DIN Number Registration and Search

DIN Number or Director Identification Number is a unique 8 digit number that is required for any existing or proposed Director of a Company. Director Identification Number (DIN) has been introduced in India by way of the Companies Amendment Act, 2006. In this article, we review the process for DIN Number Registration and DIN Number Search.

DIN Number Facts

DIN Number Registration

DIN number is mandatory for any person intending to register a Private Limited Company or Limited Company or One Person Company (OPC) in India and be a part of the Board of Directors. DIN number is not required for shareholders of a Company. Further, a DIN number can be used for registering a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or an existing DPIN (Designated Partner Identification Number) can be used for registering a Company.

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) in the name of the DIN applicant must be obtained prior to applying for DIN number. Digital Signature Certificate can be obtained through IndiaFilings. Digital Signature Certificates are issued in the form of a USB token with a validity of 1 or 2 years. To apply and obtain DSC, the applicant must submit the signed DSC application along with the identity and address proof of the applicant. Copy of the identity and address proof submitted must be self-attested. In case of foreign nationals or non-resident Indians (NRIs) - submitting identity or address proof with foreign origin, the self-attested copy must be notarized or verified by the Indian Embassy in the Country.

Identity Proof accepted for Digital Signature Certificate application

PAN Card - Mandatory for Indian Nationals
Passport - Acceptable for Foreign Nationals and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

Address Proof accepted for Digital Signature Certificate application

Passports
Driving License
Voters ID card
Student SSC / HSC / Graduation / Post-graduation Degrees Certificate
Birth certificate
School leaving certificate
Electricity bill
Mobile / Telephone bill
Water Bill
Gas Bill
Property Tax/ Corporation/ Municipal Corporation Receipt
Sales Tax registration certificate
Bank Statement attested by the banker
PF statement

DIN Number Registration

Once, DSC is obtained for the applicant, DIN Application can be filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The DIN application must be electronically signed with the Digital Signature Certificate; hence, the requirement for obtaining DSC prior to DIN. The DIN application must also include a photo of the applicant along with identity and address proof.

Once the DIN application is filed and approved, the DIN number will be provided instantaneously. In case any errors are noticed in the DIN application, further documents are requested by the DIN cell. On submission of the required documents, the DIN cell would then allot the DIN number in 2 - 3 working days.

DIN numbers do not have an expiry date and no further compliance formalities are required for maintaining the validity of a DIN number. DIN numbers are allotted by way of intimation through DIN allotment letter and no other documents are issued.

DIN Number Search

Information relating to allotted DIN numbers can be accessed through the MCA's Online DIN Search Facility:

To find allottee information from a DIN Number, visit the Verify DIN/DPIN search facility.
To find DIN number from allottee information, visit the DIN approval letter facility.

For more information about DIN Number, visit IndiaFilings.com or Talk to an IndiaFilings Business Advisor

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about DIN Number Registration & Search in India.

A DIN Number or Director Identification Number is a unique 8-digit number that is mandatory for any existing or proposed Director of a Company in India. It was introduced by the Companies Amendment Act, 2006.

Any person intending to register a Private Limited Company, Limited Company, or One Person Company (OPC) in India and be a part of the Board of Directors needs to obtain a DIN Number. It is not required for shareholders of a Company.

To apply for a DIN Number, you first need to obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) in your name. Once you have the DSC, you can file the DIN application electronically, which must be signed with your DSC. The application should also include your photo, identity proof, and address proof.

For obtaining a DSC, you need to submit a signed DSC application along with your identity proof (PAN Card for Indian Nationals, Passport for Foreign Nationals/NRIs) and address proof (Passport, Driving License, Voter's ID, etc.). The copies of these documents must be self-attested, or notarized/verified by the Indian Embassy for foreign nationals/NRIs.

No, DIN Numbers do not have an expiry date. Once allotted, no further compliance formalities are required to maintain the validity of a DIN Number.

You can access information related to allotted DIN Numbers through the MCA's Online DIN Search Facility. To find allottee information from a DIN Number, visit the "Verify DIN/DPIN" search facility. To find a DIN Number from allottee information, visit the "DIN approval letter" facility.

Yes, a DIN Number can be used for registering a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) in India. Alternatively, an existing Designated Partner Identification Number (DPIN) can also be used for registering a Company.

A DIN Number is crucial for any person intending to be a Director of a Company in India. It serves as a unique identification number for Directors and helps in maintaining a database of Directors across Companies.

No, a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is mandatory for applying for a DIN Number. The DIN application must be electronically signed with the DSC.

If the DIN application is complete and error-free, the DIN Number is provided instantaneously. In case of any errors or additional document requirements, the DIN cell may take 2-3 working days to allot the DIN Number after receiving the required documents.