LLP Form 4 Filing
LLP form 4 filing is required within 30 days if there is change in partners or designated partners whether someone is joining, leaving, or simply updating their name, address, or designation
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LLP Form 4 is the official government form that every Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) registered in India must file with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) whenever there is a change in its partners or designated partners whether someone is joining, leaving, or simply updating their name, address, or designation. Filed on the MCA V3 portal within 30 days of any such event, Form 4 keeps your LLP’s public records accurate and legally valid. Miss the deadline and penalties start accumulating. This guide explains everything you need to know about LLP Form 4 filing: what triggers it, the exact documents you need, step-by-step filing instructions on the MCA portal, the current fee structure, how it differs from Form 3, and the real cost of ignoring it.
What Is LLP Form 4 and Why Does It Matter?
If you run a Limited Liability Partnership in India, you already know that partners are the backbone of the business. But what happens when a partner joins, resigns, changes their address, or switches from being a regular partner to a designated partner? The government needs to know and that is exactly what LLP Form 4 is for.
LLP Form 4, formally titled “Notice for Change in Information of Partners/Designated Partners,” is a statutory e-form filed under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. It acts as an official notification to the Registrar of Companies (ROC), keeping the MCA’s public registry updated with the current status of your LLP’s partners.
The form is not just a paperwork formality. Banks use MCA data to verify a business before approving loans. Investors check it for due diligence. Government agencies rely on it for compliance tracking. Accurate partner records are essential for your LLP’s credibility and financial health.
Key fact: The MCA’s public database is the first stop for any bank, investor, or client who wants to verify your LLP’s structure. Out-of-date partner records can directly cost you business opportunities.
When Do You Need to File LLP Form 4?
Form 4 is an event-based filing – meaning you do not file it annually, but only when specific changes happen. The LLP Act and MCA guidelines are very clear about the trigger events. You must file Form 4 within 30 days of any of the following:
- Appointment of a new partner or designated partner
- Cessation (resignation or removal) of an existing partner or designated partner
- Change in the name of a partner or designated partner
- Change in the residential or business address of a partner
- Change in designation – for example, a regular partner becoming a designated partner
- Change in the nominee of a body corporate that acts as a partner
- Change in the DPIN (Designated Partner Identification Number) details
Every partner has an obligation to inform the LLP about any personal changes such as a new address within 15 days. The LLP then has 30 days from that notification to file Form 4 with the ROC. Together, that is effectively a 45 day window from the change event, but the safer approach is to file immediately.
Important: If the number of designated partners falls below two as a result of a cessation, you must appoint a replacement within 6 months. Until then, the MCA portal may block other filings.
Form 4 vs Form 3: Understanding the Difference
One of the most common points of confusion among LLP owners and even some accountants is the difference between Form 3 and Form 4. Let’s clear that up once and for all.
Feature | Form 3 (LLP Agreement) | Form 4 (Partner Changes) |
Purpose | Files the LLP Agreement (rights, duties, profit sharing) | Notifies ROC of changes in partners or their details |
When Filed | Once at incorporation; again whenever the agreement changes | Every time a partner change event occurs |
What It Covers | Capital contributions, management structure, dispute resolution | Appointment, cessation, name/address/designation changes |
Filed Together? | Sometimes – when a new partner joins and the agreement changes | Sometimes – linked with Form 3 for appointment/cessation events |
Stand-Alone Filing? | Yes – when agreement is amended without partner changes | Yes – for simple detail updates like address or designation changes |
In practice, if a partner joins your LLP and the LLP Agreement needs updating to reflect their profit share and capital contribution, you will file both Form 3 and Form 4 as linked forms. If only an existing partner’s address changes, you file Form 4 alone.
How to File LLP Form 4 on the MCA V3 Portal: Step-by-Step
Since the Ministry of Corporate Affairs migrated to the MCA V3 platform, LLP Form 4 is now a fully web-based form – there is no downloadable PDF version. Here is exactly how the process works:
Step 1 – Complete Your Internal Documentation
Before you even open a browser, make sure your LLP has completed all required internal processes. This means passing an internal resolution approving the change, obtaining consent letters from new partners, and collecting resignation letters if a partner is leaving. New partners must already have a DPIN (Designated Partner Identification Number) registered with the MCA.
Step 2 – Log In to the MCA V3 Portal
Go to mca.gov.in and log in using your registered user ID and password. The designated partner filing the form (or their authorised professional) must have a valid MCA account with a linked Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Navigate to: MCA Services → LLP e-Filing → Form 4: Notice for Change in Information of Partners/Designated Partners.
Step 3 – Fill the Web-Based Form
Enter the LLPIN (LLP Identification Number) and the system will auto-fill basic details like the LLP name, registered address, and email. Then select the type of change – appointment, cessation, name/address change, or designation change. Enter the DPIN of the relevant partner(s). If more than 200 partners are affected, you will need to file Form 4A (Addendum) alongside Form 4.
Step 4 – Attach Required Documents and Digital Signatures
Upload all mandatory attachments (see the next section for the full list). Then affix the digital signature of a designated partner. A practicing professional – a Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), or Cost Accountant (CMA) – must also certify and digitally sign the form. Note: the person signing for a cessation filing must be different from the person who is ceasing.
Step 5 – Pay the Fee and Download Acknowledgement
After the DSC signed PDF is uploaded, pay the government fee online. Be aware of the SRN (Service Request Number) expiry rules: if the DSC signed PDF is not uploaded within 15 days of SRN generation, or payment is not completed within 7 days of successful upload (or due date + 2 days, whichever is earlier), the SRN will be cancelled and you will need to start over. Download the paid challan and acknowledgement receipt for your records.
Pro tip: Always keep a copy of your SRN and the payment receipt. The MCA portal acknowledgement is your proof of compliance – you will need it if the ROC ever queries your partner details.
LLP Form 4 Documents Required: The Complete Checklist
The specific attachments depend on the type of change, but here is a comprehensive list of what you may need:
For Appointment of a New Partner
Consent letter from the incoming partner (signed and dated)
Copy of DPIN allotment letter or DPIN details
Identity proof of the new partner (PAN card copy)
Address proof (Aadhaar card, passport, or utility bill)
Resolution of the LLP approving the appointment
If the incoming partner is a body corporate: a resolution of that corporate entity and authorization for the nominee
For Cessation of a Partner
Resignation letter from the outgoing partner
LLP resolution accepting the resignation
Any settlement or no-objection certificate, if applicable
For Change in Name or Address
Supporting proof of the new name or new address (government-issued document)
Partner’s self-declaration confirming the change
For Designation Change
Board/partner resolution approving the change in designation
Updated DPIN confirmation if relevant
All documents must be scanned and uploaded as PDFs. The total file size for attachments should stay manageable – split large files if necessary.
LLP Form 4 Filing Fees and Penalty Structure
The government fee for filing LLP Form 4 is relatively modest and is based on the LLP’s total contribution (capital).
Small LLPs/Other than Small LLPs | Fee (Form 4) |
For Small LLPs | ₹50 |
For Other than Small LLPs | ₹150 |
Sl. No. | Period of Delay | Additional Fee for Small LLPs (₹) | Additional Fee for Other than Small LLPs (₹) |
1 | Up to 15 days | 1 time of normal filing fees | 1 time of normal filing fees |
2 | More than 15 days and up to 30 days | 2 times of normal filing fees | 4 times of normal filing fees |
3 | More than 30 days and up to 60 days | 4 times of normal filing fees | 8 times of normal filing fees |
4 | More than 60 days and up to 90 days | 6 times of normal filing fees | 12 times of normal filing fees |
5 | More than 90 days and up to 180 days | 10 times of normal filing fees | 20 times of normal filing fees |
6 | More than 180 days and up to 360 days | 15 times of normal filing fees | 30 times of normal filing fees |
7 | Beyond 360 days | 25 times of normal filing fees | 50 times of normal filing fees |
Example for a Small LLP with a 1-year delay (more than 360 days):
Assume the normal filing fee is ₹50. Since the delay is beyond 360 days, the additional fee becomes 25 times the normal filing fee.
So the calculation will be:
Normal filing fee: ₹50
Additional fee: 25 × ₹50 = ₹1,250
Total fee payable = ₹50 + ₹1,250 = ₹1,300.
This means the LLP will have to pay ₹1,300 in total when filing after a delay of about 1 year.
Common Mistakes When Filing LLP Form 4 and How to Avoid Them
After working with hundreds of LLPs on compliance matters, I can tell you that the same mistakes come up again and again. Here are the ones that cause the most headaches:
1. Waiting Too Long to File
The 30-day clock starts on the day the change happens – not the day you get around to thinking about it. Most delays happen because the designated partner assumes someone else is handling it, or because the professional is not informed promptly. Set a compliance calendar reminder the moment a change occurs.
2. Signing the Wrong Person for Cessation Forms
This one trips up even experienced filers. When filing for the cessation of a partner, the designated partner who signs the form must be a different person from the one who is ceasing. If only one designated partner exists, you have a bigger problem – you need to resolve the minimum partner requirement first.
3. Forgetting to File Form 3 When Required
Many LLPs file Form 4 for a new partner appointment but forget to file the linked Form 3 to update the LLP Agreement. If the incoming partner is contributing capital or taking on specific rights and duties, the LLP Agreement must be amended and filed. Filing Form 4 without the linked Form 3 in such cases leaves your compliance incomplete.
4. Letting the SRN Expire
Once you generate an SRN on the MCA portal, you have 15 days to upload the DSC-signed PDF and 7 days after that to pay. If you miss either window, the SRN is cancelled and you have to start again – adding unnecessary delays and potentially pushing you into the late-fee bracket.
5. Missing the DPIN Requirement
A new designated partner must have a valid DPIN before you can file Form 4 for their appointment. The DPIN application must be approved by the MCA before the form can be completed. Factor in the time for DPIN approval when planning your 30-day compliance window.
Why Timely LLP Form 4 Filing Is Critical for Your Business
Beyond avoiding penalties, staying current with Form 4 filings has tangible business benefits that are often overlooked:
- Bank and loan approvals: Lenders verify your LLP’s partner structure through MCA records. Outdated or inaccurate data can delay or derail loan applications.
- Investor due diligence: Any serious investor or business acquirer will check MCA records. Discrepancies raise red flags and can kill deals.
- Annual return access: If Form 4 is pending, the MCA portal may block submission of Form 11 (Annual Return), triggering a cascading non-compliance.
- Business contracts: Some government tenders and contracts require certified MCA data matching the actual LLP structure.
- Conversion and exits: If you ever want to convert your LLP into a private limited company or strike it off, all ROC filings must be up to date.
Special Rules for Designated Partners
Designated Partners (DPs) carry greater responsibility than regular partners and face stricter compliance obligations. Here is what you need to know specifically about DPs in the context of Form 4:
- Every LLP must have at least 2 designated partners at all times. If a cessation brings you below two, you have 6 months to appoint a replacement, after which other LLP filings may be blocked.
- At least 1 designated partner must be a resident of India – defined as someone who has stayed in India for not less than 182 days during the immediately preceding financial year.
- Every designated partner must have a DPIN. If they also hold a Director Identification Number (DIN) from a company, the same number is accepted as a DPIN.
- The designated partner is personally responsible for all LLP filings and penalties. This is different from regular partners, who have no personal liability beyond their capital contribution.
MCA V3 Portal: What's Changed and What It Means for You
The MCA completed its migration from the V2 portal to the new MCA V3 platform through 2024 and 2025. During the transition period (June–July 2025), the MCA waived late fees for 13 key e-forms that were unavailable during the system upgrade. This included temporary relief for LLPs that could not file due to portal downtime.
As of 2026, the V3 portal is fully operational and all LLP Form 4 filings must be completed there. Key changes professionals and LLP owners should note:
- Form 4 is now entirely web-based – no offline download available.
- DSC must be registered and linked to your MCA V3 account before filing.
- The new portal has improved validation that catches errors before submission, reducing rejection rates.
- Excel upload functionality is available for forms with many partner entries.
- Fee payment is integrated directly into the form submission flow.
Final Thoughts
LLP Form 4 filing is not something you should be scrambling to figure out when a change occurs. It should be part of your standard operating procedure for any partner related event in your LLP. The 30 day window sounds generous until you factor in gathering documents, coordinating DSCs, and getting a professional to certify the form.
The good news is that the actual filing, once you understand the process, is straightforward. Government fees are low. The MCA V3 portal, after a rocky transition period, is now more user-friendly than before. And with professional help from a CA, even complex partner changes can be handled smoothly within the compliance window.
The bottom line: file on time, every time. Staying compliant is always cheaper, faster, and less stressful than fixing non-compliance.
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