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 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