Documents Required for Partnership Firm Registration in India

Establishing and forming a partnership is pretty simple. There aren’t any intricate commercial formalities. In India, partnership firms must register in accordance with the Partnership Act, 1932. To do so, the Registrar of Firms has provided a checklist of the documentation required for partnership firm registration.

Interestingly, it’s not mandatory to register a partnership firm. The decision of whether or not to register a partnership firm rests with the partners.

However, an unregistered partnership firm cannot avail legal benefits; therefore, authorities usually advise registering the firm. In this blog, we will discuss the vital documents required for different aspects of a partnership firm, like GST filing, partnership deed drafting, and compliance.

List of Documents Required for a Partnership Firm

To register a partnership firm in India, partners must submit documents related to the firm itself as well as individual partners. These documents help establish the firm’s identity, business address, ownership structure, and compliance under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932.

a. Documents for the Partnership Firm

The following documents are required to establish the legal identity and operational details of the partnership firm:

1. Partnership Deed: The partnership deed is drawn up on judicial stamp paper received from the relevant State Registrar’s Office and must be signed by all partners.

It should clearly mention the firm name, nature of business, capital contribution, profit-sharing ratio, rights and duties of partners, and duration.

2. PAN card of firm: A PAN application must be submitted using Form 49A. You should fill it out online by heading to the NSDL website. Mandatory for income tax filings, opening a current bank account, and conducting financial transactions.

If the authorized partner signs the application using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), they can submit it online. Otherwise, they must send the application and required documents to the nearest PAN processing center located across the country.

3. Address Proof of Firm: If the registered office is rented, the firm must submit a rent agreement along with one utility bill (such as an electricity bill, water bill, property tax bill, or gas receipt). The firm must also submit a letter of authorization from the landlord.

4. NOC from the Property Owner: The firm must obtain a NOC from the property owner if the business premises are rented or not owned by the partners.

5. GST Registration Certificate (if applicable): The firm must submit a GST registration certificate if it registers under GST due to turnover limits, interstate supply, or mandatory GST provisions.

6. Bank Account Details (if available): The firm may submit a cancelled cheque or a bank statement of its current account at a later stage of the registration process.

b. Documents of Partners

Each partner must submit the following documents to verify identity and address:

1. PAN Card of All Partners: Mandatory for partnership registration and income tax compliance.

2. Aadhaar Card of All Partners: Used for identity verification and e-KYC purposes.

3. Address Proof of Partners: Any one of the following:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Utility bill or bank statement (not older than 2 months)

4. Passport-Size Photographs: Recent photographs of all partners for registration records.

5. Mobile Number & Email ID: Required for OTP-based verification and official communication.

Important Notes:

• All documents must be self-attested by the respective partners.
• Details across documents should be consistent to avoid rejection.
• Additional documents may be required depending on the state-specific rules and registrar’s requirements.

Additional Documents Required for Partnership Registration

The partners must submit to the Registrar of Firms the partnership deed, as well as ID and address credentials for the firm and the partners. It is also necessary to submit an affidavit stating that all of the details specified in the deed and documents are correct.

a. Documents Required for GST Registration for a Partnership Firm

A firm must submit a PAN number, address proof, and identification and address evidence of the partners to receive a GST registration. The authorized signatory signs the application using either a digital signature certificate or e-Aadhaar verification. These include:

• PAN card of the partnership firm
• PAN and Aadhaar of all partners
• Valid partnership deed

Additionally, you must submit proof of the principal place of business, such as a rent agreement, electricity bill, or property tax receipt. If the premises are rented, you must also provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner. You must submit bank account proof in the firm’s name, such as a cancelled cheque or bank statement.

b. Current Bank Account

A company must provide the following documentation to open a current bank account:

• Partnership deed
• Partnership firm PAN card
• Partnership firm address proof
• Identity evidence for all partners
• Partnership registration certificate (if the partnership has been registered)
• Any registration document issued by the Central or State Governments (typically, the GST certificate)
• A copy of your most recent electricity, phone, or water bill (not older than three months).
• A letter on the firm’s letterhead naming a partner as an authorized signatory for the bank account.

c. Documents Needed for an Unregistered Partnership Firm

To operate an unregistered partnership firm in India, partners must prepare and maintain the following documents:

• Partnership Deed signed by all partners, outlining profit sharing, roles, and responsibilities
• PAN card of the firm or partners (if firm PAN is not available)
• Identity proof of partners, such as an Aadhaar card, a PAN card, or a passport
• Address proof of partners, including Aadhaar card, voter ID, or utility bills
• Proof of business address, such as a rent agreement, utility bill, or ownership documents
• Bank account documents, including the bank application form and KYC details

These documents help establish the firm’s identity, define partner relationships, and support basic business operations even without formal registration.

The partnership firm registration process takes approximately 10-15 days, subject to departmental approval and returns from the respective department.

Checklist of Documents for Partnership Firm Registration

• Drafting of Partnership Deed.
• Minimum two members as partners.
• Maximum of equal to or less than twenty partners.
• Selection of appropriate names.
• Principal Place of Business.
• Bank Account of the firm.
• PAN card.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Submitting Partnership Firm Documents

Many partnership firms face delays or rejections due to avoidable documentation errors. One common mistake is submitting an incomplete or improperly drafted partnership deed that lacks clear clauses on profit sharing, roles, and dispute resolution. Firms often forget to stamp and notarize the deed as per state-specific stamp laws, which leads to invalid registration.

Another frequent error involves providing inconsistent details across documents, such as mismatched partner names, addresses, or capital contributions. Applicants also miss mandatory attachments like PAN cards, address proofs, or identity proofs of partners. The delayed submission of changes in partnership details to the Registrar further creates compliance issues.

Firms should also avoid ignoring state-specific registration rules and using outdated forms or incorrect formats. Careful verification of documents before submission helps prevent legal complications and ensures a smooth registration process.

Ending Note

Registering your partnership in India not only provides legal recognition but also a variety of benefits, such as ease of conducting business, access to credit, and a transparent operational structure. To establish your partnership, you must acquire all of the necessary documents and carefully complete the registration process.

Consult a legal professional or a certified accountant to complete all processes correctly. Once you register your partnership, you can confidently focus on growing your business and managing daily operations.

---