If you’re running an office, shop, salon, clinic, warehouse, cafe, agency, or even a small service setup with employees, you’ve probably heard someone call it “Shop Act” registration.
This certificate matters more than people think. It’s often asked for while opening a current account, during vendor onboarding, while applying for certain licenses, and sometimes as a proof of business existence for local compliances.
The catch is simple. There is no single Pan-India Shops & Establishments registration law. It’s state-based. That means the process looks similar everywhere, but the portal, forms, timelines, and rules change depending on where your establishment is located.
This guide keeps it practical. You’ll learn the common rules that apply almost everywhere, then you’ll see how to file online using state portals, including the most common regions many businesses ask for like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (Noida), and Haryana (Gurugram).
If you want BizSetups to handle the filing end-to-end, we support businesses across India.
📍 For quicker coordination, you can also connect with our teams in Noida and Gurugram.
Step 1 – Confirm whether your business actually needs Shop Act registration
In most states, Shops & Establishments registration covers places like offices, commercial establishments, shops, and service businesses, while factories are usually covered under separate laws.
For example, Uttar Pradesh’s approval listing on the National Single Window System specifically notes registration is required for shops and commercial establishments, and excludes establishments registered under the Factories Act.
So if your setup is a normal office, shop, studio, or service unit, assume Shop Act registration will likely be relevant unless your state has a specific exemption for your business type.
Step 2 – Decide which state portal applies to you
Your portal depends on where your premises is located.
If you are in Delhi, you’ll deal with the Delhi Labour Department framework and its Shops & Establishments Act reference pages.
If you are in Haryana (including Gurugram), Haryana Labour has a dedicated shops module and online steps.
If you are in Uttar Pradesh (including Noida), you’ll typically route via the UP system, and UP’s own single window listing shows the registration service under the Labour Department.
This state portal step is important because many people waste time on “generic” websites and then still need to re-apply on the official portal.
Step 3 – Keep the common documents ready
Document lists vary by state, but the core set is usually consistent.
Most states ask for basic identity proof of the owner/employer, address proof of the establishment, and basic employee details. A widely used compliance reference also lists typical documents such as establishment address proof, proprietor ID proof, PAN, employee details, and fee challan where applicable.
The easiest way to avoid back-and-forth is to ensure your address proof and the address you type in the form match cleanly. If you’re on rent, keep the rent agreement and owner permission/NOC ready if your state portal asks for it.
Step 4 – Create login and start the online application
Most states now support fully online application and tracking.
For example, Haryana’s labour portal flow mentions login creation, document submission, fee payment (online/offline), submission, and application tracking with updates on registered mobile/email.
So your practical workflow should be:
Create login → fill establishment details → upload documents → pay fee (if applicable) → submit → track status.
Step 5 – Fill establishment details carefully
This is where applications get delayed.
Your business name, address, nature of business, opening date, and number of employees must be consistent. Don’t treat it as a casual form.
If you’re unsure about the “nature of business” selection, choose the closest category that matches your real activity. Wrong categorization is one of the most common reasons for queries because the inspecting officer tries to match your business type with the correct rule set.
Step 6 – Pay fees and submit
Fees vary by state and by business size, and many portals calculate the fee based on inputs in your form.
For example, UP’s Nivesh Mitra portal listing shows that fee is calculated by the department based on the inputs in the form for registration and renewal.
Haryana’s portal also indicates fee payment is part of the online flow “if required.”
So it’s better to set expectations like this:
Your government fee depends on your state + type of establishment + employee count or category, and it will appear during the application flow.
Step 7 – Download the certificate and save it for banking and onboarding
Once approved, you’ll typically get a registration certificate that you can download from the portal.
Save it in one place along with GST, PAN, Udyam, rent agreement/ownership proof, and your current account documents. This becomes your “business KYC folder” and saves time every time a bank or vendor asks.
State portal notes for high-demand areas
Delhi
Delhi has a dedicated labour department section for the Delhi Shops & Establishments Act and related documents and SOPs.
If you’re in Delhi, always route via the official labour department / Delhi government systems for accuracy.
Haryana including Gurugram
Haryana Labour provides the shops module and also has official service listings pointing to the online process.
It also supports searching registered shops and establishments through the portal.
Uttar Pradesh including Noida
UP registration service is visible through the national single window listing for “Registration under UP Shops and Establishment Act 1962.”
UP’s Nivesh Mitra listing also shows registration and renewal services and mentions a department-calculated fee.
Common mistakes that delay approval
Most delays are boring, not complicated.
People enter the address differently than the proof, upload unclear documents, choose a wrong category, or submit with mismatched owner details. Another common issue is using a mobile/email that nobody checks, and then missing portal queries.
If you want faster approvals, keep one simple habit: fill the form slowly, and make sure every “typed detail” is backed by a clean document.
Get Shop Act registration done without confusion
If you want the registration filed correctly on the right state portal, BizSetups can help with document checklist, correct form filing, and follow-ups until certificate download.
We serve clients across India, and for quicker coordination you can also connect with our teams in Noida and Gurugram.
FAQ
1 What is shops and establishment registration used for
It’s commonly used as proof of business existence for offices/shops/commercial establishments and is often asked for during banking and vendor onboarding.
2 Is shop act registration same in every state
No. Shops & Establishments registration is state-based, so portals and rules vary by location. UP’s registration listing and other state portals show state-specific routes.
3 Where do I apply for shop establishment registration online
You apply on your state labour department portal or state single window portal. Haryana and UP have dedicated online routes shown on their official listings.
4 What documents are usually required
Commonly, address proof of the establishment, ID proof of owner/employer, PAN, and employee details are required, with state-specific additions.
5 Does the fee stay the same for every state
No. Fees vary and can be calculated based on details entered in the form, as shown in UP’s service listing, and some states include fee payment step “if required.”
6 Can I register if I have an office in Noida or Gurugram
Yes, but you must use the correct state portal route for Uttar Pradesh (Noida) or Haryana (Gurugram).
