Online NGO Registration – Types, Procedure, Fees, Documents Required

Establishing a Non-Government Organization (NGO) helps you work for the betterment and improvement of society. To register an NGO, you need to understand what they are, how they work, and the registration requirements. There are three forms of NGO – Section 8 company, Society and Trust.

In effect from April 1, 2021, all NGOs need to file Form CSR-1 to register with Central Government to get CSR funding. Furthermore, FCRA registration is required if the NGO is seeking funds from foreign sources.

NGO stand as catalysts for addressing social issues, encompassing vital areas such as education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and human rights. If you are driven by a fervent desire to make a tangible difference and are determined to champion a cause that resonates with your values, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding NGO registration is the pivotal initial stride towards transforming your vision into a practical and impactful reality.

                            What is an NGO?

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit organization established by a group of natural persons for charitable and social purposes. The NGO’s objective is to promote non-profit objectives such as commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, protection of the environment and other charitable purposes. An NGO intends to apply all its profits in promoting such objectives. There are three types of NGO that we are going to cover in more detail.

                        Types of NGO Registration

There are three types of NGO registration, and each of them are governed by different laws:

1. Section 8 Company Registration under the Companies Act, 2013
2. Trust Registration under the Trust Act, 1882
3. Society Registration under the Societies Registration Act, 1860

                             Section 8 Company Registration

Section 8 company is the most popular form of NGO registration and has more credibility among donors, government and other stakeholders. It has more benefits than traditional charitable institutions and is registered under the Companies Act, 2013. The main objective of Section 8 company is to promote arts, sports, commerce, science, religion, social welfare, charity and environmental protection. Section 8 company can be registered both as a private limited company or a public limited company.

                             Trust Registration

Types of NGO RegistrationThere are three types of NGO registration, and each of them are governed by different laws:Section 8 Company Registration under the Companies Act, 2013Trust Registration under the Trust Act, 1882Society Registration under the Societies Registration Act, 1860Section 8 Company RegistrationSection 8 company is the most popular form of NGO registration and has more credibility among donors, government and other stakeholders. It has more benefits than traditional charitable institutions and is registered under the Companies Act, 2013. The main objective of Section 8 company is to promote arts, sports, commerce, science, religion, social welfare, charity and environmental protection. Section 8 company can be registered both as a private limited company or a public limited company.Trust RegistrationTrust, also known as Charitable Trust, is a non-profit organization registered under the Trust Act of 1882. Trust is incorporated as a legal entity where the owner or “trustor” transfers his assets to the second party or “trustee” for the benefit of the third party or “beneficiary”. There are two types of trust – Public Trust and Private Trust. Public Trust is created to provide benefit to the general public, and Private Trust is created to benefit a particular group of individuals.Society RegistrationSociety is a form of non-governmental organization created by a group of individuals united for a common non-profit objective of a charitable cause. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. All the entity members come together and work towards promoting charitable activities like education, art, science, religion, sport, etc.

                                  Society Registration

Society is a form of non-governmental organization created by a group of individuals united for a common non-profit objective of a charitable cause. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. All the entity members come together and work towards promoting charitable activities like education, art, science, religion, sport, etc.

                   Minimum requirements for NGO Registration

1. Minimum 2 directors for the incorporation of Section 8 company as a private limited company
2. Minimum 3 directors for registration of Section 8 company as a public limited company
3. At least one director should be the resident of India
4. Registered office address
5. The objective of the company should be for a charitable or social purpose only
6. The profit earned cannot be shared among shareholders

                    Documents required for NGO Registration

1. Passport size photographs of the directors
2. Copy of Aadhar Card
3. Copy of Driving License or Voter ID
4. Copy of PAN Card
5. Copy of latest bank statement or utility bill for address proof
6. No objection certificate from the owner of the property

                       Process of NGO Registration

Step 1. Application for Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Step 2. Application for the Name Availability

Step 3. Application for Section 8 License

Step 4. Filing of SPICe Form (INC-32)

Step 5. Filing of e-MoA (INC-33) and e-AoA (INC-34)

Step 6. Issuance of PAN, TAN and Incorporation Certificate

Note: It should be ensured that the company name does not resemble the name of any other already registered company and also does not violate the provisions of emblems and names (Prevention of Improper Use Act, 1950). You can quickly check the name availability by using our company name search tool to verify the same.

               Documents you’ll get after NGO incorporation

Post incorporation of Section 8 company, you’ll receive the following documents:

1. Certificate of Incorporation
2. Section 8 License
3. Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the company
4. Temporary Account Number (TAN) of the company
5. Articles of Association (AoA)
6. Memorandum of Association (MoA)
7. Director Identification Number (DIN)
8. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
9. EPF and ESIC registration documents
10. Company Master data

                                  NGO Registration Fees

The total fee for NGO registration in Delhi is Rs.7,499 , which includes government fee as well as professional fee of Professional Utilities.

*Important Note: The total cost of registering a company varies from state to state. Refer to the map for state-wise prices.

              How long does it take to register an NGO?

♦ The registration process of Section 8 Company takes around 10-14 working days.

♦ The Trust incorporation process takes around 20 working days, subject to verification by the department.

♦ The Society registration process takes around 25 working days, subject to verification by the department.

                             Conclusion and Last Words

Working towards the betterment and improvement of society without any profit motive is an excellent service to the world. To do that legally, establishing an NGO is very important to get various benefits like donations from prominent foundations, tax exemptions, etc.

Choosing the suitable form of NGO is equally crucial as it is a one time work but would benefit the organization in the long-term. We at Professional Utilities offer free expert consultation to help you choose the right kind of non-profit organization as per your requirements. Get in touch with our professional team to decide which form of non-governmental organization is most suitable for your company’s goals.