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Partnership firm registration: documents, fees and how to apply online and offline

An unregistered firm cannot sue third parties to enforce contracts (Section 69, Indian Partnership Act, 1932); DPIIT recognises only registered firms.

Issued byState Registrar of Firms
Government feeSet by the State (small)
Usual time1 to 3 weeks
ValidityPermanent; changes in partners must be reported.

How to apply online, step by step

  1. Draft the partnership deed and pay stamp duty (e-stamp in most States).
  2. Apply on the State's Registrar of Firms portal where available, uploading the deed, ID and address proofs.

How to apply offline (in person)

  1. Submit Form 1 (application for registration) with the notarised deed, proofs and the fee at the Registrar of Firms office.

Documents required for Partnership firm registration, and how to get each

PAN card of each founder / director / partner

Get it online

  1. Instant e-PAN: on the Income Tax e-filing portal choose 'Instant e-PAN', enter Aadhaar and the OTP; the e-PAN PDF arrives in minutes, free.
  2. Or apply on Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL with Form 49A for a printed card.

Get it in person

  1. Fill Form 49A at a PAN centre (Protean / UTIITSL facilitation centre), attach ID, address and date of birth proof and a photo, pay the fee; the card is posted to you.

Fee: Instant e-PAN free; printed card about Rs 107 (Indian address) · Time: Minutes (e-PAN); about 2 weeks (printed card) · Official site

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

Address proof of each founder (bank statement, utility bill, passport or voter ID)

Get it online

  1. Download the latest bank statement or electricity / phone bill (not older than 2 months) from the bank or utility portal.

Get it in person

  1. Ask the bank branch for a stamped statement, or use the printed utility bill.

Fee: Free · Time: Same day

Constitution documents: incorporation certificate, MoA and AoA (company), LLP agreement, or partnership deed

Get it online

  1. Company: the Certificate of Incorporation, e-MoA and e-AoA come with SPICe+ on the MCA portal.
  2. LLP: the LLP agreement is filed in Form 3 on the MCA portal within 30 days of incorporation.

Get it in person

  1. Partnership: print the deed on stamp paper of the value the State prescribes, sign before witnesses, notarise, and register it with the State Registrar of Firms.

Fee: Stamp duty as per the State · Time: With incorporation · Official site

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

Questions people ask

How much does Partnership firm registration cost?

Set by the State (small)

How long does Partnership firm registration take?

1 to 3 weeks

Who issues Partnership firm registration?

State Registrar of Firms

Can I apply for Partnership firm registration 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.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2390. Rules and fees change; the official page is the authority. Checked October 2026.

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