Partnership Firm Registration Status in India: How to Check Online

When starting or partnering with a business, it’s essential to confirm that the firm is officially registered. Verifying the partnership firm registration status ensures the business complies with legal requirements and operates legitimately. This verification is critical forentering contracts, performing vendor checks, or conducting due diligence.

Many people mistakenly believe they can check the partnership registration status on the MCA portal. However, this is incorrect. The MCA portal handles registrations for companies and LLPs only. Partnership firms, on the other hand, are governed by state-specific Registrar of Firms (RoF). 

This confusion often arises because people mistake partnership firms for LLPs. The key distinction is that LLPs are registered with the MCA, while partnership firms are registered with the Registrar of Firms in their respective states. 

Read further to explore more related details, practical steps, and clarifications explained clearly in this blog.

What is a Registered Partnership Firm in India?

Under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, a Partnership firm is defined as a relationship between two or more partners who agree to share profits and losses of a business. A partnership firm can either be registered or unregistered, and the primary distinction lies in its legal standing.

• Registered Partnership Firm: A firm that has been registered with the Registrar of Firms (RoF). The Partnership Firm Registration gives the firm the legal standing to sue or be sued in court. It also allows the firm to obtain a Partnership Firm Registration Certificate as official proof of registration.
• Unregistered Partnership Firm: A firm that has not undergone formal registration with the RoF. It lacks the legal advantages of a registered firm, particularly in enforcing contracts.

The Registrar of Firms (RoF) in each state maintains the records of partnership firms. The RoF handles all administrative tasks related to registration, maintenance, and the legal standing of partnership firms. 

Note: Registration is not required by law, but it is recommended for legal protection and the ability to enforce contracts.

Why is it Important to Check Partnership Firm Registration Status?

There are several scenarios where it’s essential to check the partnership firm registration status. Here are a few of them:

• Opening bank accounts: Banks require proof of registration to open an official business account.
• GST, MSME, or licensing purposes: Registration is often necessary for tax or licensing applications.
• Filing lawsuits: A registered firm can sue or be sued in court. An unregistered firm can also be sued, but cannot initiate legal action. 
• Legal enforceability of contracts and due diligence: Ensure the firm is legally registered before entering into contracts or partnerships. Without registration, you cannot enforce contracts, and the firm may lack legal standing in business associations. 

How to Check Partnership Firm Registration Status in India?

Some states in India offer online access to check partnership firm registration status, including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. You can use various methods for verification, depending on whether the state offers online access. Below are the options for both online and offline verification: 

Method 1: Check via Online Platforms

Many states in India provide an online facility to check the status of partnership firm registration. Here’s how to check the registration status online:

1. Visit the respective State RoF portal, such as Delhi RoF Portal (firmsociety.delhi.gov.in)
2. Select “Firm Search” or “Registered Firms”.
3. Enter the firm name or registration number.
4. View the details like:
   • Firm name
   • Date of registration
   • Partner details
   • Status (Active/Inactive)

The availability and depth of information vary by state, with some portals displaying only basic firm details.

Method 2: Check via Offline Office

If the state does not have an online portal or you are dealing with older firms, you may need to check the status offline:

1. Visit the local Registrar of Firms’ office.
2. Provide the required documents for the partnership firm, such as:
   • Partner details: Information about the partners involved, such as their names and addresses.
   • Firm name: The exact name under which the firm is registered.
   • Partnership deed: If available, provide the partnership deed to help confirm the firm’s details. You can also draft a partnership deed if registration is in progress.

This method is useful in states without digitised records or for firms that were registered before digital records became common.

Method 3: Check Using PAN or GST (Indirect Verification)

While PAN and GST numbers can provide business information, they do not directly confirm a partnership firm registration status.

• PAN confirms that the business is operating, but it does not indicate whether the firm is registered with the Registrar of Firms. A firm can have a PAN without being legally registered as a partnership firm.
• GST registration shows that the business is involved in taxable activities. However, it doesn’t verify the firm’s partnership status. A firm with GST registration may not be registered with the Registrar of Firms.

Note: Don’t rely solely on PAN or GST for verifying partnership firm registration. These tools provide limited data and cannot replace a formal check through the Registrar of Firms. Always verify with the official state records for accurate results.

State-Wise Registrar of Firms in India

Different states in India provide access to their Registrar of Firms (RoF) portals, allowing you to verify the partnership firm registration status online. Here’s a list of some states/union territories that offer an online search facility, along with links to their portals:

State/UT	Online Search Available	RoF Portal Link
Delhi	Yes	firmsociety.delhi.gov.in
Maharashtra	Yes	rof.mahaonline.gov.in
Karnataka	Yes	igr.karnataka.gov.in
Tamil Nadu	Yes	tnreginet.gov.in
Uttar Pradesh	Yes	uprfsc.gov.in
Gujarat	Yes	ifp.gujarat.gov.in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Yes	edistrict.andamannicobar.gov.in

By using the respective state portals, you can easily check the partnership firm registration status online. Always ensure to verify using the correct Registrar of Firms portal for accurate information.

Information you can find from the Partnership Firm Registration Status

When you check the partnership firm registration status, you can access the following details:

• Registration number: Unique identifier for the firm.
• Date of registration: When the firm was officially registered.
• Nature of business: The type of business the firm is involved in.
• Partner names: The names of all registered partners.
• Address of firm: The official address registered with the RoF.

These details help verify the legitimacy and legal standing of the partnership firm in official records.

What if you cannot find the Firm Registration Status?

If you can’t find the partnership firm registration status, there are a few reasons why this might happen:

• The firm may be unregistered: Some firms operate without official registration, so they won’t appear in the records.
• Data may not be digitised: Online portals may not contain records of older partnership firms. In such cases, you may need to check offline.
• Incorrect firm name: You may have entered the wrong name. Ensure that you use the exact name registered with the Registrar of Firms.

If you still cannot find the status, you may need to verify offline. Consider seeking legal consultation for further assistance. In some situations, the firm may need to be re-registered.

Common Mistakes While Checking Partnership Firm Status

Many individuals make mistakes while trying to verify the partnership firm registration status. Common errors include:

• Searching on the MCA portal: The MCA Portal (mca.gov.in) is suitable only for companies and LLPs, not partnership firms. LLPs are registered with the MCA, while partnership firms are handled by RoF. Knowing the difference between LLP and a Partnership Firm prevents this confusion.
• Using the trade name: Always use the official registered name, as the trade name may not match the firm’s legal registration. The official registered name is the legal name recognized by authorities, while the trade name is the business’s branding or market name.
• Assuming GST means registration: GST registration does not confirm the firm is legally registered with the RoF.

To avoid mistakes, always verify the partnership firm registration status through the correct state-specific Registrar of Firms.

How RegisterKaro can Help you with Partnership Firm Registration?

Legal professionals at RegisterKaro offer expert assistance with all aspects of partnership firm registration, including:

• Status verification: We help you verify whether a partnership firm is registered or not.
• Registration certificate retrieval: If you have lost your registration certificate, we can help you obtain it.
• Conversion to LLP or Company: If needed, we can assist in converting your partnership firm into an LLP or company.

Get expert help in checking or registering your partnership firm. Contact RegisterKaro today!

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