What is a Company Registration Number?

What is the Company Registration Number?

The CIN (Corporate Identification Number) is a 21-digit distinctive number assigned to companies in India, regardless of their ownership structure, such as private limited companies, limited companies, and other registered organizations. It serves the purpose of establishing the legitimacy of an organization and plays a crucial role in the future identification of the company. If the company does not mention the registration number of the company or CIN, then the company and every officer in default shall be liable to a penalty of rupees one thousand for every day during which default continues but not exceeding one lakh rupees.

The responsibility of issuing the CIN or company number lies with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), which exists in each state. Business owners can approach the ROC experts to facilitate the incorporation of their companies and obtain the Company Registration Number also known as company number.

With the exception of some states in eastern India that lack a dedicated ROC, every state has its own CIN or company numbers. These unique identification numbers aid in identifying businesses and verifying the authenticity of a company. Furthermore, the CIN number enables seamless tracking of the basic information associated with a company.

CIN is proof that the business is registered with the Registrar of Companies(ROC).

How is the Company Registration Number Created?

CIN (Company registration number) comprises various information in it, such as:

• The first letter of the company registration number indicates if the company is listed or unlisted; i.e., if the first letter of the CIN number starts with ‘U,’ it means it is an unlisted company, and if the CIN number starts with ‘L” it means it is listed company.
• The next 5 digits refer to the industry the company belongs to and the activities in which the company is engaged.
• The next 2 digits of the CIN number is an abbreviation that indicates the state where the company is originally registered. For example, if the state code is RJ, it refers to the state of Rajasthan.
• The next 4 digits of the company registration number reveal the year in which the company is registered.
• The subsequent 3 letters signify the type of ownership or structure of the company. Examples include 'PLC' for a Public Limited Company, 'SGC' for a Company of State Government, 'NPL' for a Section 8 Company or Not-for-Profit Company, 'OPC' for a One Person Company.
• The last 6 digits form the unique registration number, which can also be called a company number assigned by the Registrar of Companies (ROC). It serves as the official identification number for the company, distinguishing it from other registered entities.

What is the Process for Obtaining the Company Registration Number?

Wondering where to get a company registration number? Here are the steps for obtaining a company number. After selecting the kind of business, your company will involve in, you can obtain the company registration number (CIN) by following these steps:

• Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) from a certified agency. This will allow you to sign electronic documents and forms online.
• Apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN) from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). This is a unique number assigned to each director of a company.
• Register as a new user on the MCA portal. You will need your DSC and DIN to do this.
• Complete the company incorporation process on the MCA portal. You will need to fill out various forms and submit the required documents and fees.
• Establish your company legally by obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation from the MCA. This will confirm your company's name, address, and date of formation.

Moreover, once you have submitted all the required documents and incorporation forms, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs will assess and approve the application and issue the Company Registration Number (CIN).

What is the Importance of the Company Registration Number?

A Company Registration Number is used to monitor and track the activities and operations of a company from the time of its incorporation by the Registrar of Companies (ROC). This unique 21-digit number must be displayed or provided in all transactions and documentation involving the respective state’s ROC.

The Company Registration Number carries significant meaning and can be easily interpreted, allowing for the extraction of fundamental information about a registered company under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It enables the retrieval of primary details and facilitates the identification and tracking of companies at various levels of information maintained by the MCA/ROC.