How to Check CIN Number Online in India: 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways

• A Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is a 21-character code assigned to companies registered under the Companies Act.
• You can search for a company’s CIN and view its basic master data free of charge on the MCA portal.
• MCA master data can show details such as the company’s name, CIN, status, incorporation date, registered office, capital, and directors.
• The CIN structure indicates details such as the company’s listing status, industry, state, incorporation year, ownership type, and registration number.
• Checking MCA records helps confirm that you are dealing with the correct legal entity before signing contracts, making investments, or entering other business arrangements.

What You Need to Know Before Checking a CIN?

Keep these points in mind to find the correct company and interpret its MCA records accurately:

• Start with the right details: Use the company’s exact name to find its CIN, or enter the 21-character CIN to view its master data.
• CIN applies only to companies: Companies receive a CIN, while LLPs receive a separate LLPIN.
• Check it for free: The MCA portal lets you search a company and view its master data, like the CIN, status, registered office, capital, and directors, without payment. Only the actual filed documents, such as annual returns and financial statements, require signing in and a nominal per-document fee.
• Use MCA records for verification: The portal shows official company details such as its status, company incorporation date, registered office, capital, and directors. 
• Foreign companies use an FCRN: A foreign company that registers a place of business in India is assigned a Foreign Company Registration Number (FCRN) instead of a CIN, and can be searched the same way on the MCA portal.
• Read the CIN structure: The 21 characters indicate details such as listing status, industry, state, incorporation year, ownership type, and registration number. For example, in U72900KA2020PTC123456, “U” means unlisted, “72900” is the industry code, “KA” is Karnataka, “2020” is the year of incorporation, “PTC” means a Private Limited Company, and “123456” is the registration number.
• Enter the CIN correctly: Check every character before submitting, as an incorrect CIN may return no matching record.

How to Check a CIN Number Online?

Use the MCA portal to find a CIN by company name or verify a company using its existing Corporate Identification Number (CIN). Follow the relevant method below.

1. If You Don’t Know the CIN (Search by Company Name)

Use this method to find a company’s CIN when you only have its name.

1. Visit the MCA V3 portal.
2. Open MCA Services → Master Data → Master Data Services.
3. In the company/LLP name field, type the company’s name or CIN/LLPIN.
4. Enter the captcha and submit.
5. The portal lists the matching companies along with their CINs. Match the correct company using its registered address or incorporation details, since similar names can return several results.

2. If You Already Have the CIN (View Master Data)

Use this method to verify a company’s full details when you have its CIN.

1. Go to MCA Services → Master Data → Master Data Services.
2. Enter the 21-character CIN without spaces.
3. Enter the captcha and select Submit.
4. Review the company’s name, status, incorporation date, registered office, authorized and paid-up capital, and director details.

Note: The MCA provides this service free of charge without requiring registration or login (for some details). Enter the CIN carefully because an incorrect character can return no results.

Can You Find a CIN Offline?

You do not always need to use the MCA portal to find a company’s CIN. Under Section 12(3)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013, a company must mention its CIN, name, registered office address, phone number, email address, and website, where applicable, on its business letters, billheads, letterhead, notices, and other official publications. You can therefore often find the CIN on a company’s invoice, letterhead, or official notice.

When and Why You Need to Check a CIN Number?

Checking a CIN helps you verify a company’s identity, incorporation details, and current status before entering into a business or financial relationship. It is useful whenever you need to confirm that you are dealing with the correct legal entity. Common situations where you may need to check a CIN include:

• Vendor or supplier onboarding: Verify that a new supplier or business partner is a registered company before entering into a commercial relationship.
• Before signing contracts: Confirm the company’s legal name, CIN, registered office, incorporation date, and current status before executing an agreement.
• Due diligence and investments: Review a company’s basic MCA records and filing status before investing, acquiring shares, or entering into a strategic transaction.
• Loan and credit checks: Banks, lenders, and other financial institutions may use the CIN to identify the borrowing company and verify its corporate details.
• Government tenders and registrations: Confirm the legal identity and registration details of a company participating in tenders, government contracts, or regulatory registrations.
• Legal and compliance work: Use the CIN to identify the correct company in MCA filings, regulatory correspondence, notices, and legal proceedings.
• Banking and payment verification: Cross-check the legal entity’s details when setting up corporate banking, processing large payments, or verifying an unfamiliar business account.

The CIN is a useful starting point because it links the company to its official MCA record. However, checking the CIN alone does not establish that a company is financially sound or fully compliant. For proper due diligence, also review its MCA filing history, directors, charges, financial statements, and other available statutory records.

How to Check an LLPIN Online?

Instead of a CIN, an LLP is assigned a Limited Liability Partnership Identification Number (LLPIN), typically a seven-character alphanumeric code such as AAB-1234. You can search for an LLPIN or view an LLP’s master data through the same MCA service used for company records.

If you don’t know the LLPIN (search by LLP name)

1. Visit the MCA V3 portal and open MCA Services → View Company or LLP Master Data.
2. In the company/LLP name field, type the LLP’s name (or the part you know).
3. Enter the captcha and submit.
4. The results list matching LLPs along with their LLPINs. Use the registered office or incorporation details to identify the correct one.

If you already have the LLPIN (view master data)

1. Go to MCA Services → View Company or LLP Master Data.
2. Enter the seven-character LLPIN.
3. Enter the captcha and submit.
4. Review the LLP’s name, status, date of incorporation, registered office, and partner details.

Like company master data, an LLP’s basic master data is free to view without logging in. However, the actual filed documents require signing in and a nominal per-document fee.

Common Issues While Searching for a CIN

A CIN search is usually straightforward, but incorrect search terms, similar company names, or MCA portal issues can make it harder to find the right company. The following are common problems and ways to resolve them:

Issue	Why it happens	How to fix it
Company name returns no results	The name may be incomplete, misspelled, or different from the company’s exact registered name.	Check the spelling and try searching with a shorter or distinctive part of the company name.
Too many matching results	Multiple companies may have similar or identical words in their names.	Compare the registered office address, incorporation date, and other company details to identify the correct entity.
Company name has changed	The company may have changed its registered name after incorporation.	Search using the current name and check the company’s MCA master data for previous names, where available.
CIN search does not work	The CIN may have been entered incorrectly, or the search field may require the complete 21-character CIN.	Recheck each character and enter the CIN exactly as shown on the company’s incorporation documents or MCA records.
MCA portal is not loading or times out	Temporary technical issues, maintenance, or heavy traffic can affect the portal.	Retry after some time and check whether the MCA portal has announced maintenance or service interruptions.
Company shows as “Struck Off”	The company has been removed from the register under the applicable legal process and cannot operate as an active company.	Do not rely on the company as an active entity. Review its MCA records and verify the status before entering into a transaction.
Company shows as “Dormant”	The company has been granted or classified as dormant under the Companies Act, subject to the compliance frameworks applicable to dormant companies.	Check the company’s current status and filings before assuming it is actively carrying on business.

Tip: If you already have the company’s CIN, search using the full CIN rather than the company name. This reduces the risk of selecting the wrong company when several businesses have similar names.