The world is moving towards digital transformation, and most government services, such as business/company registration, have been moved online for the convenience of users to ensure speed and transparency. Indian government allows business persons, directors of the company, and business owners to check the status of the company online on the Ministry of Corporate Finance (hereinafter referred to as MCA) portal. Before engaging in any business activity with the company, it is crucial to understand the status of the company. Data from PwC reveals that financial fraud with respect to corporations in India rose to 59% in 2024. Not just individuals but enterprises are also becoming prey to financial fraud by fraudsters. Therefore, it is crucial to know and understand the company before establishing any relationship with it. In this blog, we will understand the importance of checking the status of a registered company, the steps involved, and detailed doubts covered in the form of the Frequently Answered Questions to ensure that the checking process is smooth and accurate.
Why Should You Check a Company’s Registration Status?
There are several reasons to check the registration status of the company, and some of them are mentioned below:
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Check the Legal Validity of the Company
A registered company is a legally recognized entity. In India, all companies must be registered under the Companies Act 2013 with the MCA. It is important to check whether a company is registered in India to prevent entering into agreements or contracts with fraudulent or unregistered businesses.
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Due Diligence for Investors
Investors should confirm that they are working with reputable, registered businesses before making any financial commitments.
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Verifying Tax Compliance
All registered companies in India are required to comply with taxation obligations as mandated by the Income Tax Act, 1961, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017. They need to register with GST if their annual turnover reaches a particular threshold. Checking a company’s registration status can provide insight into whether the company is tax-compliant or not.
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Check Directors and Shareholders
. A company’s registration status also provides information on its directors and shareholders, which can be helpful during due diligence. Users may readily determine whether any persons associated with the company are engaged in a specific form of unlawful activity. Furthermore, directors and shareholders help in building trust in the company.
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Avoid Scams and Fraudulent Activities
According to NCRB data 2024, the number of scams and cyber fraud incidents has increased from 75,800 (in 2023) to 2,92,800 in 2024. By identifying and verifying the status of the company, you can avoid being duped by unregistered or fictitious entities.
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Save Time
It is essential to check whether another company exists in the same name before you apply for registration with a new company. Checking the status of a company in advance can save you time and effort.
Process of Checking Company Registration Status Online
The MCA has an online portal free of cost to use where anyone can check the status of the registered company. The process is simple and quick and requires only a few steps:
Step 1: Visit the MCA Website
The first step to checking the company’s registration status is to visit the official website at https://www.mca.gov.in. The website is accessible on mobile phones as well as desktops.
Step 2: Go to the ‘MCA Services’ Tab
Once the MCA portal is opened, find the “MCA Services” tab on the homepage. The Service Tab contains a variety of company-related services, such as the ability to search for and view company details.
Step 3: Select ‘Check Company Name or LLP Name’
After selecting the “MCA Services” tab, you will be taken to a screen with various options for looking for company details. Select the “Check Company Name or LLP Name” to check the status and details of the company.
Step 4: Enter the name of the Company Name or its CIN
You can either search the company by its name or Corporate Identification Number (CIN). The CIN is a unique 21-character identification number allotted to every company at the time of its incorporation. If you know the CIN, you can directly enter it to get more precise results.
If you do not have the CIN of the company, then you can simply enter the company’s name and proceed to check the registration status of the company.
Step 5: Click on ‘Search’
Once you have entered the company’s name or CIN of the company, “Search” button. The website shall fetch the relevant details of the company from the MCA database.
Step 6: Review the Company Details
The search results will provide detailed information about the company. If the company is registered, you will be able to see the following details:
- Company Name: The official registered name of the company.
- CIN: The unique Corporate Identification Number assigned to the company.
- Registration Date: It is the date when the company was incorporated.
- Company Status: Whether the company is active or dormant.
- Company Type: Whether it’s a private limited company, public limited company, or other categories.
- Directors Information: The names and details of the company’s directors.
- Registered Address: The company’s official registered address.
- Paid-up Capital: The capital invested by the shareholders.
- Authorized Capital: The total capital the company is authorized to raise from its shareholders.
If the company is not registered, you will see a pop-up message saying that no records were found.
Step 7: Download the Company Master Data (Optional)
Suppose you need more detailed information, such as financial records, shareholder details, or director details. In that case, you can download the company’s master data by clicking on the “View Master Data” or “Download” option available in the search results.
What to Do if You Cannot Find a Company’s Registration?
If you search for a company’s registration status and cannot find any details, it could mean one of the following:
- The Company is Not Registered – If the company does not appear in the MCA search results, it may not be registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and if the company is not registered in India, the entity does not have legal recognition.
- Incorrect Name or CIN – Make sure that the name or CIN entered is correct. Mistyped names or CINs could result in showing no results. Cross-check every single detail before submitting again. If the same result is shown, try again.
- Inactive or Dormant Company – If the company is no longer in operation, the records could mark it as dormant or inactive. In this case, the company’s details might be accessible, but its registration status might show that it is no longer operational.
- Delisted or Deregistered – Sometimes, due to voluntary dissolution and non-compliance with the statutory provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and tax laws of India, the company may be registered or delisted from the MCA Portal, and the status of that company would be nil/non-existing.
If you still have concerns, you can directly contact the Ministry of Corporate Affairs or consult a professional, such as a company secretary, to verify the status of the company or get clarification.
Conclusion
Online company registration status checks are easy, quick, and cost-free, and they have many advantages. Verifying the legal status of the company is essential for preventing scams. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or someone else engaged in commercial transactions, you cannot make any investment in the company before verifying its details.
Using the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) user-friendly online company registration status check tool, you can access comprehensive and current information about any registered company in India. By following the procedures mentioned earlier, you can quickly confirm a company’s registration and make well-informed decisions regarding your commercial interactions.
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Frequently Answered Questions
1. How can I check the registration status of a company in India?
You can check the registration status of a company on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website by searching using the company’s name or Corporate Identification Number (CIN).
2. Is the process to check a company’s registration free of charge?
Yes, checking a company’s registration status on the MCA portal is completely free of charge.
3. What details can I obtain from the company registration status search?
The search results provide information like the company’s registration date, CIN, legal status, directors’ information, registered address, and financial details.
4. What should I do if I cannot find a company’s registration details?
If a company’s registration details are not found, it could mean the company is not registered, the information entered is incorrect, or the company is inactive or deregistered.
5. Can I download the company details from the MCA portal?
Yes, you can download the master data of the company that includes information about the financials, director(s)’ and shareholder(s) details.
6. Can a company’s registration status change after its registration?
Yes, a company’s registration status can be changed if it has been deregistered, dissolved, or converted into a different type. For example, the conversion of an LLP into a Private Limited Company can lead to a change in its status.
7. How do I know if the company is registered under the correct legal structure?
The registration status will indicate whether the company is registered as a private limited company, public limited company, or another form of legal entity.
8. Can I check the status of a company if I don’t have the CIN?
You can search the company even if you don’t have its CIN. You need to put the name of the company in the search box to get its details.
9. What if the company is not registered with the MCA?
Suppose the company is not registered with the MCA. In that case, it is likely to be an unregistered, dormant, or fake company created to deceive people. It is always advisable to verify the company’s credentials and details before making any deal.
