How to Check Registration of Company in India: A Complete Guide by Bright Advis

In today’s business landscape, trust is everything. Whether you’re planning to partner with a company, invest in one, or even launch your own startup, verifying a company’s legal status is the first smart step. That’s where the company registration number becomes important — it’s not just a formal ID but a gateway to transparency and compliance.

But here’s the thing — many people still don’t know how to check registration of company in India or where to even begin. That’s why we’ve created this simple yet in-depth guide to help you understand what this number means, how to find it, and what to do with it. Let’s get started.

What is a Company Registration Number?

The company registration number, officially known as the Corporate Identification Number (CIN), is a unique 21-character alphanumeric code assigned by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to every company registered in India. This code isn’t random—it carries specific information about the company’s legal identity, type, registration year, and state of incorporation.

For example, a CIN like “U72900MH2020PTC338765” indicates that the company is unlisted (‘U’), falls under computer services (‘72900’), was registered in Maharashtra (‘MH’) in the year 2020, is a Private Limited Company (‘PTC’), and holds a unique ROC registration number.

This code is found on all major documents including the Certificate of Incorporation, GST filings, official letters, and financial records. It is more than just a formality—it is the legal DNA of your company.

Why is a Company Registration Number So Important?

Understanding the significance of the company registration number helps you grasp why it’s indispensable in the Indian corporate ecosystem. Here are some detailed reasons:

• Legal Proof of Existence: The CIN confirms that a company is officially recognised under Indian law. Without it, a company cannot legally operate or participate in government-regulated activities.
• Transparency and Trust: With a CIN, stakeholders can verify key company details like director names, address, and registration status. It helps build confidence among customers, vendors, and investors.
• Mandatory in Documentation: Companies must mention their CIN on all formal documents—be it invoices, email signatures, letterheads, or websites. It’s a legal requirement under the Companies Act.
• Helps Avoid Frauds: Having access to CIN allows you to verify the legitimacy of a business before signing contracts or investing. It acts as a safeguard against shell companies and scams.
• Essential for Compliance Tracking: All ROC filings, annual returns, and company updates are tied to the CIN. It helps you monitor if a company is compliant with MCA regulations.

Where Can You Find the Company Registration Number?

If you are looking for the company registration number of a business, here are the most reliable places to find it:

• Certificate of Incorporation: This is the original document issued by the MCA during company registration. It includes the CIN prominently displayed.
• GST and PAN Documents: These tax-related documents often contain the CIN as part of their business identifiers. Many businesses include CIN on their GST registration certificates.
• Invoices and Official Letters: By law, companies must print their CIN on all invoices, receipts, and formal communication documents, making it easily accessible.
• Company Website and Email Footers: Professional and legally compliant companies mention their CIN in website footers or business email signatures.
• MCA Portal: Even if you can’t access any company documents, you can find the CIN by searching the company’s name on the official MCA website.

How to Check Registration of Company in India

Verifying a company’s registration is a simple process thanks to the digital infrastructure provided by the MCA. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the MCA Portal: Go to www.mca.gov.in, the official website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. This portal contains up-to-date and accurate records of all registered Indian companies.
2. Navigate to ‘MCA Services’: Hover over the ‘MCA Services’ tab in the navigation bar and select ‘View Company/LLP Master Data’ under the Master Data section.
3. Enter Details: You can search using either the company registration number (CIN) or the exact registered company name. Accuracy is important, especially in spelling.
4. Submit CAPTCHA and Proceed: After entering the required information, solve the CAPTCHA code to verify you’re a real user and click on ‘Submit’.
5. View Company Details: The system will display a detailed profile of the company. This includes legal name, CIN, company type, date of incorporation, company status (active/dormant), registered address, directors’ details, and filing dates.

This method is the most trusted and government-recognised way to check registration of company in India for both individuals and businesses.

What Details Are Available Through CIN Lookup?

When you look up a company using its company registration number, you get access to the following:

• Company Profile: Includes name, CIN, date of incorporation, company category (Private/Public/LLP), and type of business activity as per industry classification.
• Operational Status: Indicates whether the company is currently active, dormant, under liquidation, or has been struck off. This status can help avoid partnerships with non-operational firms.
• Registered Office Address: This shows the exact legal address of the company as recorded by the MCA, which is useful for sending legal notices or physical communication.
• Director Information: Lists all directors and their Director Identification Numbers (DINs), along with their date of appointment. This helps in assessing company leadership.
• Capital Details: Displays the authorised capital (maximum share capital the company is allowed to raise) and paid-up capital (amount invested by shareholders).
• Filing History: Shows the dates of the last Annual Return and Balance Sheet filing. If the filings are overdue, it could be a red flag about the company’s compliance status.

What If You Don’t Have the Company Registration Number?

You can still verify a company even if you don’t know its CIN. The MCA portal allows you to conduct a search using the full registered name of the company. However, you should keep these points in mind:

• Use the Exact Legal Name: Even a small spelling mistake can cause the search to return incorrect results or no data. Try to get the official name from an invoice or legal document.
• Avoid Short Forms or Abbreviations: Enter the complete name as it appears in ROC filings. Don’t use nicknames or shortened versions.
• Verify with Additional Info: If multiple companies with similar names appear, use details like state of registration, year of incorporation, or directors’ names to identify the correct one.

If you’re finding it difficult to locate the right company or feel unsure about interpreting the results, Bright Advis can help you complete the search efficiently and accurately.

When Should You Verify a Company’s Registration?

There are several practical scenarios where it becomes necessary to verify a company’s registration:

• Before Entering a Business Agreement: Whether it’s a supplier contract, service partnership, or dealership agreement, verify the CIN to ensure you’re working with a legitimate entity.
• Before Making an Investment: Use the CIN to examine the company’s incorporation date, compliance status, and leadership before committing funds.
• When Applying for a Job: Job seekers should always check the CIN of the hiring company to make sure it’s officially registered and active under MCA records.
• Before Extending Credit: Vendors and service providers must verify a company’s registration status to avoid default risks and delayed payments.
• Before Filing Complaints: If you’re planning to file a legal complaint or consumer case, verifying the CIN helps you address the right legal entity.

How Bright Advis Can Help You

Bright Advis offers expert assistance for individuals and companies looking to understand or manage their company registration details. Whether you need help verifying another business or managing your own CIN records, our experienced consultants are ready to help.

We offer:

• Company Verification Services: Quick CIN lookup and master data interpretation.
• ROC Compliance Support: Filing annual returns, correcting data, and staying up to date with MCA filings.
• New Company Registration: From choosing your entity type to getting your CIN, we manage the full process.
• Legal Advisory: Ongoing guidance for directors, startups, and enterprises on how to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.

Our aim is to make legal and compliance services simple, efficient, and accessible to all business owners across India.

Why Verifying Company Registration Matters

India’s startup and SME landscape is growing rapidly. With this growth comes the risk of fraudulent entities and inactive companies operating in the market. By verifying a business through its company registration number, you gain confidence that the entity is officially recognised and in good standing.

CIN checks help in avoiding legal conflicts, identifying shell companies, and ensuring you’re making well-informed decisions—whether you’re an investor, customer, or collaborator.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to check registration of company in India is essential for anyone doing business today. Whether you’re forming a partnership, seeking employment, or offering credit, verifying the CIN ensures you’re dealing with a legitimate company.

With digital access through the MCA portal and expert help from Bright Advis, this once-complicated task is now easy and reliable. Don’t leave your business decisions to chance—use the power of the company registration number to stay informed, safe, and compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is the company registration number the same as GSTIN or PAN?
No. The CIN is issued by MCA for legal registration, while GSTIN is for indirect taxation and PAN is issued by the Income Tax Department for direct taxation.

Q2. Can I check any company’s CIN online?
Yes. The MCA portal allows free access to CIN and company master data for any registered business in India.

Q3. What does ‘Strike Off’ mean in company status?
It means the company has been removed from the MCA register and is no longer legally active. Avoid doing business with such entities.

Q4. Do LLPs have CINs?
No. LLPs have an LLP Identification Number (LLPIN), which works similarly to a CIN but is specific to limited liability partnerships.

Q5. Can Bright Advis assist with CIN-related issues?
Yes, we help businesses retrieve CINs, resolve discrepancies, update ROC records, and file pending compliance documents.