18 August 2023

How to register a company in India

If you are planning to incorporate an entity in India, then you will need to make sure you have the right documents and fit the requirements.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

India has one of the largest populations in the world and has a rapidly growing economy. This makes it an attractive location for companies to do business and make use of any large untapped markets there.

As a result, it is important to know what you need to do to be able to register a company in India. There are a range of requirements a business must meet. Then, they must also consider what documents they may need to have notarised before they can begin operations in India.

Read on to learn about the different types of companies that can be created in India, what documents you will need to register a company in India, the requirements you must meet, and the ways in which we can help you.

What documents need notarising to register a company in India?

There are many documents that you may need to get notarised. It is likely that the documents you need to get notarised depend on your company type and if it is new or not.

The types of documents that need notarisation includes:

Powers of Attorney
Articles of Association
Memorandum of Association
Memorandum of Understanding
Tax return documents
Credit reports
Bank statements
Bank loan applications
Letters of Sponsorship
Certificate of Good Standing
Affidavits
Passports
Driving Licences

Please note that Memorandums of Association and Articles of Association will always be a requirement to register a company in India. Passports and driving licences are important as well.

Other documents may also require notarisation. A full list of business documents that may require notarisation can be found on our website.

If you need any guidance, we recommend getting in touch with us. Our expert notary can help you with all of your notarisation needs.

What other requirements must I meet to register a company in India?

As well as getting your documents ready to be used in India, you must ensure that your company meets the requirements for registration.

There are a few minimum requirements for UK businesses that want to get register their company in India. These requirements are:

Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate for each individual director (this is the first step; you can find out how to get one on the Indian Government’s website.)
Director Identification Number for each individual director (this is also one of the earlier steps)
A registered office in India
Minimum two shareholders
Minimum two directors
One director must be an Indian resident
The directors and shareholders can be the same people

If you have met these requirements, your business is ready to operate in India.

Important things to know about registering a company in India

Types of businesses

There are several types of business structures available for organisations that wish do business and register a company in India. The options are:

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Private Limited Company (PLC)
Public Limited Company (Ltd.)
Partnership
Sole Proprietorship
Joint-Venture Company
Non-Government Organisation (NGO)

Timescale

The length of time it takes to register a company in India can vary, but it usually takes around 10 to 18 days.

Different factors such as your documents not being correct or your business name not being available can make it take longer. Plus, processing times can be longer due to high demand or other factors.

Taxes

Resident companies and non-resident companies have different tax rates. Domestic companies have a rate of 25%. Meanwhile, non-resident companies have a tax rate of 40%.

Financial statements are submitted annually, with the fiscal year ending on the 31 March.

Domestic companies, LLPs, and partnerships, are liable for tax on their global income. Non-resident organisations are liable for tax on income gained in India.

How we can help you

To be able to use your documents to register a company in India, they will first need to be notarised. Notary Public of England and Wales, Nathan Woodcock, can assist you with this.

You can meet Nathan at one of our offices in London, Manchester or Sheffield; however, you can also make use of our convenient mobile notary service to meet him at a time and place of your choosing.

Once your documents have been notarised, they will need to be given an apostille by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). We can manage the whole process of getting an apostille from the FCDO for you. You can choose from our standard apostille service, or our fast-track service which is quicker.

Get in touch with us using our form, through email at info@woodcocknotarypublic.com, or by phone at 0800 049 2471.