A private limited company registers for DLT with its own company PAN, its certificate of incorporation or GST certificate as address proof, and a letter of authorisation signed by a director with an ID proof. The steps are the same as for any business: Principal Entity first, then headers, templates and links. Name and address must match across every document.
By Rohit Jadhav. Last reviewed 25 October 2026. This is operational guidance, not legal advice. Documents and fees vary by operator, so confirm them on the portal before you pay.
A company has more paperwork than a sole proprietor, and more people who can get in the way. The director who signs the authorisation letter may be travelling, the registered address may differ from the office, and the company name on the PAN may not match the brand name you use with customers. This guide covers DLT registration for a private limited company: the documents, who signs what, and the mismatches that cause delays. It is part of our main guide to DLT registration in India. For help with the set-up, Nexcomm's bulk SMS service includes registration support. More guides sit under Compliance & Regulations.
What does a private limited company need for DLT registration?
- Identity of the business: the company's PAN card.
- Proof of address: the certificate of incorporation, or a GST registration certificate. Shop and establishment certificates are also accepted in some cases.
- Authorisation: a letter of authorisation on the company letterhead, and an ID proof (Aadhaar or passport) of the authorised signatory.
- If applicable: an MSME certificate or TAN certificate.
The authorised signatory is usually a director or someone the board has authorised in writing. Use someone who can also answer the operator's verification call if one comes.
Which details must match?
The legal name on the PAN, the certificate of incorporation and the letterhead should be identical, down to "Private Limited" or "Pvt. Ltd." as written on the certificate. The registered address on your address proof should match the address you type into the portal. If the brand you want to send under is different from the legal name, you register the legal entity first and the brand as a header later. We explain headers in SMS sender ID.
What are the steps?
- Choose an operator portal (Jio, Airtel, Vi/Vilpower, SmartPing or Tata) and create an account with the company's official email and mobile number.
- Enter the company details exactly as they appear on the documents.
- Upload the documents and the signed authorisation letter.
- Pay the one-time fee. As of 25 October 2026, Nexcomm works with Rs 5,900 including GST on most portals and Rs 3,540 on BSNL. See DLT registration charges.
- Receive the Principal Entity ID. Typically in two to five days after approval.
- Bind your SMS provider and register headers and templates. The sequence is in the main guide.
Who should own the account?
A company login should not belong to one employee's personal email. If that person leaves, you lose access to the portal where your headers and templates live. Use a shared official address, record the credentials in your company's password manager and keep a second authorised contact. This is advice from running registrations, not a rule in the regulation, but losing access to a DLT account is a common and avoidable problem.
How does it differ from a proprietorship?
The process is the same. The documents differ: a proprietorship uses the owner's personal PAN and has no certificate of incorporation. See DLT registration for a proprietorship. How long approvals take is in how long DLT registration takes.
A worked example (hypothetical)
A software company in Bengaluru wants to send OTPs and product notices. This is an invented example. Its PAN shows "Acme Software Private Limited". The certificate of incorporation says the same, but the GST certificate lists "Acme Software Pvt Ltd". The operator returns the application for the mismatch. The company asks its accountant to correct the GST record spelling in the application notes and attaches the certificate of incorporation as the primary address proof. The authorisation letter is signed by a director and carries the company seal. The Principal Entity ID arrives a few days after the corrected submission.
Common mistakes by companies
- Name mismatches across documents. Align them first.
- An authorisation letter without a signature or letterhead. It will be returned.
- A signatory whose ID does not match. Use the same person on every form.
- Registering with a personal email. Use a company address.
- Registering on every portal. Each charges a fee, and one is usually enough.
- Forgetting to bind the SMS provider. Nothing will send.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents does a private limited company need for DLT?
The company PAN, a certificate of incorporation or GST certificate for address, a letter of authorisation on letterhead and an ID proof of the signatory. An MSME or TAN certificate may be needed in some cases.
Who should sign the authorisation letter?
A director or a person authorised in writing by the company. Their ID proof goes with the application, and they should be reachable if the operator verifies the details.
Can the brand name differ from the company name?
Yes. Register the legal entity as the Principal Entity, then register the brand as a header. The header must relate to your business, as we explain in the guide to sender IDs.
How much does registration cost for a company?
The fee does not depend on company type. As of 25 October 2026, Nexcomm works with Rs 5,900 including GST on most operator portals and Rs 3,540 including GST on BSNL.
How long does it take?
Typically two to five days for the Principal Entity ID, and one to three days for a header. Name mismatches and unclear scans are the usual causes of delay.
Sources checked
All checked on 25 October 2026.
- TRAI, consolidated Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (headers and content templates)
- Operator DLT portals: documents, fee and timelines as supplied by Nexcomm's team; confirm on the portal
If you are registering a company for DLT and want to talk through the documents, you can reach our team through the contact page.