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FSSAI registration or licence: documents, fees and how to apply online and offline

Anyone who makes, packs, stores, sells or serves food needs it. Basic registration up to Rs 12 lakh turnover; State licence up to Rs 20 crore; Central licence above that, and for importers and e-commerce food operators.

Issued byFood Safety and Standards Authority of India
Government feeRegistration Rs 100 a year; State licence Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 a year; Central licence Rs 7,500 a year
Usual timeRegistration about 7 days; licence up to 60 days
Validity1 to 5 years, as chosen
Apply on the official portalApplying is free of agents; pay only the government fee shown on the portal.
Open the portal

How to apply online, step by step

  1. Find the right type with FoSCoS's eligibility wizard (by activity and turnover).
  2. Apply on FoSCoS: Form A for registration, Form B for a licence, with the food categories and premises details.
  3. Upload the documents and pay; for a licence a food safety officer inspects the premises.
  4. Download the registration or licence and display the number on the premises and labels.

How to apply offline (in person)

  1. The application is online; Common Service Centres and FSSAI facilitation desks help file it.

Documents required for FSSAI registration or licence, and how to get each

Aadhaar of each founder (linked to a working mobile number)

Get it online

  1. Already enrolled: download e-Aadhaar from myAadhaar (uidai.gov.in) with the OTP; update the address online with a proof.

Get it in person

  1. Enrol, or update the mobile number or biometrics, at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or bank / post office enrolment centre.

Fee: Enrolment free; updates Rs 50 to Rs 100 · Time: Download instantly; updates up to about 30 days · Official site

Recent passport-size photographs (and a scanned copy)

Get it online

  1. Scan or photograph against a plain light background; keep a JPEG under 100 KB for portal uploads.

Get it in person

  1. Any photo studio; ask for both prints and a soft copy.

Fee: Nominal · Time: Same day

Proof of the business address: rent agreement or ownership papers, owner's NOC, and a recent utility bill

Get it online

  1. Rented premises: buy an e-stamp paper for the rent agreement online (SHCIL e-stamping in most States) and get it signed by both sides; some States register leave-and-licence agreements online.
  2. Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner allowing business use of the address.
  3. Download the latest electricity, water or gas bill of the premises (not older than 2 months).

Get it in person

  1. Buy stamp paper from a licensed vendor or the sub-registrar's office, draft the agreement, sign before witnesses and notarise it (register it at the sub-registrar's office if the State requires).
  2. Ask the owner for a signed NOC and a copy of the property tax receipt or utility bill.

Fee: Stamp duty as per the State; notary fee nominal · Time: 1 to 3 days · Official site

Building plan approval and occupancy / completion certificate of the premises

Get it online

  1. Ask the owner; many municipal bodies let you download sanctioned plans and the occupancy certificate from their portal.

Get it in person

  1. Obtain certified copies from the municipal corporation or development authority's building department.

Fee: Copying fee set by the local body · Time: A few days

Water test report from an NABL-accredited laboratory

Get it online

  1. Find an accredited lab on the NABL website and book a sample pickup.

Get it in person

  1. Take the sample to the lab in a sterile bottle it provides.

Fee: Set by the laboratory · Time: 3 to 7 days · Official site

Food safety management plan (FSMS) and medical fitness certificates of food handlers

Get it online

  1. Use FSSAI's sector-wise FSMS guidance documents as templates and fill in your process, suppliers and checks.

Get it in person

  1. A registered medical practitioner issues the yearly fitness certificate for each food handler.

Fee: Doctor's fee · Time: 1 to 3 days · Official site

Questions people ask

How much does FSSAI registration or licence cost?

Registration Rs 100 a year; State licence Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 a year; Central licence Rs 7,500 a year

How long does FSSAI registration or licence take?

Registration about 7 days; licence up to 60 days

Who issues FSSAI registration or licence?

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Can I apply for FSSAI registration or licence without an agent?

Yes. Every step above can be done by the founder on the official portal or at the office; agents and consultants are optional.

Official source: https://www.fssai.gov.in/. Rules and fees change; the official page is the authority. Checked October 2026.

Find out everything your startup needs

The Startup Evaluator lists the registrations and licences for your sector, State and team size, in the order to get them, with costs, schemes and a three-year cash plan. All licence guides.