Company Registration in Kochi

A company with its registered office in Kochi comes under the Registrar of Companies, Ernakulam, whose jurisdiction covers the whole of Kerala and Lakshadweep; the incorporation itself is processed centrally by the MCA's Central Registration Centre.

What does incorporation cost in government fees and Kerala stamp duty?

What will Kerala stamp duty come to?

Memorandum at ₹1,000 when filed with the articles (Kerala Finance Act, 2015). The articles bands — ₹2,000 up to ₹10 lakh, ₹5,000 up to ₹25 lakh and 0.5% above that — follow the MCA schedule, and no cap is listed, so a Kochi company with a large authorised capital pays in proportion.

Which Kerala registrations follow incorporation?

In Kerala, professional tax is levied half-yearly by the municipality, corporation or panchayat in which the business is located, under the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994 or the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994; a company pays ₹1,250 a half-year, and the employer deducts the tax from salaries in slabs revised from 1 October 2024. Under the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960, the establishment registers through the Labour Commissionerate's online system within 60 days of starting work (section 5A), and renewal is automatic.

GST registration follows once turnover crosses the threshold or a compulsory category under section 24 of the CGST Act applies (GST registration in Kochi); EPF (20 or more employees) and ESIC (10 or more) are applied for through SPICe+.

How is the company incorporated?

Through the MCA's SPICe+ form (INC-32) with the electronic memorandum and articles (INC-33, INC-34) and AGILE-PRO-S (INC-35), which together reserve the name, allot DINs and apply for PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, optional GST and a bank account. Each director gives PAN, Aadhaar or passport, a photograph, address proof and a Class 3 digital signature; foreign subscribers give apostilled documents and, for a company, the parent's board resolution. After incorporation the board appoints the first auditor within 30 days (section 139(6)) and files INC-20A within 180 days (section 10A). An LLP is registered through FiLLiP instead.

What Kochi Founders Usually Ask

IT and services companies

Technology companies incorporating in Kochi follow the same SPICe+ process; those planning to operate from an SEZ apply for unit approval separately after incorporation.

Seafood processors

Seafood processing units incorporate to hold the plant, its food-safety and export registrations and the bank limits in one entity; the export registrations are applied for in the company's name once it is incorporated.

Ayurvedic medicine makers

Makers of ayurvedic medicines incorporate a company to hold the manufacturing licence and the brand, and draft the objects clause to cover manufacture, distribution and export.

About V Viswanathan & Associates

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does company registration take in Kochi?

Usually 3–5 working days once the directors' documents and digital signatures are ready. The MCA's Central Registration Centre processes the SPICe+ filing; delays mostly come from name objections or address proofs that do not match, which we check before filing.

What government fees and stamp duty apply to a Kochi company?

The MCA filing fee is nil for authorised capital up to ₹15 lakh, and name reservation through SPICe+ Part A costs ₹1,000. Kerala stamp duty is ₹1,000 on the memorandum when filed with the articles, and the articles are charged in bands of authorised capital; the MCA portal computes both in the SPICe+ filing.

Which ROC handles a company registered in Kochi?

The Registrar of Companies, Ernakulam, which covers the whole of Kerala and Lakshadweep. Nobody needs to visit the office: name approval, incorporation and later filings are all made online and signed digitally.

Which Kerala registrations follow incorporation?

Professional tax with the local body (half-yearly), registration under the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960 within 60 days of starting work, and GST registration if turnover or a compulsory category requires it.

Can a home or co-working address in Kochi be the registered office?

Yes, with a utility bill for the premises not older than two months and the owner's no-objection letter or the rent, lease or co-working agreement; the address must be able to receive post from the date of incorporation (section 12 of the Companies Act, 2013).

How is professional tax paid in Kochi?

To the local body — the Kochi Municipal Corporation or the panchayat or municipality where the office is — half-yearly, under the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994 or the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. A company pays ₹1,250 a half-year, and employers deduct the tax from salaries.

Can all the directors of a Kochi company live in the Gulf?

No — the Companies Act requires one director who has been in India for at least 182 days during the financial year (section 149(3)); the rest may live abroad and join board meetings by video.

Do you have an office in Kochi?

No. We serve Kochi clients from our office at Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai, Chennai, through video consultations, secure document sharing and digitally signed filings and reports.

Related Services for Kochi Businesses

Law stated as at 27 Oct 2026. Official sources: Companies Act, 2013, LLP Act, 2008 and SPICe+ (MCA), Kerala Stamp Act, 1959, Kerala Municipality and Panchayat Raj Acts, 1994 and Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960 (as amended to Oct 2026). Reviewed by CA V. Viswanathan, FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI Registered Valuer (IBBI/RV/03/2019/12333).