GST registration is free, entirely online, and ends with a 15-character GSTIN you can start invoicing with. Here is the whole process — who needs it, what to keep ready, and how long it takes.
First: do you actually need to register?
Registration becomes mandatory when your aggregate turnover in a financial year crosses the threshold:
| Category | Standard threshold | Special category states* |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier of goods | ₹40 lakh | ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in some) |
| Supplier of services | ₹20 lakh | ₹10 lakh |
*Certain North-Eastern and hill states have the lower limits; a few states have opted for different goods thresholds, so confirm your own state’s position.
Some businesses must register regardless of turnover: inter-state suppliers of goods, sellers on e-commerce platforms that collect tax at source, casual taxable persons (exhibition or seasonal sellers), non-resident taxable persons, agents, and anyone liable to pay under reverse charge. And many small B2B suppliers register voluntarily below the threshold, because registered customers prefer vendors whose invoices carry a GSTIN they can claim credit against — a preference you can see in action on our GST verification page.
Documents to keep ready
- PAN of the business or proprietor — the GSTIN is built on it, as the GST number format shows.
- Aadhaar of the proprietor / partners / authorised signatory (Aadhaar authentication speeds up approval significantly).
- Proof of business constitution — partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, or nothing extra for a proprietorship.
- Principal place of business proof — electricity bill, property tax receipt, ownership document, or rent agreement plus the owner’s NOC.
- Bank details — a cancelled cheque or bank statement (can also be furnished after registration).
- Photograph and authorisation — photos of promoters and, for companies/LLPs, board resolution or letter authorising the signatory, plus the signatory’s digital signature where required.
The registration steps
- Generate a TRN. On the official portal (gst.gov.in), start a new registration under “Services → Registration”. Part A takes your PAN, mobile and email, verifies them with OTPs, and issues a Temporary Reference Number.
- Fill Part B. Using the TRN, complete the application: business details, promoters, authorised signatory, principal and additional places of business, goods/services (HSN/SAC codes) and bank details, uploading the documents above.
- Verify and submit. Complete Aadhaar authentication if opting for it, then submit with EVC (OTP) or digital signature. You receive an ARN — the application reference number for tracking.
- Officer processing. The application is either approved, or a query is raised (notice in form REG-03) which you must answer within the allowed time (reply in REG-04).
- GSTIN issued. On approval you get your 15-character GSTIN and can download the registration certificate (REG-06) from the portal. Verify your own new number renders correctly by searching it on the GST Search homepage once it goes live in GSTN records.
How long does it take?
With successful Aadhaar authentication and no queries, approval commonly comes through in about 7 working days. Without Aadhaar authentication — or where the officer orders physical verification of the premises — the process can stretch to 30 days from application. If the officer neither approves nor raises a query within the prescribed period, registration is deemed granted. Registration itself costs nothing on the government portal; professionals may charge for assistance, but there is no government fee.
After you get the GSTIN
Display the registration certificate at your principal place of business and quote the GSTIN on every tax invoice. Registering in more states later? Each state application yields a fresh GSTIN on the same PAN — your customers can see the whole set via GST search by PAN. Start charging GST at the correct slab (the GST calculator handles the CGST/SGST/IGST arithmetic) and file returns on schedule — persistent non-filing is the fastest route to a Suspended status, and you can check where any registration stands with the GST number check.
GST registration FAQs
Is there a fee for GST registration?
No — registration on the official government portal is free. Any fee you pay is for professional assistance, not to the government.
Can I get a GST number without a shop or office?
You still need a principal place of business, but it can be your home — supported by an ownership/utility document or a rent agreement with the owner’s consent. Many service freelancers register from residential addresses.
Should I register voluntarily below the threshold?
If your customers are GST-registered businesses, usually yes: your invoices become creditable to them, which makes you easier to buy from. The trade-off is compliance — once registered, you must charge GST and file returns even if turnover stays small.
How do I track my application status?
Use the ARN issued at submission to track the application on the portal. Once approved, your GSTIN becomes searchable in GSTN records — try it on the GST Search homepage.
What is the composition scheme option during registration?
Small taxpayers under the prescribed turnover limit can opt for the composition levy — a flat, lower tax on turnover with simpler returns, but no input tax credit and no tax collection from customers. A composition taxpayer’s type appears in their GSTIN lookup result, so counterparties can tell.