WHAT IS SOCIETY REGISTRATION?

A society is an union of several individuals coming together by a mutual consent to deliberate, govern and act cooperatively for everyday purpose. Societies are usually registered to promote charitable activities like sports, music, culture, religion, art, education, health, environment etc. In India, under the Societies Act, 186 societies are registered, which lays down certain procedures for the sake of society registration & operation. Several state governments have enforced the society registration act, 1860 with or without further amendments.

Who can apply for the Society Registration

Seven or more persons can form a Society. Individuals, companies, foreigners, as well as other registered societies can also register for the Memorandum of association of the society in India. However, only the registered society will face the property unanimously or file an assembly against the society. The registration of the society is maintained by the state governments. The applications for society registration should be made to the specific authority of the state where the registered office of the society is located.

Purpose of Society Registration

A registration of the society can be for the purpose of welfare of the community by with the help of development of fine arts, science, or literature or charitable purposes of political education. As per section 20 of the Societies Act, 1860, a society registration can be done for the following purposes:
Promotion of Fine Arts
Diffusion of Political Education
Grant of Charitable Assistance
Promotion of Science and Literature
Creation of Military Orphan Funds
Maintenance or Foundation of Galleries or Public Museum
Maintenance or Foundation of Reading Rooms or Libraries
Promotion or Diffusion or Instruction of helpful knowledge .

SOCIETY REGISTRATION PROCESS IN INDIA

STEP 1 : Selection of an Unique Name

To register a Society first applicant has to select an appropriate name for your society. While choosing a name the applicant must be extra careful to not to use similar or identical names with those that are already in existence. Notably, the proposed name must not suggest any kind of funding by the government of India or any State government or it should not be under the restricted list of names as per the provisions of Emblems and Names Act, 1950.

STEP 2 : MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

To register a Society, the Memorandum of Association has to be signed along with Rules & Regulations of society. Every established member, witnessed by Gazetted Officer, Notary Public, Chartered Accountant, Oath Commissioner, Advocate, Magistrate first-class or Chartered Accountant has to sign the Memorandum along with their official stamping and complete address. These documents can be handwritten/typed/printed on plain paper. At least seven persons must distribute various designations among themselves. These members are collectively called the governing body which controls the functioning of the society. All of these members are elected for specific period and can be re-elected through elections in which members of governing body take part. The Memorandum of Association includes several Clauses. These are:
Name Clause
Registered Office Clause
Objectives Clause
General Body Member Clause and List.
Executive Body (Governing Body) members/Office Bearers Clause and List

STEP 3 : Important Documents Required to register a society

Cover Letter requesting registration along with duly signed list of all the members of the governing body has to be given Certified Copy of Duly Passed Resolution for Registration of Society The address of the registered office of the society No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the landlord Minutes of the Meeting. Declaration by the President of the Society declaring the relationship between the subscribers ID proof as Address Proof of members.
Other documents required:
Passport Size Colour Photograph
Copy of PAN card
Address Proof: (any one document)
Telephone Bill
Gas Bill,
Electricity Bill
Bank Statement
Identity Proof: (any one document)
Passport
Voter ID
Driving License
Signed MOA & By Laws
Affidavits from President
Proof of Premises:
Telephone
Electricity
Water Bill
NOC from the owner of premises

STEP 4 : Submission of documents and registration

The Memorandum of Association with the Rules & Regulations and other documents must be submitted to the Registrar of Societies along with the requisite fees in 2 copies. Usually, the State Government charges Rs 50 as fees. On receiving the application, the registrar signs the first copy as an acknowledgement and returns it to the applicant while keeping the second copy for approval. If the Registrar is satisfied with the documentations, terms and conditions of your organization and the documents filed, he would certify to deem the society to be registered. Normally, it takes a month to register a society. On proper vetting of the documents, the registrar will issue an Incorporation Certificate by allotting a registration number to it. With the issuance of the certificate, the process of society registration ends.