Cardiff Services

Society Registration

Society Registration – Overview

A Society is a popular form of not-for-profit organization in India, established for charitable, literary, scientific, or social welfare purposes. Societies are governed by the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and relevant state amendments. Unlike informal associations, a registered society has a legal identity that allows it to hold property, open bank accounts, enter into contracts, and receive grants or donations.

 

Society Registration requires a minimum of seven members (in most states) to form the governing body. Registered societies enjoy greater credibility with government authorities, donors, and institutions, making it easier to raise funds and carry out large-scale activities. They are also eligible to apply for 12A, 80G, and FCRA registrations for tax exemptions and foreign contributions.

 

At Cardiff Services, we provide end-to-end assistance in society registration — from drafting the Memorandum of Association (MOA) & Rules and Regulations, filing with the Registrar of Societies, obtaining PAN, and applying for tax registrations — ensuring your NGO is fully compliant and recognized.

Key Features of Society Registration

  • Minimum Members Required – At least 7 members (in most states) are needed to form a society; there is no upper limit.

  • Charitable & Social Purpose – Societies can be registered for promotion of education, art, culture, religion, science, literature, or public welfare.

  • Legal Identity – A registered society can hold property, sue or be sued, and enter into contracts in its own name.

  • Democratic Management – Societies are run by a governing body or managing committee elected by members.

  • Perpetual Succession – Membership may change, but the society continues as a legal entity.

  • Credibility with Donors – Registration enhances transparency and makes it easier to secure grants and donations.

  • Tax Benefits – Eligible to apply for 12A, 80G, and FCRA registrations for tax exemptions and foreign funding.

  • State-Level Registration – Governed by the Societies Registration Act, 1860, but actual registration is done with the Registrar of Societies of the respective state.

Documents Required for Society Registration

  1. Founding Members’ Documents

    • PAN Card of all members (mandatory)

    • Aadhaar Card / Passport / Voter ID / Driving License of members

    • Passport-size photographs of all members

    • Address proof (utility bill or bank statement, not older than 2 months)

  2. Proof of Registered Office

    • Latest electricity/telephone bill of the premises

    • Rent Agreement / Lease Deed (if rented)

    • No Objection Certificate (NOC) from property owner

  3. Society Constitution Documents

    • Memorandum of Association (MOA) stating:

      • Name of the Society

      • Objectives of the Society

      • Details of governing body members

    • Rules & Regulations / Bylaws of the Society (detailing management, membership, quorum, meetings, etc.)

  4. Supporting Documents

    • Covering letter requesting registration, signed by founding members

    • Affidavits from President/Secretary declaring the society’s purpose is charitable

    • List of executive committee / governing body with designations and addresses

    • Declaration by members that funds will be used only for the stated objectives

  5. Other Requirements

    • Minimum of 7 members required (some states allow societies with all Indian members, while others require at least one member from the state of registration)

    • Additional supporting documents as per state-specific Societies Registration Act rules

Step-by-Step Procedure for Society Registration

  1. Selection of Name

    • Choose a unique name for the society that is not identical or similar to an existing registered society, trust, or company.

    • Ensure the name does not violate the Emblems and Names Act, 1950.

  2. Drafting of MOA & Rules/Bylaws

    • Prepare the Memorandum of Association (MOA) stating the name, objectives, and details of members.

    • Draft the Rules & Regulations (Bylaws) covering membership criteria, governance structure, duties of office bearers, and meeting procedures.

  3. Preparation of Documents

    • Collect PAN, Aadhaar, photographs, and address proof of all members.

    • Obtain proof of registered office address along with NOC from the property owner.

    • Prepare affidavits and declarations confirming the charitable purpose of the society.

  4. Application Submission

    • Submit the application to the Registrar of Societies in the state where the society’s registered office is located.

    • Application is generally signed by at least 7 founding members (some states may require more).

    • Attach MOA, Rules & Regulations, member details, affidavits, and supporting documents.

  5. Verification by Registrar

    • Registrar reviews the application and may ask for clarifications or additional documents.

    • Once satisfied, the Registrar approves the registration.

  6. Issuance of Registration Certificate

    • The Registrar issues a Certificate of Registration of Society, providing the society legal recognition.

  7. Post-Registration Compliance

    • Apply for PAN and open a bank account in the society’s name.

    • Apply for 12A and 80G under the Income-tax Act for tax exemptions.

    • Apply for FCRA registration if the society intends to receive foreign donations.

Frequently Asked Questions

A company name search ensures that your chosen business name is unique, legally compliant, and not already registered with Companies House UK. It helps you avoid legal disputes, trademark issues, and confusion in the Cardiff business market.

If your desired name is already registered, you’ll need to choose a different name or modify it. Using a taken name could result in rejection by Companies House or potential legal issues. Our experts can help you brainstorm alternative names that are compliant and market-ready.

It’s not advisable to use a name that’s too similar to another company, especially within the same industry. Similar names can confuse customers and risk trademark disputes. A company name search helps you identify these risks early.

For a company name search in Cardiff, you may need:

  • Proposed company name

  • Business entity type (Ltd, LLP, Partnership, etc.)

  • Jurisdiction (Cardiff / UK)

  • Owner or shareholder details (if applicable)

  • Business description

A “high probability” result means your proposed company name is likely to be available, but further checks are recommended. This is why our detailed Cardiff Company Name Search Report includes both identical and similar names for clarity.

Certain words are restricted under UK law (e.g., “bank,” “insurance,” “government”). If you want to use them, you’ll need special approval from regulatory bodies. We guide you through this process if your Cardiff business requires such terms