A Corporate Identification Number, commonly known as CIN, is a unique identification number given to companies registered in India. It helps identify a company and track its registration details with the authorities.
Searching a company by its CIN number is one of the quickest ways to verify official company information. It is commonly used for due diligence, compliance checks, and verification before entering into business arrangements. This guide explains how to do a CIN number search and why it is useful.
Overview of the Corporate Identification Number
Every company registered in India is assigned a Corporate Identification Number, which is a 21-digit alphanumeric code issued by the Registrar of Companies at the time of incorporation. The CIN is used in all statutory filings and official communication with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The CIN helps uniquely identify a company and link it to its official records. Each CIN is specific to one company and remains unchanged throughout the company’s existence, unless there is a change in its legal status.
In addition to identification, the CIN also reflects key details such as the company’s listing status, industry classification, state of registration, year of incorporation, and company type. This makes the CIN number search useful when carrying out company verification or basic due diligence, as the number itself provides insights into the company’s registration profile.
How is CIN used
The Corporate Identification Number is required to be quoted on various official documents issued by a company. This includes invoices, letterheads, annual reports, and financial statements. Mentioning the CIN on these documents is a statutory requirement under company law.
Failure to quote the CIN where required can attract penalties and compliance issues. From a verification perspective, the CIN is also useful for anyone looking to access official company details. Having the CIN makes it easier to retrieve accurate information through the MCA portal without ambiguity.
How to search a company by CIN number
Searching a company by its Corporate Identification Number is one of the most accurate ways to verify company details in India. Since a CIN is unique to each company, it helps retrieve precise information without confusion.
Step 1: Visit the MCA portal
Go to the official website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs:
https://www.mca.gov.in/
Step 2: Navigate to the company master data
From the homepage, click on MCA Services. Under Company Services, select View Company/LLP Master Data.
Step 3: Enter the CIN number
On the search page, enter the 21-digit Corporate Identification Number in the relevant field. Ensure the CIN is entered correctly, without spaces or errors.
Step 4: Complete the captcha and submit
Enter the captcha code displayed on the screen and click Submit.
Step 5: View company details
Once submitted, the system will display the company’s master data. This includes information such as company name, registration status, date of incorporation, registered office address, authorised capital, and details of directors.
This method allows users to quickly verify official company information using data maintained by the authorities.
Common issues while searching by CIN
While searching for a company using its Corporate Identification Number, users may occasionally face issues. Most of these are related to input errors or the company’s current status.
- Incorrect or incomplete CIN entered: A CIN is a 21-digit alphanumeric code. Even a small typing error, a missing character, or an extra space can prevent the system from showing results. Always enter the CIN exactly as issued.
- Company details not appearing: If the CIN is correct but details are not displayed, the company may be inactive, struck off, or under a particular status where details are limited. Recent changes or filings may also take time to reflect on the portal.
- Captcha validation errors: Captcha errors are common and usually temporary. Refreshing the page and re-entering the captcha code generally resolves the issue.
- System or portal downtime: At times, the MCA portal may be under maintenance or experiencing technical issues. In such cases, trying again after some time is recommended.
Conclusion
Searching a company by its CIN is one of the most accurate ways to verify official company information. Since a CIN is unique to each company, it helps avoid confusion, as well as it ensures that the details retrieved are reliable and up to date.
Using the search facility on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal allows businesses and individuals to access key registration and compliance information quickly. Regular verification through CIN number search supports better due diligence and informed decision-making.
Keeping company and compliance records organised further simplifies this process. When statutory and financial information is maintained systematically, verification becomes easier. TallyPrime helps businesses manage accounting and compliance records in one place, supporting smoother documentation and ongoing regulatory requirements.
