Shops and Establishments registration: documents, fees and how to apply online and offline
State law requires every shop, office or commercial establishment to register, usually within 30 days of opening, and sets working hours, holidays and leave.
Some States exempt small units or ask only for an intimation; check your State's portal.
How to apply online, step by step
- Apply on the State labour department portal (or the State single-window portal) with the business and employer details, number of employees and the premises proof.
- Download the registration certificate; display it at the premises.
How to apply offline (in person)
- Submit the prescribed form with proofs and the fee at the local Labour Inspector's or municipal office.
Documents required for Shops and Establishments registration, and how to get each
PAN card of each founder / director / partner
Get it online
- 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.
- Or apply on Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL with Form 49A for a printed card.
Get it in person
- 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
- Already enrolled: download e-Aadhaar from myAadhaar (uidai.gov.in) with the OTP; update the address online with a proof.
Get it in person
- 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
- Scan or photograph against a plain light background; keep a JPEG under 100 KB for portal uploads.
Get it in person
- 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
- 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.
- Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner allowing business use of the address.
- Download the latest electricity, water or gas bill of the premises (not older than 2 months).
Get it in person
- 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).
- 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 Shops and Establishments registration cost?
Set by the State, usually by number of employees
How long does Shops and Establishments registration take?
Same day to 2 weeks
Who issues Shops and Establishments registration?
State Labour Department (or the municipal body in some cities)
Can I apply for Shops and Establishments 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://labour.gov.in/. Rules and fees change; the official page is the authority. Checked October 2026.
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