LLP Formation check lists

LLP FORMATION

Key Incorporation Requirement
Partners
Contribution
Designated Partners
Designated Partners Identification Number
Digital Signature Certificate
LLP Name
LLP Agreement
Registered Office
Partner
There should be atleast 2 persons (natural or artificial) are required to form a LLP. In case any Body Corporate is a partner, than he will be required to nominate any person (natural) as its nominee for the purpose of the LLP.
Following can become a partner in the LLP
Company incorporated in and outside India
LLP incorporated in & outside India
Individuals resident in & outside India
Contribution
In case of LLP, there is no concept of any share capital but every partner is required to contribute towards the LLP in some manner. The said contribution can be tangible, movable or immovable or intangible property or other benefit to the limited liability partnership, including money, promissory notes, and other agreements to contribute cash or property, and contracts for services performed or to be performed.
In case the contribution is in intangible form, the value of the same shall be certified by a practicing Chartered Accountant or by a practicing Cost Accountant or by approved valuer from the panel maintained by the Central Government. The monetary value of contribution of each partner shall be accounted for and disclosed in the accounts of the limited liability partnership in the manner as may be prescribed.
The LLP Agreement must specify the contribution intended to be paid by all the members and the form in which it will be paid.
Designated Partners
‘Designated Partner’ means a partner who is designated as such in the incorporation documents or who become a designated partner by and in accordance with the Limited Liability Partnership Agreement.
Every limited liability partnership shall have at least two designated partners who are individuals and at least one of them shall be a resident in India
Provided that in case of a limited liability partnership in which all the partners are bodies corporate or in which one or more partners are individuals and bodies corporate, at least two individuals who are partners of such limited liability partner­ship or nominees of such bodies corporate shall act as designated partners.
Designated Partner shall be:
Responsible for the doing of all acts, matters and things as are required to be done by the limited liability part­nership in respect of compliance of the provisions of this Act including filing of any document, return, statement and the like report pursuant to the provisions of this Act and as may be specified in the limited liability partnership agreement; and
Liable to all penalties imposed on the limited liabili­ty partnership for any contravention of those provisions.
Explanation.—for the purposes of this section, the term “resi­dent in India” means a person who has stayed in India for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty-two days during the immediately preceding one year.
Designated Partners Identification Number (DPIN)
Every Designated Partner is required to obtain a DPIN from the Central Government.
DPIN is an eight digit numeric number allotted by the Central Government in order to identify a particular partner and can be obtained by making an online application in Form 7 to Central Government and submitting the physical application along with necessary identity and Address proof of the person applying with prescribed fees. However if an individual already holds a DIN (Director Identification Number), the same number could be allotted as your DPIN also. For that the users while submitting Form 7 needs to fill their existing DIN No. in the application.
It is not necessary to apply Designated Partner Identification Number every time you are appointed partner in a LLP, once this number is allotted it would be used in all the LLP’s in which you will be appointed as partner.
Digital Signature Certificate
All the forms like eForm 1, eForm 2, eForm 3 etc which are required for the purpose of incorporating the LLP are filed electronically through the medium of Internet. Since all these forms are required to be signed by the partner of the proposed LLP and as all these forms are to be filed electronically, it is not possible to sign them manually. Therefore, for the purpose of signing these forms, at least one of the Designated Partner of the proposed LLP needs to have a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
The Digital Signature Certificate once obtained will be useful in filing various forms which are required to be filed during the course of existence of the LLP with the Registrar of LLP.
LLP Name
Selection of the name for the proposed LLP to be incorporated is one of the important processes of the entire incorporation process, ideally the name of the LLP should be such which represents the business or activity intended to be carried on by the LLP. Before selecting the name of the LLP, it is necessary to evaluate the proposed name under the following given criteria:
LLP with Similar Name: The proposed name of the LLP should not be similar to the name of the Company or LLP , which is already registered in India.For example:
Name of Company already registered: Oasis Water Treatments Pvt Ltd
Name of Proposed LLP: Oasis Water Treatment LLP
Whether Proposed Name would be available: No
Prohibited Word: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs of India has prescribed certain words, which should not form part of the name of LLP intended to be incorporated in India, such words are prohibited under The Emblems and Names (Prevention of improper use) Act, 1950.
Words Based on Approval: Various government regulatory authorities operating in India like Securities & Exchange Board of India, Reserve Bank of India, has prescribed certain words, which if forms part of the name of the proposed LLP to be incorporated, requires there first hand approval.
Names reserved for Foreign LLP/Companies: In case Foreign LLP/Companies have reserved their name under rule 18 of the LLP Rules 2009, than that name will not be applicable for forming of LLP to persons other than the Foreign LLP/Company


WORDS WHICH ARE PROHIBITED


Words
Reasons


National, Union, Central, Federal, Republic, President, Rasthrapathi, Small Scale Industries, Cottage Industries, Financial Corporations, Municipality, Panchayat or any other word imparting connection Union or State Government
It signifies Government Patronage or Participation


State together with the name of Particular State for e.g. Delhi state corporations Ltd
It gives an impression that the state is also participating in the paid up share capital of the company


Ashoka Chakra, Dharma Chakra, Name of Parliament , State Legislature
Prohibited Under Emblems & Names (Prevention of Improper Use ) Act, 1955


Rama Krishna Math, Ramakrishna Sarada Mission, Bharat Scouts, Interpol
Prohibited Under Emblems & Names (Prevention of Improper Use ) Act, 1955


Chhatarpait Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi or the name of any Prime Minister/President of India
Prohibited Under Emblems & Names (Prevention of Improper Use)Act,1955






WORDS WHICH REQUIRES APPROVALS
Proposed Words
Approval Required
Venture Capital/Venture Capital Company/Venture Capital Fund/Venture Capital Finance Company
Department of Economic Affairs/ SEBI
Stock Exchange/Mutual Funds
Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Name belongs to registered trade mark
Owner of the registered trade mark
Bank, Banking
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Insurance
Insurance Development Regularity Authority of India (IDRA)

LLP Agreement
For the purpose of forming a LLP, there should be agreement between the partners interested in forming the LLP to be known as LLP Agreement. The said Agreement forms the basis of the formation of LLP and lays down its founding structure. The LLP agreement is an agreement between the Partners and between the LLP & its partners.
The basic contents of Agreement are:
Name of LLP
Name of Partners & Designated Partners
Form of contribution
Profit Sharing ratio
Rights & Duties of Partners
In case no agreement is entered into, the rights & duties as prescribed under Schedule I to the LLP Act shall be applicable. It is possible to amend the LLP Agreement but every change made in the said agreement must be intimated to the Registrar of Companies.
Registered Office
The Registered office of the LLP is the place where all correspondence related with the LLP would take place, though the LLP can also prescribe any other for the same. A registered office is required for maintaining the statutory records and books of Account of LLP.
At the time of incorporation, it is necessary to submit proof of ownership or right to use the office as its registered office with the Registrar of LLP.

INCOPRORATION FLOWCHART







Incorporation Procedure
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Step I Deciding the Partners and Designated Partners

A LLP can be incorporated with a minimum of atleast two partners who can be Individuals or Body Corporate through their nominees. Further for incorporating an LLP, of the total number no. of partners, atleast two shall be Designated Partners, of which atleast one must be an Indian Resident.
Parameters for deciding the Partners and Designated Partners:
Atleast Two Partners; Individuals or Body Corporate through individual nominees.
Minimum of Two Individuals as Designated Partners, of total no. of Partners.
Atleast One Designated Partner to be Resident Indian.
A person ‘Resident in India’ means a person who has stayed in India for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty two days during the immediately preceding one year. (Explanation to Section-7())
‘Designated Partner’ means a partner who is designated as such in the incorporation documents or who become a designated partner by and in accordance with the Limited Liability Partnership Agreement
•
Step II Obtaining DPIN No. & Digital Signature

Designated Partner Identification Number (DPIN): Section 7 (6) of LLP Act 2008, provides that every Designated Partner to obtain a DPIN from the Central Government.
DPIN is an eight digit numeric number allotted by the Central Government in order to identify a particular partner and can be obtained by making an online application in eForm 7 to Central Government and submitting the physical application along with necessary identity and Address proof of the person applying with prescribed fees.
Digital Signature Certificate: As all the documents and forms required for incorporating an LLP in India to be filed electronically and under the signatures of Designated Partners, thus atleast one Designated Partner to obtain the digital signature certificates from government recognized DSA’s. The signatures shall also be required for signing and filing of all relevant forms and documents to be filed, annually or event based after incorporation of the LLP, asking for approvals or as intimation.
Likewise the manual signatures, digital signature certificates are individual specific and no partner needs to obtain more than one.
•
Step III Checking the Name Availability

The next step is to decide the name for the proposed LLP to be incorporated, anyone intending to incorporate an LLP has to evaluate his proposed name under the prescribed parameters and make an application in Form 1of Rule 18(5) of the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008, for reservation of the desired name.
The name of the limited liability partnership shall not be similar or identical with Company or LLP already registered in India and it should not contains words prohibited under the ‘Emblems and Names (Prevention of improper use) Act, 1950’or which are also not ‘Undesirable’ in the opinion of Central Government or which satisfies the conditions prescribed under rule 18(2). For more information check Name Availability Guidelines.
In case any Body Corporate is partner, copy of Board resolution authorizing the incorporation of LLP shall be attached

•
Step IV Drafting of LLP Agreement

The next pertinent step is drafting of Limited Liability Partnership Agreement governing the mutual rights and duties among the partners and among the LLP and its partners.
The basic contents of Agreement are:
Name of LLP
Name of Partners & Designated Partners
Form of contribution
Profit Sharing ratio
Rights & Duties of Partners
Proposed Business
Rules for governing the LLP
In case no agreement is entered into, the rights & duties as prescribed under Schedule I to the LLP Act shall be applicable
It is not necessary to have the LLP Agreement signed at the time of incorporation, as the details of the same needs to field in eform 3 within 30 days of incorporation but in order to avoid any dispute between the partners as to the terms & conditions of the agreement after the formation of LLP, it is always beneficial to have the LLP Agreement drafted and executed before the incorporation of the LLP.
In case the Agreement is executed outside India, than it must be notarized and consularized, for more information check “Incorporation of LLP” under FAQ’s
•
Step V Filing of Incorporation Documents

Next is the filing of Incorporation documents, consent of Partners and declaration electronically through the medium of e-forms prescribed with the Registrar of LLP for incorporation of the LLP on payment of prescribed fees based on the total monetary value of contribution of partners in the proposed LLP.
eForm 2: Incorporation Document
This is an informative document setting down the details of LLP, its Partners including designated partners along with their amount of contribution and consent for forming a Limited Liability Partnership to carry on a lawful business with profit motive along with declaration stating that all the requirements of Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 regarding incorporation of LLP in India have been complied with.
eForm 3: Details of LLP Agreement
This form provides for the necessary information in respect to the LLP Agreement entered into between the partners.
eForm 4: Consent of Partners Consent of each partner to become a partner of Limited Liability Partnership along with their address and identity proof to be filed with the Registrar of Companies.
Subscription Sheet: Just like in case of Company formation, the partners are required to subscribe their names along with signatures to the subscription sheet, which shall be witnessed by any chartered Accountant/Company Secretary/Advocate in practice.
In case the subscription sheet is executed outside India, than it must be notarized and consularized, for more information check “Incorporation of LLP” under FAQ’s
eForm 3 & 4 are required to filed within 30 days of the incorporation.
All the eforms will be digitally signed by any Designated partner and shall be certified by an advocate/company secretary/chartered accountant/cost accountant in practice engaged in the formation of LLP.

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Step VI Certificate of Incorporation



Step I Deciding the Partners and Designated Partners
A LLP can be incorporated with a minimum of atleast two partners who can be Individuals or Body Corporate through their nominees. Further for incorporating an LLP, of the total number no. of partners, atleast two shall be Designated Partners, of which atleast one must be an Indian Resident.
Parameters for deciding the Partners and Designated Partners:
Atleast Two Partners; Individuals or Body Corporate through individual nominees.
Minimum of Two Individuals as Designated Partners, of total no. of Partners.
Atleast One Designated Partner to be Resident Indian.
A person ‘Resident in India’ means a person who has stayed in India for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty two days during the immediately preceding one year. (Explanation to Section-7())
‘Designated Partner’ means a partner who is designated as such in the incorporation documents or who become a designated partner by and in accordance with the Limited Liability Partnership Agreement.
Step II Obtaining DPIN No. & Digital Signature
Designated Partner Identification Number (DPIN): Section 7 (6) of LLP Act 2008, provides that every Designated Partner to obtain a DPIN from the Central Government.
DPIN is an eight digit numeric number allotted by the Central Government in order to identify a particular partner and can be obtained by making an online application in eForm 7 to Central Government and submitting the physical application along with necessary identity and Address proof of the person applying with prescribed fees.
Digital Signature Certificate: As all the documents and forms required for incorporating an LLP in India to be filed electronically and under the signatures of Designated Partners, thus atleast one Designated Partner to obtain the digital signature certificates from government recognized DSA’s. The signatures shall also be required for signing and filing of all relevant forms and documents to be filed, annually or event based after incorporation of the LLP, asking for approvals or as intimation.
Likewise the manual signatures, digital signature certificates are individual specific and no partner needs to obtain more than one.

Step III Checking the Name Availability
The next step is to decide the name for the proposed LLP to be incorporated, anyone intending to incorporate an LLP has to evaluate his proposed name under the prescribed parameters and make an application in Form 1of Rule 18(5) of the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008, for reservation of the desired name.
The name of the limited liability partnership shall not be similar or identical with Company or LLP already registered in India and it should not contains words prohibited under the ‘Emblems and Names (Prevention of improper use) Act, 1950’or which are also not ‘Undesirable’ in the opinion of Central Government or which satisfies the conditions prescribed under rule 18(2). For more information check Name Availability Guidelines.
In case any Body Corporate is partner, copy of Board resolution authorizing the incorporation of LLP shall be attached
Undesirable Names- Connote
If in the opinion of the department, the name by which a Company is registered gives so misleading an indication of the nature of its activities as to be likely to cause harm to the public, the department may direct it to change its name. A Company registered under the Companies Act, is not entitled to carry on its business in such a way or under such a name, as to represent that its business is the business of any other company or firm or person; and the absence of fraud is immaterial. In such cases, the old company or firm can apply to the court for an injunction, and in such cases the principles that apply to individuals trading under identical or similar names would become applicable.

Step IV Drafting of LLP Agreement
The next pertinent step is drafting of Limited Liability Partnership Agreement governing the mutual rights and duties among the partners and among the LLP and its partners.

The basic contents of Agreement are:
Name of LLP
Name of Partners & Designated Partners
Form of contribution
Profit Sharing ratio
Rights & Duties of Partners
Proposed Business
Rules for governing the LLP
In case no agreement is entered into, the rights & duties as prescribed under Schedule I to the LLP Act shall be applicable
It is not necessary to have the LLP Agreement signed at the time of incorporation, as the details of the same needs to field in eform 3 within 30 days of incorporation but in order to avoid any dispute between the partners as to the terms & conditions of the agreement after the formation of LLP, it is always beneficial to have the LLP Agreement drafted and executed before the incorporation of the LLP.
In case the Agreement is executed outside India, than it must be notarized and consularized, for more information check “Incorporation of LLP” under FAQ’s
Step V Filing of Incorporation Documents
Next is the filing of Incorporation documents, consent of Partners and declaration electronically through the medium of e-forms prescribed with the Registrar of LLP for incorporation of the LLP on payment of prescribed fees based on the total monetary value of contribution of partners in the proposed LLP.
Documents Required
eForm 1-Name Availability Application
eForm 2-Incorporation Document
eForm 3- Details of LLP Agreement
eForm 4-Consent of Partners
eForm 7-Application for Designated Partners Identification Number
Subscription Sheet
LLP Agreement duly stamped as per relevant Stamp Act of the State.
Proof of Address of Registered Office
Consent of Partners and Designated Partners


eForm 2: Incorporation Document
This is an informative document setting down the details of LLP, its Partners including designated partners along with their amount of contribution and consent for forming a Limited Liability Partnership to carry on a lawful business with profit motive along with declaration stating that all the requirements of Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 regarding incorporation of LLP in India have been complied with.
eForm 3: Details of LLP Agreement
This form provides for the necessary information in respect to the LLP Agreement entered into between the partners.
eForm 4: Consent of Partners Consent of each partner to become a partner of Limited Liability Partnership along with their address and identity proof to be filed with the Registrar of Companies.
Subscription Sheet: Just like in case of Company formation, the partners are required to subscribe their names along with signatures to the subscription sheet, which shall be witnessed by any chartered Accountant/Company Secretary/Advocate in practice.
In case the subscription sheet is executed outside India, than it must be notarized and consularized, for more information check “Incorporation of LLP” under FAQ’s
eForm 3 & 4 are required to filed within 30 days of the incorporation.
All the eforms will be digitally signed by any Designated partner and shall be certified by an advocate/company secretary/chartered accountant/cost accountant in practice engaged in the formation of LLP.
Key Points:
Filling will be done on http://www.llp.gov.in/
with All the Designated Partners need to be register as Business User.
Digital Signature is required only for the Designated Partner who would be signing all the e Forms.

Step VI Certificate of Incorporation
After the Registrar is satisfied that all the formalities with respect to the incorporation has been complied , he will issue a Certificate of Incorporation as to formation of the LLP within maximum of 14 days from date of filing of documents . The Certificate of Incorporation issued shall be the conclusive evidence of formation of the LLP.