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0 of 7 doneTrust registration is the most common way small charities in India start. You write a trust deed, sign it and get it registered so the trust has a legal record. Please note: Darpan Portal Guide is an independent guide and not a government website. Registration happens at your local sub-registrar office or, in some states, with the Charity Commissioner.
What a charitable trust is
A trust is an arrangement where one person, the settlor (author of the trust), hands property to trustees to hold and use for a purpose. In a charitable trust, the purpose helps the public: education, health, relief of poverty, environment and similar work. Many NGO founders call it an "NGO trust". The legal name is simply a public charitable trust.
There is no single all-India law that registers charitable trusts. The Indian Trusts Act is about private trusts, and it says it does not apply to public or private religious or charitable endowments. So charitable trust registration happens in one of two ways:
- Deed registration: the trust deed is registered with the sub-registrar under the Registration Act. This is the route in most states.
- Public trust law: some states have their own law for public trusts. In Maharashtra, for example, the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act asks the trustee to apply to the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner within three months of the trust being created. A few other states have similar laws.
Not sure if a trust suits you better than a society or company? Read trust vs society vs section 8 first.
Trust deed contents
The deed is the trust's rule book. A weak deed causes trouble later with banks, the Income Tax Department and Darpan. Cover at least these points.
| Clause | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name and office | Name of the trust and full address of its registered office |
| Settlor | Name, address and ID details of the person creating the trust |
| Trustees | Names of first trustees, how new ones are appointed, how one resigns or is removed |
| Objects | Clear charitable purposes. Avoid vague words like "any lawful work" |
| Trust property | The initial amount or property given by the settlor (the corpus) |
| Powers of trustees | Opening bank accounts, receiving donations, buying property, hiring staff |
| Meetings and decisions | Quorum, voting, who signs cheques |
| Accounts and audit | Financial year, books to keep, yearly audit |
| No private benefit | Income and property used only for the objects, not shared among trustees |
| Amendment | How the deed can be changed without touching the charitable objects |
| Dissolution | Remaining assets go to another charity with similar objects |
Income tax registration under 12A and 80G looks closely at the objects, the no private benefit clause and the dissolution clause, so draft them with care. See 12A and 80G registration.
Trust deed registration with the sub-registrar
The trust registration process, and the registration of trust deeds in general, is run by the state stamps and registration department. Each state has its own stamp duty rules, appointment system and forms. In general, the deed is printed on stamp paper or e-stamped, the settlor and witnesses sign before the sub-registrar, photos and thumb impressions are taken, and the office returns the registered deed with a document number.
When a trust holds immovable property, the Indian Trusts Act requires the trust to be declared by a signed, registered written instrument. The Registration Act also makes registration compulsory for gifts of immovable property. Even when your trust starts with only money, registering the deed gives you the proof banks and Darpan ask for.
Some states let you prepare the document and book a slot online. That is where most "trust registration online" searches end. The signing still happens in person in most states, so check your state's registration department site.
Documents required for trust registration
- The trust deed, on stamp paper or e-stamp as your state requires
- Photo ID of the settlor, each trustee and the witnesses. Registration offices commonly accept Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, passport or driving licence
- PAN of the settlor and trustees
- Passport size photos of those who sign
- Proof of the registered office address: rent agreement or ownership paper, with an NOC from the owner
- Any extra forms or declarations your state's registration office asks for
How to check trust registration number details
The registration number is on the registered deed or on the Charity Commissioner's certificate. To check a trust registration number for some other trust:
- Search the trust on NGO Darpan search. Registered NGOs on Darpan show their registration number and type.
- In states with a public trust law, the Charity Commissioner keeps a register of public trusts. Some states let you search it online.
- For a deed registered at a sub-registrar, ask that office for a certified copy. Some state registration portals also let you search registered documents.
Trust registration online check tools run by private websites are not official records. Rely on the registering office.
Trust registration certificate download
For most trusts, the "certificate" is the registered deed itself, with the sub-registrar's stamp and number. If you lost it, ask the same office for a certified copy. In public trust law states, the Charity Commissioner's office issues the certificate; check its site for any download facility. Your Darpan certificate is a separate thing. See Darpan certificate download.
Public trust and private trust, in broad terms
A private trust benefits named people, such as family members. The Indian Trusts Act covers it. A public trust benefits the public or a large class of people, such as poor students in a district. An NGO is always a public trust. Temple trust registration and religious trust registration follow the same deed route, but some states have separate religious endowment laws, so check with your state department first.
Trust registration fees and time
We do not list amounts. Trust registration fees are mainly the state stamp duty on the deed plus the registration fee. Stamp duty may depend on the value of property given to the trust. Your state registration department publishes the current rates. Time depends mostly on drafting the deed and getting a slot. Where a Charity Commissioner inquiry applies, that adds its own time.
After trust registration
Apply for PAN in the trust's name, open a bank account, then register on NGO Darpan. Darpan accepts trusts with fewer office bearers than societies, but still asks for details of key members. Then apply for 12A and 80G. If you need help choosing among forms, see NGO registration.
Common questions
In most states, yes. The registered trust deed with the sub-registrar's endorsement is the proof of registration. In states with a public trust law, the Charity Commissioner issues a separate certificate after inquiry.
The Indian Trusts Act does not fix a large number. A trust needs a settlor and trustees. In practice, keep at least two trustees, because Darpan and banks expect more than one office bearer, and check your state's practice.
Some states allow online document preparation, e-stamping and slot booking. The settlor and witnesses usually still sign in person at the sub-registrar. Check your state registration department site for its current process.
It adds a register kept by the Charity Commissioner, reports of changes and yearly accounts to that office. In Maharashtra, for example, changes must be reported within 90 days. Your state law sets the exact duties.
No. Trust registration creates the trust legally. Darpan only lists it and gives a Unique ID. See the Darpan ID page.
Many temple trusts register a deed in the same way. Some states have separate laws or departments for religious endowments, which may apply instead. Check with your state registration or endowments department.