A Section 8 Company is a registered non-profit organization formed for charitable, educational, religious, social, scientific, or welfare-driven objectives. To maintain credibility and legal authenticity, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) mandates a list of documents at each stage of the Section 8 Company registration process.
This guide covers all mandatory documents, format guidelines, common mistakes, and checklists to help you file easily under the updated SPICe+ system.
Introduction
The documentation for Section 8 company registration is stricter than normal companies because the entity enjoys tax exemptions and credibility benefits. MCA ensures only genuine NGOs are incorporated, so applicants must submit identity proofs, address proofs, declaration formats, objectives, and office documents properly.
List of Documents Required for Section 8 Company Registration
Below is an overview of all essential documents:
- PAN of all directors and members
- Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport / Driving License
- Current address proofs (Electricity bill / Water bill / Utility bill or Bank statement)
- Passport-size photographs
- Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)
- Director Identification Number (DIN) details
- Proof of registered office
- NOC from the premises owner
- Object statement of the NGO
- Financial projection statement (3 years)
- Declaration forms (INC-9, INC-15)
- MOA & AOA in Section 8 format
Each of these documents is explained in detail below.
Documents Required from Directors & Members
Pan Card (Any One – Mandatory)
- PAN Card (compulsory for Indian nationals)
- Passport (compulsory for foreign nationals)
Identity Proof
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Driving License
- Passport
Address Proof
- Latest Bank Statement
- Latest Utility Bill (Electricity/Water/Telephone)
Photographs
- Recent passport-size photo of each director/member
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
A DSC (Class 3) is mandatory for signing all SPICe+ forms.
INC-9 (Declaration by Subscribers & Directors)
Automatically generated in SPICe+ for PAN-verified individuals.
Documents Required for Registered Office
Proof of Office Address
Anyone of the following:
- Latest electricity bill
- Water bill
- Telephone bill
- Gas Bill
(Document must not be older than 2 months.)
NOC from the Property Owner
A No Objection Certificate stating that they allow the use of the premises as the company’s registered office.
Rent Agreement / Property Documents
- If the office is rented → Rent Agreement
- If self-owned → Ownership papers
Documents Required for Name Approval
For Section 8 Company Registration, the name must reflect the NGO’s objective.
Documents include:
- Proposed name choices (Maximum 2)
- Object clause (brief description)
- Sector of activity (education, health, social welfare, etc.)
(Name must include keywords like Foundation, Association, Society, Council, Forum, Charitable, etc).
Documents for MOA & AOA
Memorandum of Association (MOA) – Form INC-13
Must include:
- Vision & mission of the NGO
- Objectives (charitable/social in nature)
- Proposed activities
- Details of promoters
Articles of Association (AOA)
Must define:
- Governing structure
- Membership rules
- Meeting & voting rights
- Utilization of income rules
- Dissolution clause
Declaration in INC-15
A declaration that the NGO will comply with Section 8 Company Registration norms.
Optional / Supporting Documents
These improve chances of approval:
- Activity Report (if an existing NGO is being upgraded)
- Financial projections for 3 years
- CSR tie-up letters (if applicable)
- Board resolution (if a corporate member is subscribing)
- Passport for NRI/Foreign Directors + apostilled address proof
Format Guidelines
All documents must be clear, color scanned
- File format: PDF or JPG
- Maximum size: 10MB per document (MCA portal limit)
- Address proof must be recent (≤ 2 months)
- For foreign nationals → Notarisation/Apostille required
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting outdated address proof
- Submitting unclear/blurred scans
- Wrong object clause or missing charitable keywords
- Mismatch in name between PAN, Aadhaar, and DSC
- AOA missing dissolution clause
- Not attaching owner’s NOC
- Uploading utility bill older than 2 months
Avoiding these mistakes ensures quick MCA approval.
Final Checklist – Section 8 Company Registration Documents
| Category | Documents | ||
| Identity | PAN, Aadhaar/Passport/Driving License | ||
| Address | Bank Statement / Utility Bill | ||
| Director Docs | DSC, DIN, DIR-2, INC-9 | ||
| Office Docs | Rent Agreement, NOC, Utility Bill | ||
| NGO Docs | Objectives, Activity plan, Projections | ||
| MOA/AOA | INC-13, Section 8 AOA format | ||
| Additional | Board resolution, passport for foreign nationals | ||
FAQs
Are PAN and Aadhaar both mandatory?
PAN is mandatory. Aadhaar is optional but commonly used as address proof.
Can the registered office be residential?
Yes. MCA allows residential premises for Section 8 Company Registration.
Do foreign directors need notarized documents?
Yes. Passport and address proofs must be apostilled/notarised.
Is DSC mandatory for all directors?
Yes. Every director or subscriber signing the form needs a DSC.
What size of documents is accepted on MCA?
Documents up to 10MB per file (PDF/JPG).
Is it mandatory for to file 12A and 80G after section 8 company registration?
A-6 While it’s not mandatory, obtaining 12A and 80G registration is highly recommended. These registrations offer income tax exemptions for the company and enable donors to claim tax deductions on their donations.
Is there any government fee concession for Section 8 Company registration?
A -7 Yes, the government charges a reduced fee for Section 8 Companies as compared to other companies. However, professional fees for documentation and filing may still apply.
Can I register the Section 8 company in any state in India?
A -8 Yes, you can register a Section 8 Company from any state in India. The jurisdiction of the Registrar of Companies (ROC) will depend on the state in which your registered office is located.
