
What information is legally required on a business letterhead in India?
Registered Business Name
- The full legal name of the business must be printed.
- It should match the name registered with relevant authorities.
- For companies, it must reflect the form such as Pvt Ltd or LLP.
- Trade names used separately must not replace the registered name.
- Name must be clearly visible and not abbreviated unofficially.
Registered Office Address
- The complete address of the registered office is mandatory.
- It includes street, city, state, PIN code, and country.
- If operating from multiple branches, only the registered office is compulsory.
- Temporary or communication addresses can be added optionally.
- The address must be current and updated upon change.
Corporate Identity and Registration Details
- Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is mandatory for companies.
- CIN must be printed on all official documents, including letterheads.
- PAN and GSTIN are not legally required on letterheads but often included.
- Inclusion of registration numbers (like LLPIN or IEC) depends on the entity type.
- Omission of CIN may attract penalties from regulatory bodies.
Director or Authorized Signatory Information
- Names of directors are required for private limited companies.
- At least one director’s name must be mentioned when signing.
- Designation of the person signing the letter should be included.
- Partnerships often include names of all partners on the letterhead.
- Sole proprietors must ensure the business owner’s name appears clearly.
Contact and Communication Details
- While not legally mandated, phone numbers and email IDs are usually present.
- Websites and fax numbers are included to support communication.
- Proper formatting and readability are ensured for professionalism.
- These details help recipients verify the source and initiate contact.
- Their inclusion supports transparency in business correspondence.