Guide

Documents required to register a company in India

Updated 8 August 2026 · 6 min read

You need three sets of documents: identity and address proof for every director and shareholder, proof of the registered office, and the company's constitutional documents (MOA and AOA). Most rejections are not caused by a missing document but by a mismatch — a name spelled differently across two proofs, or an address proof older than the accepted window.

For every director and shareholder

The same set applies whether the person is a director, a shareholder, or both.

PAN card — mandatory for Indian nationals
Identity proof — Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence
Address proof — bank statement, or electricity, mobile or telephone bill, usually not older than two months
Passport-size photograph
Email address and mobile number, which will be used for OTP verification

For foreign directors

Under the 2026 KYC rationalisation a valid passport is now sufficient, rather than a bundle of documents requiring apostille or consularisation. This removed what used to be the slowest step when a co-founder was overseas.

For the registered office

The registered office can be a residential address. What matters is that the proof is current and the names line up.

Recent utility bill for the premises — electricity, gas, or water
Rent agreement, if the premises are rented
No Objection Certificate from the owner

The company's own documents

The Memorandum of Association sets out what the company is permitted to do, and the Articles of Association set out how it governs itself. These are drafted as part of the incorporation filing, along with the subscriber declarations and consent to act as director.

Why applications actually get rejected

In our experience it is rarely a missing document. It is almost always one of these.

The director's name is spelled differently on PAN and Aadhaar — even a middle initial
The address proof is older than the accepted window
The utility bill is in a previous occupant's or a relative's name with no NOC
The proposed company name resembles an existing company or registered trademark
A scanned document is cropped, blurred, or missing a page

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FAQs

How recent does the address proof need to be?

Usually not older than two months. Bank statements and utility bills both work, but an older document is a common reason for a query or rejection.

Can I use my home address as the registered office?

Yes. You need a utility bill for the premises and, if you do not own it, a rent agreement plus a No Objection Certificate from the owner.

Do all directors need a PAN?

Indian nationals do. Foreign directors are covered by their passport under the rationalised 2026 KYC requirements.

What if my name is spelled differently on two documents?

Fix it before filing. A mismatch between PAN and Aadhaar is one of the most common causes of rejection, and correcting it mid-application costs more time than correcting it upfront.

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