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Hisho & Kanri
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Society Registration

Give your community's mission a legal identity.

Society registration is the legal process of formally constituting a group of individuals — under the Societies Registration Act — for a charitable, literary, scientific, educational, or other public-spirited purpose. It turns "a group of like-minded people" into a recognised entity that can own property, open a bank account, receive donations and grants, and enter into contracts in its own name.

Done right, it gives your governing body a durable legal structure, opens the door to tax exemptions and CSR funding, and builds instant credibility with donors and government bodies. Done late or done wrong, it can mean rejected applications, delayed grants, or disputes among members — which is why most founding committees bring in a registration specialist rather than filing on their own.

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Registrar of Societies
Certificate of Registration
This is to certify that the society is duly registered under the Societies Registration Act
Entity TypeRegistered Society
JurisdictionIndia
StatusActive
Filed ByHisho & Kanri
How Your Filing Moves
MOA & Rules Drafted Objects and bye-laws finalised
Filed with Registrar Application submitted for review
Verification Documents checked, queries resolved
Certificate Issued Society is now a legal entity
Understanding the Basics

What exactly is a "Society"?

Before comparing structures or documents, it helps to understand what registration actually creates — a distinct, recognised body formed by people, for a shared purpose.

A society is a voluntary association of seven or more individuals who come together, adopt a Memorandum of Association and a set of rules, and register with the appropriate Registrar of Societies for a literary, scientific, charitable, or other publicly beneficial object. Once registered, the society exists as its own legal "person" — separate from the individuals who founded it.

Unlike an informal club or committee, a registered society can hold property, sign agreements, open bank accounts, sue and be sued, and continue to exist even as its members and office-bearers change over time. Its affairs are run democratically by an elected governing body that is accountable to the general membership at an annual general meeting.

Membership-based — governed by people, for people, with an elected body accountable to them
Purpose-driven — objects must be lawful and typically non-profit in nature
Independently governed — continues beyond any one founder or office-bearer
Categories

Which type of society matches your purpose?

Societies are grouped by the objective they serve. Here's the full range of societies we help register, at a glance.

Charitable Society

Formed to provide relief to the poor, support underprivileged communities, or advance charitable causes — the most common category for NGOs and welfare groups.

Most Popular

Educational Society

Set up to establish and run schools, colleges, coaching centres, or scholarship programmes for the promotion of learning.

Religious Society

Registered to manage places of worship and administer the religious or spiritual activities of a community.

Literary & Scientific Society

Created to diffuse useful knowledge, encourage research, or maintain libraries, museums, and public reading rooms.

Cultural & Sports Society

Promotes fine arts, music, and drama, or organises sporting activities and tournaments within a community.

Medical & Public Health Society

Focused on healthcare awareness, medical camps, and public-health initiatives for the benefit of the general public.

Mutual Benefit Society

Works for the collective welfare of its own members — trade bodies, alumni associations, and professional guilds are common examples.

Resident Welfare Society

Represents residents of an apartment complex or locality, managing shared civic amenities and local welfare matters.

The Process

From founding meeting to certificate, in eight steps

Here's exactly what happens between deciding to register your society and holding a Certificate of Registration in hand.

1

Choose a Name & Define Objects

We help you finalise a unique society name and clearly draft its objects — charitable, literary, scientific, or social — so they align with the governing Act.

2

Draft the Memorandum of Association

The MOA lists your society's objects and the names, addresses, and occupations of the governing body's first members — the legal backbone of the application.

3

Draft Rules & Regulations

Internal bye-laws covering membership, meetings, elections, and fund management are prepared to govern how the society operates day to day.

4

Gather Member & Address Documents

Identity proof, address proof, and photographs are collected from all founding members, along with proof for the registered office.

5

Governing Body Formation

The first governing body — typically a President, Secretary, and Treasurer along with other members — is formally constituted and documented.

6

Filing with the Registrar of Societies

The signed MOA, rules, and supporting documents are filed with the relevant Registrar of Societies along with the prescribed fee.

7

Certificate of Registration

Once the registrar verifies the application, your society receives its Certificate of Registration — legal proof that it now exists as an entity.

8

PAN, TAN & Bank Account Opening

We help you obtain PAN and TAN for the society and open a dedicated bank account so it can start receiving donations and grants.

Eligibility

Who can register a society?

Requirements vary slightly by state and country, but most society registrations share the same baseline criteria.

Minimum Founding Members

Most jurisdictions require a minimum number of founding members — often seven or more — each above the age of 18.

Registered Office Address

A valid address where the society's records are maintained and official correspondence can be received.

Valid Identity Proof

Government-issued ID for every member of the governing body, along with recent photographs.

Unique Society Name

A proposed name that isn't identical or deceptively similar to any existing society, trust, or registered trademark.

No Prior Disqualification

Members must not be disqualified due to past fraud, insolvency, or non-compliance with a registrar's directions.

Lawful, Non-Profit Objective

Objects must be charitable, literary, scientific, or otherwise for public benefit — profit distribution to members isn't permitted.

Paperwork

Documents you'll need to keep handy

Gathering these upfront is the single biggest thing your founding committee can do to speed up registration.

PAN Card

Of all governing body members

Aadhaar / ID Proof

For identity verification

Passport

If applicable, for foreign members

Address Proof

Bank statement or utility bill

Photograph

Recent passport-size photo of each member

Registered Office Proof

Rent agreement or title deed

NOC from Owner

If office premises are rented

MOA & Rules

Draft copies signed by all founding members

Speak the Language

Key terms you'll come across

Registration paperwork comes with its own vocabulary. Here's a quick, plain-language glossary so nothing on your application catches you off guard.

Memorandum of Association (MOA)

The foundational document stating the society's name, objects, registered office, and the names of its first governing body members.

Rules & Regulations (Bye-Laws)

The internal rulebook covering membership criteria, meeting procedures, elections, and how funds are managed.

Governing Body

The elected office-bearers — typically a President, Secretary, and Treasurer — who manage the society on members' behalf.

Registrar of Societies

The government authority responsible for registering societies and maintaining their statutory records.

12A & 80G Registration

Separate income-tax approvals — 12A exempts the society's own income, while 80G lets donors claim a tax deduction on their contributions.

FCRA Registration

Approval required under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act before a society can legally receive donations from foreign sources.

Not Sure Which Fits?

Society vs. Trust vs. Section 8 Company

All three can pursue a charitable or social mission, but they're governed very differently. Here's how they stack up side by side.

Basis Society Trust Section 8 Company
Governing Law Societies Registration Act Indian Trusts Act / state Trust Acts Companies Act
Minimum People 7 or more members 2 trustees (typically) 2 directors / shareholders
Governance Style Elected, democratic governing body Trustees, often self-perpetuating Board of Directors
Best Suited For Clubs, associations, welfare bodies Family or charitable endowments Larger NGOs seeking a corporate structure
Annual Compliance Moderate Low High
Why It's Worth It

What registration actually buys your society

Beyond the legal formality, registration changes what your society can do and how it's perceived by donors, government bodies, and partners.

Separate Legal Identity

The society can own property, open bank accounts, and contract in its own name

Perpetual Succession

The society continues regardless of changes in its governing body

Access to Grants & CSR

Registered societies qualify for government grants and CSR funding

Tax Exemptions

Eligible to apply for 12A and 80G income-tax exemptions

Enhanced Credibility

Donors and government bodies trust a registered society faster

Property Ownership

The society can acquire and hold property in its own name

Dedicated Bank Account

Manage donations, grants, and expenses with full transparency

Pathway to FCRA

A registered society can later apply to receive foreign contributions

After Registration

Staying compliant, year after year

Registration is the start, not the finish — here's what keeps your society in good standing afterward.

Annual General Meeting

At least one general body meeting held each year, as prescribed in the society's bye-laws.

Filing List of Governing Body

An updated list of governing body members filed annually with the Registrar of Societies.

Income Tax Return

Annual filing of the society's income tax return, even where income is largely exempt.

Books of Accounts

Accurate records of income, donations, and expenditure maintained through the year.

Statutory Audit

Accounts audited by a qualified auditor where required by the bye-laws or applicable law.

FCRA Compliance

Additional returns and record-keeping for societies receiving foreign contributions.

Why Hisho & Kanri

Registration handled by people who do this daily

We've filed enough society and NGO registrations across India, Singapore, and Malaysia to know exactly where things usually go wrong — and how to avoid it.

NGO & Society Specialists

Legal consultants who register societies and NGOs regularly across multiple jurisdictions.

Fast Processing

Applications reviewed and filed promptly, without unnecessary back-and-forth.

Transparent Pricing

Clear packages with no hidden government-fee surprises.

Full Visibility

You track every filing and status update, not just a final certificate.

Dedicated Support

One point of contact from your first enquiry through registration and beyond.

Confidential Documentation

Member identity and society documents handled under strict confidentiality.

FAQ

Common questions about society registration

Can't find your question here? Use the form alongside this page and we'll answer it directly.

It's the legal process of registering a group of individuals as a society under the Societies Registration Act, giving it a distinct identity separate from its members.

Most jurisdictions require a minimum of seven founding members, though the exact number can vary by state or country — our experts confirm this for your case.

Societies are registered under the Societies Registration Act applicable in the relevant country or state, which sets out the filing and compliance framework.

Typically around 15 working days once all documents are in order, though it can vary by state and registrar workload.

Identity and address proof of members, photographs, the drafted MOA and rules, and office address proof are the core set — see the Documents section above.

Yes, once registered, a society can apply separately for 12A and 80G status to unlock income-tax exemptions and donor tax benefits.

A society is a membership-based body governed by an elected governing body, while a trust is managed by trustees under a trust deed — the right choice depends on how you want your organisation governed.

Yes, subject to a resolution passed by members and approval from the Registrar of Societies, a society's name or objects can be amended.

Annual general meetings, filing the governing body list, income tax returns, bookkeeping, and audits where applicable — see the Compliance section above.

Because we handle NGO and society filings regularly across three countries, keep you informed at every stage, and stay on for compliance long after registration is done.