Section 7 minimums
The statutory floor every LLP has to maintain at all times.
- At least two designated partners
- Both must be individuals
- At least one resident in India
- Dropping below either is a breach to be fixed
Add Designated Partner
Add a designated partner - Form 3 and Form 4.
Adding a partner to an LLP is two forms and a supplementary agreement, and both forms are due within thirty days. The step people miss is that the LLP agreement itself has to change, because the agreement, not the register, governs the relationship between partners.
Qualified CA / CS partnersForm 3 and Form 4 within 30 daysBest for: LLPs admitting a new partner or restoring the minimum
Starting at
₹4,999 onwards
Add DP
LLPs admitting a new partner or restoring the minimum
Minimum two designated partners, one resident in India
Form 4 notice of appointment within 30 days
Form 3 for the changed LLP agreement
Supplementary agreement attracts state stamp duty
Timeline
Form 3 and Form 4 within 30 days
What it is
Add DP, explained in plain English.
A partner holds an interest in the LLP under the LLP agreement. A designated partner additionally carries statutory responsibility for compliance under the LLP Act, 2008, and is liable for penalties for default. Section 7 requires every LLP to have at least two designated partners who are individuals, and at least one of them must be resident in India. An LLP that drops below two designated partners, or loses its resident designated partner, is in breach and needs to fix it.
TL;DR
The supplementary LLP agreement attracts stamp duty under the relevant State Stamp Act, generally by reference to the contribution, so a Maharashtra LLP and a West Bengal LLP with identical contributions pay different amounts. An unstamped or under-stamped supplementary agreement is not admissible in evidence, which surfaces exactly when a partner dispute arises.
Key terms
The vocabulary you'll see on the portal.
Designated partner
Carries statutory responsibility for compliance under the LLP Act, 2008, and is liable for penalties for default - unlike an ordinary partner.
DPIN
Designated Partner Identification Number, applied for in Form DIR-3. Existing DIN holders do not need a fresh DPIN.
Form 4
Notice of appointment, filed within thirty days of the appointment with the consent attached, certified by a practising professional.
Form 3
Details of the changed LLP agreement, filed within thirty days of the change. Commonly filed together with Form 4.
Routes & scenarios
Match the situation to the right fix.
The supplementary agreement
The agreement, not the register, governs the relationship between partners. This is the step most often skipped.
- Executed on stamp paper
- Records admission, contribution, profit sharing and rights
- Stamp duty under the relevant State Stamp Act
- Unstamped agreements are not admissible in evidence
Filing order
Form 3 and Form 4 are commonly filed together, and where the contribution changes the sequencing matters.
- Form 4: notice of appointment, 30 days
- Form 3: changed LLP agreement, 30 days
- Both certified by a practising professional
- File in the order the MCA portal expects for your case
The process
Add DP - from kickoff to confirmation.
01
DPIN and DSC
A proposed designated partner without a DPIN or DIN applies in Form DIR-3 with DSC, PAN, address proof and photograph. Existing DIN holders do not need a fresh DPIN. A DSC is required to sign the forms.
02
Consent and resolution
The incoming partner gives consent to act as designated partner, and the existing partners pass a resolution approving the admission in accordance with the LLP agreement.
03
Supplementary LLP agreement
Executed on stamp paper, recording the admission, the incoming partner's contribution, profit sharing and rights, and stamped per the relevant State Stamp Act.
04
File Form 4 and Form 3
Both within thirty days, certified by a practising professional, in the order the MCA portal expects where the contribution has changed.
Documents required
What we'll need from you.
Upload via our secure portal. We pre-check every scan before filing - cuts portal rejections by ~90%.
PAN and Aadhaar of the incoming partner
Address proof, not older than two months
Passport-size photograph
Passport, for a foreign national
DPIN or DIN, if already held
DSC of the incoming partner
Consent to act as designated partner
Resolution of existing partners
Existing LLP agreement and any prior supplementary agreements
Draft supplementary LLP agreement
Add DP FAQ
Common questions, answered by partners.
Still unsure if Add DP is right for your case? Book a free 20-minute consult - a senior CA / CS will walk you through your specifics.
Still have questions?
Book a free 20-minute consult with a senior partner - we'll walk through your case and outline next steps.
Talk to a partner →At least two, both individuals, and at least one of them must be resident in India, under Section 7 of the LLP Act, 2008. An LLP that drops below two, or loses its resident designated partner, is in breach.
Ready when you are
Let's get your Add DP sorted this week.
A senior CA / CS will get on a call with you, confirm scope and start the work - usually within 24 hours.