All about ROF Maharashtra

Under the Indian Partnership Act, registration of partnerships is not mandatory. However, registration of a partnership can be done with the Registrar of Firms. This article describes, in brief, the process of registration of a partnership firm in Maharashtra.

A partnership firm is formed when a group of people comes together to share the profits of a business carried out by them all jointly or any one of them acting for all. In India, a partnership firm is governed under the provisions of the Indian Partnership Act. The following elements are required to form a partnership under the Act, namely: 

1. An agreement (i.e., the Partnership Deed); 
2. Two or more individuals (i.e., Partners);
3. Intention to carry out a business; and
4. Intention to share profits received from thereon.

Registration of a Partnership Firm: 

Registration of a Partnership firm under the Act is not mandatory. However, a partnership firm can apply for registration as per the procedure under the Act. A partnership firm can be registered either through any of the partners or a Chartered Accountant / Advocate acting on being of such partnership firm. 

In Maharashtra, a partnership firm can apply for registration online through the website of Registrar of Firms, Maharashtra (https://rof.mahaonline.gov.in/) or through a manual process. Please note that once the online process is complete, the applicant is still required to take steps under the offline process to complete the registration of its partnership firm.

We will now describe the online and offline process of registration in brief: 

Online Registration:

In order to register a partnership firm through the online process, the following steps are to be followed: 

Step 1: Log in to https://rof.mahaonline.gov.in (“Website”)

Step 2: Fill in the details, as required under the new registration tab on the website (available here: https://rof.mahaonline.gov.in/IndividualRegister/IndividualRegister). Please note that a separate user ID and password will be required for each firm. 

Step 3: Once the registration as aforesaid is done, log in to the website and click on the tab ‘Firm Management’

Step 4: Click on ‘Raise Form A’ under this tab. Please note that for registration, submission of Form A is mandatory.

Step 5: Fill in the details as required in Form A and attach the necessary documents as required (explained below).

Step 6: Preview the form filed and click on ‘Submit’

Step 7: In addition to the above, carry out the steps mentioned under (ii), i.e., Offline Registration, to complete the process. 

Offline Registration:

Step 1: Print Form A on green ledger paper

Step 2: Fill in the details, if not filled in already. Please note that do not sign the application at this stage as the same is required to be signed before the designated authority. 

Step 3: Submit the form and necessary documents to the concerned designated authority. Details of such authority can be viewed from: https://rof.mahaonline.gov.in/ 

Step 4: Verify the form and the documents from the person sitting at the counter at the designed authority center

Step 5: Once the documents are verified, submit a demand draft for the filing fees (Rs. 1500). Please note that behind the DD, any one partner's name and contact are to be mentioned. 

Step 6: Upon submission of the documents and DD, an acknowledgment is received. At this stage, the process of registration stands complete. 

Documents required for registration:

The following documents are required for registration: 

• A true certified copy of Partnership Deed;
• A true certified copy of the Partnership Deed in Marathi; 
• Blank Stamp Paper of Rs. 10 in the name of any one partner or the firm;
• Authority letter signed by all partners if a Chartered Accountant/Advocate submits documents; and
• Covering letter with Rs.5 as court fee stamp. 

The registration process of a partnership firm is simple, as explained above. Registration of a firm with the Registrar gives various benefits to the firm, including legal recognition of the firm.