Certificate of Incorporation: what it is and what it shows
A Certificate of Incorporation is issued by the Registrar under section 7 and is conclusive proof a company exists. It shows the CIN, PAN and TAN.
Short answer
A Certificate of Incorporation is the document issued by the Registrar of Companies under section 7 of the Companies Act, 2013 confirming that a company has been registered. It is conclusive evidence that the company exists as a separate legal person from the date shown, and in SPICe+ it also carries the company's CIN, PAN and TAN.
- Issued under
- Section 7(2), Companies Act 2013
- Issued by
- Registrar of Companies via the Central Registration Centre
- Shows
- Name, CIN, date of incorporation, PAN and TAN
How the certificate is issued
After the SPICe+ form, e-MoA, e-AoA and AGILE-PRO-S are approved, the Central Registration Centre issues the certificate electronically under the digital signature of the Registrar. It is emailed to the applicant and to directors and can be downloaded from the MCA portal. There is no separate physical certificate in normal practice.
The certificate states the company name, the Corporate Identity Number, the date of incorporation and the type of company, and it lists the PAN and TAN allotted through the integrated form.
What happens after incorporation
The certificate is the starting point for several obligations. A company with share capital must file a declaration of commencement of business in Form INC-20A within 180 days, and it must appoint its first auditor within 30 days.
- Open the bank account and deposit subscription money
- File INC-20A within 180 days
- Appoint the first auditor within 30 days
- Hold the first board meeting within 30 days
- Issue share certificates to subscribers within two months
Why it matters for startups
Banks, payment gateways, marketplaces and investors ask for the certificate during onboarding. Keep the PDF safe along with the MoA and AoA. If the name changes later, the ROC issues a fresh certificate consequent on change of name, and the CIN may change if the company type or listing status changes.
Related services
Sources
Written by the Refogo Editorial Team from the official sources above and checked on 2026-10-31. Laws, rates and due dates change, and authorities often extend deadlines, so confirm your own case with a qualified professional. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Read our editorial policy or report an error to support@refogo.com.
Common questions
Can I get a duplicate certificate of incorporation?
Yes. The certificate can be downloaded again from the MCA portal using the company's CIN, and certified copies can be requested from the ROC for a fee.
Does the certificate have an expiry date?
No. It remains valid for as long as the company exists, unless the company is struck off or wound up.
Is the date of incorporation important?
Yes. It starts the clock for INC-20A, the first board meeting, the first auditor appointment, and the 10-year age limit for startup recognition.