the property belongs to a third party, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner is mandatory.
For Rented or Leased Property
You need a copy of the rent agreement or lease deed executed on proper stamp paper. Along with this, a No Objection Certificate from the landlord, explicitly authorising the use of the premises as the company's registered office, is required. A recent utility bill (not older than two months) in the name of the landlord must also accompany the application. The rent agreement and NOC should be clearly legible and uploaded in PDF format.
For startups operating from co-working spaces, the same rent agreement and NOC structure applies. Ensure the co-working provider issues the NOC on their letterhead with proper authorisation details. This is particularly relevant if you are combining your startup registration with company incorporation, as DPIIT recognition also requires a verifiable registered office.
Documents for Private Limited Company Registration
A private limited company is the most popular structure among startups and small businesses. The documents for private limited registration include everything mentioned above, plus several incorporation-specific filings. Here is the consolidated checklist.
| Document | Details and Format |
| PAN Card of all directors and subscribers | Self-attested PDF. Mandatory for Indian applicants. |
| Aadhaar Card of all directors | Self-attested PDF. Used for DIN verification via SPICe+. |
| Passport (if applicable) | Mandatory for foreign nationals. Notarised and apostilled. |
| Address proof of directors and subscribers | Bank statement, utility bill, or passport. Not older than 2 months. |
| Passport-size photograph of all directors | Recent photograph in JPEG format. |
| Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) | Class 2 (Sign) DSC for each proposed director. |
| Registered office proof | Sale deed or rent agreement, utility bill, and NOC from owner. |
| SPICe+ Part A (Name Reservation) | Two proposed names with significance and relevance explained. |
| SPICe+ Part B (Incorporation Form) | Director details, share capital, registered office, and objects. |
| e-MOA (Memorandum of Association) | INC-33. Defines company objects, subscriber details, and capital. |
| e-AOA (Articles of Association) | INC-34. Internal rules governing company management. |
| AGILE-PRO-S | Integrated form for PAN, TAN, GST, EPFO, ESIC, and bank account. |
| Declaration by first directors (INC-9) | Sworn affidavit by each director that they are not disqualified. |
| Consent of directors (DIR-2) | Written consent to act as director of the proposed company. |
If you are looking for end-to-end assistance with the entire incorporation process, our private limited company registration service covers document preparation, form filing, and follow-up with the ROC until you receive your Certificate of Incorporation.
Documents for LLP Registration
A Limited Liability Partnership follows a slightly different documentation path. The incorporation is filed through FiLLiP (Form for Incorporation of LLP) instead of SPICe+. The core identity and address documents for partners remain the same as those listed above for directors.
In addition to the personal documents of designated partners, you need to file a RUN-LLP form for name reservation, the FiLLiP form with partner details and registered office proof, and the LLP Agreement (Form 3) within 30 days of incorporation. The LLP Agreement is a critical document that outlines the rights, duties, profit-sharing ratio, and obligations of each partner. Unlike a company's MOA and AOA, the LLP Agreement is drafted independently and filed separately after the Certificate of Incorporation is issued. You can learn more about the structure and benefits through our LLP registration service page.
Documents for OPC and Public Company Registration
One Person Company (OPC)
An OPC requires the same set of personal documents as a private limited company, but with one important addition. The sole member must nominate a person who will take over the company in case of the member's death or incapacity. This nominee must provide their PAN, Aadhaar, address proof, and a signed consent in Form INC-3. The nominee's written consent is filed along with the SPICe+ application.
Public Limited Company
A public company registration requires a minimum of three directors and seven subscribers. The documentation per individual remains the same, but the volume increases proportionally. The MOA and AOA for a public company are more elaborate, as they must account for provisions related to share transferability, board composition, and statutory meeting requirements. Public companies also need to consider appointing a company secretary at the time of incorporation if the paid-up share capital exceeds Rs. 5 crore.
Common Mistakes That Delay the Registration Process
Even experienced consultants occasionally encounter rejections due to avoidable documentation errors. The most frequent issue is uploading blurry or illegible scans. The ROC examiner reviews every document manually, and a document that cannot be read clearly will trigger a resubmission request, delaying the process by 5 to 15 days.
Using expired address proofs is another common pitfall. Bank statements and utility bills older than two months are automatically rejected. Similarly, the rent agreement must be current and executed on appropriate stamp paper as per the state's stamp duty requirements. An unstamped or inadequately stamped rent agreement is not legally valid and the ROC will not accept it.
Mismatches between the director's name on PAN, Aadhaar, and passport create unnecessary complications. Before beginning the filing, verify that the name spelling is consistent across all documents. If there are variations (for instance, an initial expanded in one document but abbreviated in another), get the discrepancy resolved through the respective issuing authority before submitting your company registration documents.
Finally, not obtaining the landlord's NOC before filing leads to predictable delays. The NOC must clearly state the full address, the company's proposed name, and the landlord's explicit consent for using the premises as a registered office. A generic "no objection" letter without these specifics will not suffice.
Document Checklist at a Glance
Here is a quick-reference summary that maps each document to the entity type requiring it.
| Document | Pvt Ltd | OPC | LLP | Public Ltd |
| PAN Card | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aadhaar Card | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Passport (Foreign Nationals) | If applicable | If applicable | If applicable | If applicable |
| Address Proof (Directors/Partners) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Photograph | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DSC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Office Proof + NOC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MOA and AOA | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| LLP Agreement | No | No | Yes | No |
| Nominee Consent (INC-3) | No | Yes | No | No |
| Director Consent (DIR-2) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Declaration (INC-9) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Conclusion
Getting your company registration documents right the first time is the single most effective way to avoid delays in the incorporation process. From PAN and Aadhaar of every director to the registered office proof, DSC, and the incorporation forms filed through SPICe+ or FiLLiP, each document plays a specific role in establishing your company's legal identity.
Take the time to verify document validity, ensure name consistency across all proofs, and obtain the landlord's NOC well in advance. A methodical approach to documentation reflects professionalism and sets the tone for how your company handles compliance going forward. If you need expert assistance with document preparation and end-to-end filing, explore our business registration and accounting services to get started without the guesswork.
