The Complete GST Registration Checklist for 2026
Short answer: To register for GST you need PAN, Aadhaar, a photograph, proof of the business address and bank account proof, plus the documents for your entity type, such as a partnership deed or a certificate of incorporation. You receive an ARN as soon as the application is filed, and a GSTIN is typically issued in 3 to 7 working days when the documents are in order.
Key takeaways
- Registration is mandatory above ₹40 lakh of turnover for goods and ₹20 lakh for services, or ₹20 lakh and ₹10 lakh in special-category states.
- A sole proprietor needs PAN, Aadhaar, a photograph, address proof and bank proof. An LLP or a company also needs its constitution documents and a DSC.
- Most delays come from avoidable errors: a name or address mismatch, poor scans, the wrong constitution type, a missing signature, or an incorrect HSN or SAC code.
- Most straightforward applications complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC online, with no physical visit.
Getting GST registration right the first time saves you weeks of back-and-forth with the department. Here's the checklist we run through with every client before we file.
Before You Start
Confirm which threshold applies to you: ₹40 lakh turnover for goods, ₹20 lakh for services (₹20 lakh and ₹10 lakh respectively in special-category states). If you're below the threshold but want to register anyway, which is common for freelancers and D2C sellers, that's allowed too.
Documents by Entity Type
- Sole Proprietor: PAN, Aadhaar, photograph, address proof, bank proof.
- Partnership/LLP: Partnership deed or LLP agreement, firm PAN, partner PAN/Aadhaar, DSC (LLP only).
- Private Limited: Certificate of Incorporation, MOA/AOA, director PAN/Aadhaar, DSC, board resolution.
See our full documents checklist page for the complete table, including HUF and foreign company requirements.
The Five Mistakes That Cause Delays
- Name or address mismatches between PAN and your address proof.
- Blurry, oversized, or wrong-format document uploads.
- Choosing the wrong constitution type (e.g., registering as a proprietor when you've actually incorporated an LLP).
- Missing digital signature or e-sign from the authorised signatory.
- Picking an incorrect HSN/SAC code for your principal business activity.
What Happens After You File
You'll receive an ARN (Application Reference Number) immediately. Most straightforward applications complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC online with no physical visit. If everything checks out, GSTIN issuance typically takes 3 to 7 working days.
Our Take
Most registration delays aren't the department being slow. They're avoidable document errors caught only after submission. Reviewing documents before filing, not after a clarification notice, is the single biggest lever for a fast approval.
Ready to register? Start your GST registration from ₹399.
Official sources
The rules, rates and deadlines described here are set by the government and do change. This is where they are officially published:
- GST Portal, Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
- GST Acts, rules and notifications, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
Keep reading
- RegistrationYou've Just Incorporated. Does the Company Need GST Registration?A certificate of incorporation is not a GST registration, and the GSTIN from your old proprietorship does not transfer to the new company. Here's what a newly formed business actually has to do.
- RegistrationGST Registration Threshold: Is It ₹40 Lakh, ₹20 Lakh, or ₹10 Lakh?Everyone quotes a different number, and they're all partly right. The threshold depends on goods versus services, your state, and whether one of the compulsory-registration rules applies to you.
- RegistrationYou've Got Your GSTIN. What Happens in the First 30 Days?Registration is the start of your obligations, not the end of the job. Six things to get right in the first month, one of which can get your registration suspended.