LLP Registration in India
LLP Registration in India, explained in simple words: Partners and Designated Partners, documents, the FiLLiP incorporation process, the LLP Agreement, fees and the filings that continue every year.
Reviewed by CS. Bhavik Hariyani · Updated · 8 Min Read
What an LLP Is
A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a separate legal person registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the LLP Act, 2008. It combines the flexibility of a partnership with limited liability: each Partner's liability is limited to their agreed contribution. How it is run is set out in the LLP Agreement.
Every LLP needs at least two Designated Partners, one of them resident in India. They hold a DPIN and answer for the LLP's filings.
Is It Right for You?
An LLP suits professional firms, family businesses and partners funding the business themselves. It has no shares, so it cannot take equity investment or offer ESOPs the way a Company can. If you plan to raise funds from investors, a Private Limited Company usually fits better.
| PVT. LTD. | LLP | OPC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 2 to 200 | 2 or More | 1, Plus a Nominee |
| Equity Investment | Yes, Through Shares | No Shares | After Conversion |
| Statutory Audit | Every Year | Above Set Limits | Every Year |
| Registered Since FY 2016-17 | 15,37,763 | 5,27,936 | 97,624 |
Can an LLP Raise Investment? · LLP vs OPC · When an LLP Is the Wrong Choice
Registrations Over Ten Years
LLP registrations have more than tripled, from 29,407 in FY 2016-17 to a record 95,965 in FY 2025-26. Their share has risen from (16.0%) in FY 2018-19 to (30.9%) so far this year: nearly one in three new registrations is now an LLP.
What It Costs
An LLP is usually lighter to keep than a Company: a Statutory Audit is needed only above set limits. But it still files returns every year, even with no business.
Once, to Register
- Name Reservation (RUN-LLP)
- ₹200
- FiLLiP Filing Fee
- By Contribution
- Stamp Duty on LLP Agreement
- By State
- 2 DSCs
- Market Price
- Professional Work
- By Scope
Every Year, to Keep
- Accounting
- Form 11, Annual Return
- Form 8, Accounts and Solvency
- Income Tax Return
- Audit, Above Set Limits
₹999 or ₹9,999? An advertised price usually covers part of the first bill only, and none of the yearly filings. Read Why
Documents You Need
Each Designated Partner
- Passport-Size Colour Photo
- PAN, Self-Attested
- Aadhaar Card, Self-Attested
- Latest Bank Statement, Self-Attested
Registered Office
- Latest Electricity Bill
- NOC From the Owner
- Rent Agreement, if Rented
Names and addresses must match across every document. Each person signing the forms also needs a mobile number linked to Aadhaar and an email address for OTPs; NRIs and foreign nationals use a passport and attested overseas documents instead. LLP Documents and Filings
How to Register
An LLP is registered online on the MCA portal through RUN-LLP for the name and FiLLiP for incorporation. A complete LLP Registration gives you 8 items, ending with the LLP Agreement filed in Form 3.
- 1Decide Partners, contribution and office.
- 2Get DSCs for each Designated Partner.
- 3Reserve the Name through RUN-LLP.
- 4File FiLLiP for incorporation. RUN-LLP and FiLLiP
- 5Receive the Certificate of Incorporation with LLPIN, PAN and TAN.
- 6File the LLP Agreement in Form 3 within 30 days. LLP Agreement
After You Register
Registration is the start. No business does not mean no Compliance: these continue every year until the LLP is closed legally.
| When | What Must Happen |
|---|---|
| Within 30 Days | LLP Agreement Filed in Form 3 |
| By 30 May | Form 11, Annual Return |
| By 30 October | Form 8, Statement of Account and Solvency |
| Every Year | Income Tax Return; Audit Only Above Set Limits |
| Every 3 Years | Designated Partner KYC |
More on Limited Liability Partnership Registration
Designated partners, the LLP Agreement, FiLLiP filing, and when an LLP is the smarter choice. Open any topic below for the detail.
What Your Service Provider Should Give You
Registering an LLP? What to expect from your service provider
These nine checkpoints include incorporation documents and subsequent registrations. Some are conditional: GST Registration is separate and is required only when applicable.
Before incorporation
Digital signatures and name approval, so the forms can be filed.
- 12 Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)One for each of the two designated partners, used to sign MCA forms.
- 21 LLP Name Approval Letter from the MinistryThe name is approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs through RUN-LLP or FiLLiP.
At incorporation
Partner IDs, the LLP's certificate and tax numbers.
- 32 Designated Partner Identification Numbers (DPIN)Allotted to the two designated partners through the FiLLiP form.
- 4LLP Registration Certificate from the MinistryThe Certificate of Incorporation, with the LLP Identification Number (LLPIN).
- 5PAN of the LLPThe LLP's income tax number, issued with incorporation.
- 6TAN of the LLPNeeded to deduct tax at source (TDS), issued with incorporation.
After incorporation
The LLP Agreement and GST, which complete the set.
- 7Drafting of LLP AgreementCovers capital, profit sharing, duties and exit, executed on state stamp paper.
- 8Filing of Form LLP 3 (LLP Agreement) with the MCADue within 30 days of incorporation.
- 9GST Registration (if applicable)A separate registration only when legally required or chosen voluntarily; GST returns follow after obtaining a GSTIN.
Learn which of these nine checkpoints apply to your LLP: LLP Registration: the 9 documents and Registrations explained. For the full process and cost, read LLP Registration in India: Process, Documents and Cost, and for what comes every year, the LLP annual compliance checklist.
More Questions Before Registering an LLP
More questions before registering an LLP
Is LLP Registration the same as GST Registration?
No. LLP incorporation is handled through the MCA system. GST Registration is a separate tax registration, required when applicable. Do not assume that every LLP must obtain a GSTIN immediately. Read the related guide.
Can I use a residential or rented address as an LLP registered office?
An eligible physical address can be used with the relevant address proof and owner consent or other supporting evidence. Check the current MCA documentary requirements. Read the related guide.
Does an LLP have Directors and Shareholders?
No. An LLP has Partners and Designated Partners, rather than the Directors and Shareholders of a company. Their legal responsibilities differ. Read the related guide.
Are annual filings covered by an LLP Registration package?
Not automatically. Ask for a written list of included incorporation filings and separate recurring services such as LLP annual forms, tax and any GST compliance. Read the related guide.
Is an LLP a good structure for venture capital or employee stock options?
Usually not when conventional equity investment or company-style ESOPs are central to the plan. Read the funding and structure comparison before deciding. Read the related guide.
How do I check the LLP Registration trend in India?
Use the Registration Trend research to review MCA incorporation patterns across financial years and months rather than relying only on one recent month. Read the related guide.
What if I register an LLP but never begin business?
An inactive LLP may still have compliance obligations. Check pending filings and the applicable lawful closure procedure rather than abandoning it. Read the related guide.
Registrations by Business Activity and State
Which business activities use this structure?
Activity figures: 1 April 2016–30 September 2026, from the published MCA activity analysis. FY 2021–22 has three missing source months; missing records are not estimated. Headline totals above include October 2026 and therefore cover a different period.
| Business activity | Registrations |
|---|---|
| Professional, Business & Consultancy Services | 1,07,588 |
| Wholesale & Retail Trade | 82,942 |
| Manufacturing | 67,729 |
| Real Estate | 55,521 |
| IT, Software, Information & Communication | 51,300 |
Read the full activity ranking, definitions and entity split
Find the guide for your business activity
Where are businesses registering?
LLPINs do not contain a state code. Our Company state tables exclude LLPs; a verified LLP address or state field is needed before publishing LLP state totals.
Explore all states and union territories · How state figures are derived from CIN
Registration counts show formation choices. They do not measure survival, profitability or whether a structure suits your business.
At a Glance: Who It Suits, Documents, Process and After
Understand the decision before the application
- When to consider it
- Consider an LLP for a business owned and managed by partners. Review the ownership arrangements, decision-making rules, funding plans and exit provisions before comparing it with a Private Limited Company.
- What to prepare
- Prepare partner identity and address documents, registered office evidence, consent where relevant, proposed business activities and the information needed for the LLP Agreement.
- How the process works
- The process includes digital signatures, name reservation, incorporation through FiLLiP and the LLP Agreement filing. Incorporation and agreement obligations are separate stages to plan for.
- What follows Registration
- Maintain records, follow the LLP Agreement and understand annual MCA and tax filings. An LLP with no business activity can still have filing obligations.
LLP Registration in Mumbai and Pune
LLP Registration in Mumbai and Pune
Local guides for Maharashtra's two main business regions: the ROC, Maharashtra stamp duty and registered office checks for each area.
Mumbai Region (MMR)
Pune Region
Before You Decide: A Short Checklist
Before you decide
Use what you have read to write down your decision and the questions you still need answered.
- What will the business do, who will own it, and will it need outside investment?
- Which structure fits those plans, and what responsibilities will each owner accept?
- What are the full incorporation costs and recurring yearly costs, even with no business?
- Which documents, registrations and ongoing filings apply to your circumstances?
- If the business does not work, how will you close it legally?
Compare PVT. LTD., LLP and OPC · Understand initial and annual costs
Check the compliance calendar · Read about legal closure
The linked guides, tables and reference downloads can be read without an account or enquiry form. Sources, periods and known data gaps are stated alongside the research.
All 8 Lessons, With Summaries
- What Is an LLP?An LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) is a business registered under the LLP Act, 2008 that is a separate legal entity, with flexible profit sharing and lim...
- Partners and Designated Partners in an LLPAn LLP needs at least two partners and at least two designated partners who are individuals, one of them resident in India. Designated partners are responsib...
- LLP Agreement: Meaning, Partner Rights and Profit SharingAn LLP Agreement is the written contract between partners that sets contribution, profit share, rights, duties, entry and exit. It is filed in Form 3 within ...
- LLP Registration Forms: RUN-LLP and FiLLiP ExplainedLLP Registration is done online on the MCA portal: reserve the name through RUN-LLP, file Form FiLLiP for incorporation, receive the certificate with LLPIN, ...
- Capital Contribution in an LLPThere is no minimum capital contribution for an LLP. Partners can contribute money, property or services, and the amount matters because it links to liabilit...
- LLP Annual Compliance: Form 8, Form 11, Audit and Due DatesUnderstand LLP annual compliance, Form 8 and Form 11, audit tests, tax returns, late fees, event-based filings and obligations with no business.
- When an LLP Is the Wrong ChoiceAn LLP is the wrong choice if you plan to raise equity funding, offer ESOPs, list publicly or take foreign investment in restricted sectors. It can convert t...
- 9 Documents and Registrations an LLP Should ReceiveThe nine documents and Registrations that LLP Registration usually involves, from DSC and DPIN to the LLP Agreement in Form 3, the LLP's PAN and TAN, and GST...
Common Questions
What are the LLP Registration fees in India?
The MCA fees for an LLP depend on total contribution. At ₹1 lakh contribution they come to about ₹750: ₹200 for RUN-LLP name reservation, ₹500 for FiLLiP and ₹50 for filing the LLP Agreement in Form 3. FiLLiP rises to ₹2,000 up to ₹5 lakh, ₹4,000 up to ₹10 lakh, ₹5,000 up to ₹25 lakh, ₹10,000 up to ₹1 crore and ₹25,000 above. State stamp duty on the LLP Agreement and a DSC for each designated partner are extra.
Is LLP Registration at ₹999 the full cost?
Usually not. A ₹999-type price often leaves out government fees, stamp duty, DSCs, drafting and filing the LLP Agreement in Form 3 within 30 days, and yearly compliance. Every LLP files Form 11 by 30 May and Form 8 by 30 October each year, even with no business, and late fees rise with the delay. Ask for a written list of what is included.
What does LLP Registration include?
For an LLP with two Designated Partners, registration typically involves Digital Signature Certificates, required identification numbers, name approval or reservation as applicable, FiLLiP incorporation, the Certificate of Incorporation with LLPIN, PAN and TAN, and the LLP Agreement filed in Form 3. Existing valid identification numbers may be reused. GST Registration is a separate process and is required only when applicable or voluntarily chosen.
How many partners are needed to register an LLP in India?
An LLP needs at least two partners, and there is no maximum. At least two of the partners must be designated partners, who are responsible for the LLP's legal filings. Designated partners must be individuals, and at least one of them must be resident in India, meaning they stayed in India for at least 120 days during the financial year.
Is there a minimum capital required to start an LLP?
No. The LLP Act does not prescribe any minimum capital. Partners decide how much each will contribute, in money, property or services, and record it in the incorporation form and the LLP Agreement. The FiLLiP fee and the stamp duty on the LLP Agreement depend on the total contribution.
What is the time limit for filing the LLP Agreement?
The LLP Agreement must be filed with the Registrar in Form 3 within 30 days of incorporation. The agreement is executed on stamp paper, and stamp duty is set by each state. Since 1 April 2022, late filing attracts an additional fee that is a multiple of the normal fee and rises with the delay.
What does an LLP cost every year?
Every LLP files Form 11 by 30 May and Form 8 by 30 October each year, even with no business, along with its income tax return. An audit is needed when turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh or contribution exceeds ₹25 lakh, and GST returns follow once a GSTIN is held.
Can an NRI or foreign national be a partner in an Indian LLP?
Yes. NRIs and foreign nationals can be partners and designated partners in an Indian LLP, as long as at least one designated partner is resident in India. Money brought in by foreign partners counts as foreign investment, which is allowed in an LLP under the automatic route only in sectors that permit 100% foreign investment for companies with no FDI-linked performance conditions.
How long is an LLP name reserved after RUN-LLP approval?
A name approved through RUN-LLP stays reserved for 90 days. FiLLiP must be filed within that period, or the name lapses. The name must end with LLP or Limited Liability Partnership and must not be identical or too similar to an existing company, LLP or registered trademark.
LLP Registration: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Read the Complete Guide
An LLP combines a separate legal identity with an agreement-based relationship between partners. I find the agreement as important to explain as the incorporation form: the certificate creates the entity, while the agreement records how its partners intend to work together.
The following guide shares the questions and distinctions that matter when understanding Limited Liability Partnership registration. It covers the data, ownership arrangements, documents, costs and the obligations that continue afterwards.
What is an LLP, and how is it different from a company?
A Limited Liability Partnership is registered under the LLP Act, 2008. It is distinct from its partners. It requires at least two partners and two individual designated partners, with at least one designated partner meeting the Indian residency requirement.
Designated partners have specific compliance responsibilities. “Partner” and “designated partner” should therefore not be treated as interchangeable descriptions of the same role.
An LLP does not issue company shares. That distinction matters when comparing partnership-based ownership with a business planning outside equity investment. Limited liability also does not remove responsibility for a person’s own wrongful acts, fraud or separate guarantees.
Searches such as “LLP company registration” generally refer to LLP incorporation. Legally, the LLP follows its own Act and forms rather than the company incorporation framework.
Private Limited vs LLP vs OPC: ownership, funding and compliance
The LLP Agreement: contribution is only the beginning
Two people can contribute money and still have different expectations about management, profit sharing and decision-making. I prefer to explain those questions before discussing the agreement as paperwork.
| Subject | What needs to be understood |
|---|---|
| Contribution | What each partner brings in and when it is due. |
| Profits and remuneration | How profits are shared and how working partners are remunerated, subject to applicable law. |
| Management | Who can make decisions, sign contracts and operate bank accounts. |
| Entry, exit and disputes | How partners join or leave, and how disagreements are addressed. |
Information about the initial LLP Agreement is filed in Form 3 within 30 days of incorporation. Applicable stamp duty depends on the state and agreement. The agreement and its filing are separate from receiving the incorporation certificate.
Documents required for LLP registration
| Subject | Documents and information |
|---|---|
| Resident Indian individuals | PAN card and Aadhaar card; photograph; email ID and mobile number; separate recent residential proof such as the latest electricity bill, telephone bill or bank statement, generally not older than two months. |
| Registered office | Recent accepted utility bill, occupancy or ownership evidence, owner’s consent where required, and the rent agreement if applicable. |
| Partners and designated partners | Contribution, contact details, consents, existing DIN/DPIN where relevant and the proposed business activity. |
| Foreign or corporate partners | Relevant entity documents, authorisations and authenticated overseas documents where required. |
This practical preparation list names PAN and Aadhaar explicitly. The identity attachments accepted in the relevant form and DSC verification requirements must be checked separately; Aadhaar is not described here as a universal statutory incorporation attachment. Overseas authentication requirements depend on the circumstances.
LLP registration online: RUN-LLP, FiLLiP and Form 3
The incorporation application is handled through MCA. RUN-LLP concerns name reservation; FiLLiP is the incorporation form. These should not be confused with the subsequent agreement filing.
| Stage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Name and preparation | The proposed name, activity, office, partners and contribution are identified. Name reservation may be through RUN-LLP or the permitted incorporation route. |
| Digital signatures and filing | Applicable digital signatures, consents and documents support the FiLLiP application. |
| Examination and incorporation | The authority examines the application and may seek clarification. Approval produces the incorporation record and LLPIN. |
| Agreement and initial records | The agreement is executed with the appropriate stamp duty and information filed in Form 3 within 30 days. Bank and accounting records are then maintained. |
Processing time depends on preparation, name scrutiny, application completeness and queries. A fixed completion promise does not explain those stages.
Understanding ₹999 and ₹9,999 registration offers
An advertised amount and the full cost of setting up and maintaining an entity answer different questions. The amount alone does not establish what is included, whether an offer is suitable or whether it is misleading.
For an LLP, the equivalent exercise is to separate government charges, stamp duty, digital signatures, professional work and the tasks after incorporation. Recurring accounting and compliance are another cost category. A package that covers incorporation does not automatically cover future obligations.
₹999 and ₹9,999 registration offers explained · Registration costs and annual expenses · Annual maintenance and compliance costs
Annual LLP compliance does not end with registration
An LLP can have obligations even when it has not begun trading. Form 11, Form 8, accounts and the income-tax framework need attention. GST and other obligations depend on the circumstances.
I distinguish “lighter compliance than a company” from “no compliance”. They are different statements. LLP audit requirements depend on the applicable turnover and contribution rules; tax audit needs a separate assessment.
The agreement also matters after incorporation. Changes in partners, contribution or agreed terms may trigger documentation and filings. If the business is discontinued, legal closure needs its own review.
Annual LLP compliance checklist · Compliance calendar · Legal closure of a company or LLP
Common LLP questions
Can an LLP have only one partner?
An LLP needs at least two partners. This is a different ownership model from an OPC.
Does an LLP issue shares to investors?
No. Partners participate through the LLP framework and agreement rather than company shares. The funding method should be considered before choosing the structure.
Is GST automatically required because an LLP is incorporated?
No. GST eligibility is a separate assessment based on the applicable provisions and actual business circumstances.
Does no business mean no annual filings?
No. Inactivity does not by itself remove the LLP’s annual filing responsibilities. The detailed compliance lesson explains the framework.
Government fees and statutory cost references
These reference tables retain the existing guide’s statutory cost breakdown. Applicable charges depend on the entity, capital or contribution and state; confirm current charges before filing.
| Cost item | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RUN-LLP name reservation (optional) | MCA | ₹200 |
| FiLLiP incorporation fee | MCA | ₹500 (contribution up to ₹1 lakh), ₹2,000 (up to ₹5 lakh), ₹4,000 (up to ₹10 lakh), ₹5,000 (up to ₹25 lakh), ₹10,000 (up to about ₹1 crore), ₹25,000 (larger contributions) |
| Form 3 (filing the LLP Agreement) | MCA | ₹50 to ₹600, depending on contribution |
| Stamp duty on the LLP Agreement | State government | Varies by state, often linked to contribution |
| DSC for each designated partner | Licensed certifying authority | Market-priced |
| Professional fees | The professional you choose | Not regulated; compare written scope |
Reference documents
LLP Agreement
Download the sample draft for reading and discussion. Adapt it to the proposed business and the partners’ agreed terms.
Download Word reference draft (.doc)
Reference draft only. Sample names, dates, amounts and clauses are included. Review liability, tax provisions, execution and applicable stamp duty before signing; this is not a validated ready-to-sign agreement.
Further Reading
LLP Registration by city
Cost, fees and process
Topic reading list: LLP Registration
Explore the guides for this topic, including earlier articles.
- Can an LLP raise investment? What founders should know before choosing an LLP
- LLP vs OPC: the better choice for one or two founders
- Startup India (DPIIT) recognition for a PVT. LTD. or LLP: eligibility and benefits
- Converting a Partnership Firm or Proprietorship into a PVT. LTD. or LLP
- Company Registration services and packages: what consultants do, what is included and what to check
- Company Registration in India at ₹999 or ₹9,999? Why It’s a MYTH
- Udyam (MSME) Registration for a company or LLP: who should get it and how
- Before you register a company or LLP: how to choose who handles it, and what to check
LLP Registration topics: find the right guide
Searches for LLP Registration in India, online LLP Registration, LLP Registration documents or LLP Registration cost often represent different questions. Start with the topic below rather than reading an unrelated sales package.
LLP Registration: eligibility and benefits
Start with what an LLP is, when it makes sense, and its main limitations. Searches such as “LLP Registration”, “Limited Liability Partnership Registration”, “benefits of LLP”, and “LLP Registration eligibility” all lead back to the main LLP hub.
How to register an LLP online
For LLP Registration online in India, understand MCA filing, name approval, RUN-LLP and the FiLLiP incorporation form. Timelines depend on accurate documents and processing.
Documents required for LLP Registration
Prepare identity and address proofs, registered-office evidence, consent, Digital Signature Certificates and the documents needed for an LLP's incorporation and subsequent filings.
Partners, Designated Partners and DPIN
Find the minimum number of Partners, the role of Designated Partners, resident-partner requirements, DPIN/DIN and Digital Signature Certificates for LLP filing.
LLP Agreement, Form 3 and contributions
Learn how contribution, profit sharing, LLP Agreement drafting, stamp duty and Form 3 work. An LLP has Partner contributions rather than company share capital.
LLP Registration cost, fees and packages
Separate incorporation fees, name reservation, DSC costs, state-dependent stamp duty, professional work and recurring filings. A quoted package price does not automatically cover future compliance.
Annual LLP compliance and closure
Registration is not the final step. Check LLP Form 8, LLP Form 11, applicable tax filings, ongoing responsibilities, and lawful closure if the business is inactive.
LLP comparisons, funding and trends
Compare LLP with a Private Limited Company, OPC or Partnership Firm. Explore funding constraints and India-wide MCA incorporation research before choosing the structure.
For the complete process, documents and statutory context, see the main LLP Registration guide. LLP Registration and GST Registration are separate processes; GST is required only where applicable.
Related Guides
Sources
- Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008: Section 11 (incorporation)
- Limited Liability Partnership Rules, 2009: Rule 11 and Rule 18
- Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (India Code)
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs: LLP e-filing
- Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and the stamp law of each state
This page explains the law in simple words, for learning. It is not legal advice. Rules, fees and due dates change, so check the official source before you file.
