Complete Guide & Document Checklist

How to Register an LLP in India

Step-by-step process, required documents checklist, costs, timeline, and frequently asked questions

An LLP gives you the flexibility of a partnership with the liability protection of a company. As a partner, you're not personally on the hook for the firm's debts beyond your agreed contribution - making it a popular choice for professionals, consultants, and small service businesses.

Registration happens online through the MCA portal using the FiLLiP form. Compared to a Pvt Ltd company, LLPs have fewer compliance requirements and no mandatory audit (unless your turnover exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs or contribution exceeds Rs. 25 lakhs). Expect 10-15 working days from submission to getting your LLP incorporation certificate.

Timeline

10-15

working days

Cost

Government fee: Rs. 500-5,000 (based on contribution)

Professional assistance: Rs. 3,999-7,999

01

Who needs this?

You're running a professional practice - CA firm, law firm, architect firm, consulting business

You're a small or medium service business with 2+ partners wanting liability protection

You want a partnership structure but without the unlimited personal liability risk

You're building a startup that won't raise equity funding (LLPs can't issue shares or ESOPs)

You're setting up a joint venture with Indian and foreign partners for a specific project

You want lower annual compliance costs compared to running a Pvt Ltd company

02

Documents required

Click on any document to see detailed requirements and how to obtain it

17

Total Documents

14

Required

4

Ollvy Handles

01

Identity Documents

Required for all designated partners

PAN Card

REQ

of all designated partners (minimum 2 required)

Aadhaar Card

REQ

of all partners - both sides

Passport-size Photographs

REQ

2 photos per partner - recent, professional

Specimen Signature

REQ

on plain white paper - matching bank/PAN signature

02

Partner Address Proof

Any one document per partner

Utility Bill

electricity, water, gas - within last 2 months

Bank Statement

latest month with full address visible

03

Registered Office Documents

Official address of your LLP

Office Address Proof

REQ

utility bill of LLP premises - recent

Rent Agreement

if rented premises - notarized or registered

NOC from Owner

REQOLLVY

owner consent letter - template provided by Ollvy

04

LLP Details

Information for LLP incorporation

Proposed LLP Names

REQ

3 unique names - ending with "LLP"

Business Activity

REQ

description of LLP's main business

Capital Contribution

REQ

each partner's contribution amount - no minimum required

Profit Sharing Ratio

REQ

how profits will be divided among partners

05

Digital & Legal

Handled by Ollvy

Digital Signature Certificate

REQOLLVY

for designated partners - Ollvy arranges

DPIN

REQOLLVY

Designated Partner Identification Number - Ollvy applies

LLP Agreement

REQOLLVY

drafted by Ollvy - defines partner rights and obligations

Email ID and Mobile Number

REQ

unique email and mobile for each designated partner

REQRequired document
OLLVYWe handle this

PAN Card

Identity Documents

REQUIRED

What is this?

Your PAN identifies you for tax purposes. In an LLP, every designated partner (the ones who manage the business) needs to provide their PAN. It's how MCA tracks who's running the LLP.

How to get it

Already have PAN? Take a clear photo. Don't have one? Apply at incometax.gov.in - takes about 2 weeks.

Common Issues

Name mismatch between PAN and Aadhaar causes 80% of rejections. If your PAN says "Amit Kumar" but Aadhaar says "Amit Kumar Sharma", fix it before starting.

Requirements

  • 01Clear scan of original PAN card
  • 02Name must match Aadhaar exactly
  • 03At least 2 designated partners mandatory
  • 04Body corporates can also be partners (provide CIN, MOA, Board Resolution)

Ready to register your LLP?

Get started with Ollvy. We handle DSC, DPIN, name approval, LLP Agreement drafting, and all MCA filings.

Start LLP Registration

Calculate MCA filing penalty

03

Step-by-step process

1

Get Digital Signature Certificates for designated partners

Each designated partner needs a Class 3 DSC. You need at least 2 designated partners, and at least one must be an Indian resident.

2

Apply for Designated Partner Identification Numbers (DPIN)

DPIN works like DIN for companies - it's a unique ID for each designated partner. You can apply for it directly within the FiLLiP form during incorporation.

3

Reserve your LLP name using RUN-LLP

Apply for name reservation on the MCA portal. Your name must end with "LLP" or "Limited Liability Partnership" and needs to be unique and not misleading.

4

File the FiLLiP form on MCA portal

Complete FiLLiP with partner details, designated partners, registered office address, business activities, and total capital contribution. Attach identity and address proofs for everyone.

5

Draft and file the LLP Agreement

This agreement defines partner rights, duties, profit-sharing ratios, and exit rules. File it with MCA in Form 3 within 30 days of incorporation. Stamp duty varies by state.

6

Receive your Certificate of Incorporation

MCA issues your LLP Incorporation Certificate with your LLPIN. Then apply for PAN and TAN separately from the Income Tax Department using this certificate.

7

Complete post-incorporation registrations

Open a business bank account, register for GST if needed, and register for Professional Tax if your state requires it. If you didn't file Form 3 at incorporation, do it now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an LLP and a regular partnership?

The big difference is liability. In a traditional partnership, you're personally liable for the firm's debts and your other partners' mistakes - creditors can go after your personal assets. In an LLP, your liability is limited to what you've contributed. LLPs are also separate legal entities that can own property and sue or be sued in their own name.

Can an LLP raise funding from investors?

LLPs can't issue equity shares or convertible instruments, so VC or angel funding isn't really an option. Partners can bring in capital as contributions, and you can take on debt. If you're planning to raise institutional equity funding, a Private Limited company is the better structure.

Do all LLPs need a statutory audit?

No. You only need an audit if your annual turnover exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs or your total capital contribution exceeds Rs. 25 lakhs. Below those thresholds, the designated partners just certify the accounts themselves.

What annual compliance does an LLP need to handle?

Every LLP must file an Annual Return (Form 11) by 30th May and a Statement of Accounts and Solvency (Form 8) by 30th October each year with MCA - even if you had zero business activity. Income tax returns are due by 31st July (non-audit) or 31st October (audit cases). GST returns apply if registered.

Can a company be a partner in an LLP?

Yes. A body corporate - including a company, another LLP, or a foreign entity - can be a partner in an LLP. But the designated partners responsible for statutory compliance must be individuals.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • 01Not filing Form 3 (LLP Agreement) within 30 days - attracts Rs. 100 per day penalty
  • 02Drafting a vague LLP Agreement without clear profit-sharing ratios, exit clauses, or dispute resolution
  • 03Choosing LLP when you're planning to raise equity funding - you need a Pvt Ltd for that
  • 04Selecting the wrong state for your registered office, causing address-related compliance issues
  • 05Missing annual Form 8 and Form 11 filings - heavy penalties apply even for dormant LLPs
  • 06Forgetting to update the LLP Agreement via Form 3 when partners change or profit-sharing ratios shift