A bank asks for it before approving a loan. An embassy wants it with a visa application. A tender authority needs it before you can bid. In each case the document is the same: a net worth certificate, a statement by a Chartered Accountant of your total assets minus your total liabilities as on a stated date.
The formula is simple: Net Worth = Total Assets minus Total Liabilities. If you own assets worth ₹50 lakh and owe ₹20 lakh, your net worth is ₹30 lakh. What gives the certificate weight is the CA's check of the documents behind each figure, and the UDIN that lets anyone verify it was issued by a real, practising CA.
If you would rather hand it off, Regikart's net worth certificate service is handled end to end by practising CAs, with a UDIN on every certificate.
Quick answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A CA-certified statement of assets minus liabilities as on a given date. |
| Who can issue one? | Only a practising Chartered Accountant holding a valid Certificate of Practice, registered with ICAI. |
| Is a UDIN mandatory? | Yes. Every CA certificate must carry an 18-digit UDIN. |
| What is the formula? | Net Worth equals Total Assets minus Total Liabilities. |
| Can I prepare it myself? | No. A self-prepared statement has no legal validity; banks, embassies and tender authorities want a CA-signed certificate. |
| How long is it valid? | No law fixes it. For visas, usually three to six months; banks and tenders set their own limits. |
What a net worth certificate is
A net worth certificate is a formal document, prepared and signed by a practising Chartered Accountant, that states a person's or an entity's net worth as on a specific date. It lists assets and liabilities by category, states the basis of value for each, and ends with the CA's signature, membership number, firm details and UDIN.
The date matters more than most applicants realise. The certificate speaks only as on its reference date. That single fact explains why institutions set validity limits, why you should obtain it close to your submission date, and why each institution can ask for its own format and date.
Key terms: net worth, assets, liabilities, UDIN, COP
- Net worth: the value of everything you own minus everything you owe, on a given date.
- Assets: bank balances, fixed deposits, shares, mutual funds, real estate, vehicles, gold and business capital.
- Liabilities: home, vehicle and personal loans, credit card dues and other obligations.
- UDIN: the 18-digit Unique Document Identification Number a CA generates on the ICAI portal for each certificate.
- COP (Certificate of Practice): the ICAI licence that allows a CA to certify documents for public use.
Who can issue one
In India, only a Chartered Accountant who is a member of ICAI and holds a valid Certificate of Practice can issue a net worth certificate. No tax consultant, accountant or advisor can.
The COP condition is the one that catches people out. A CA in employment without a COP cannot certify documents for public use, so a friend or relative who is a CA working in a company cannot sign your certificate. A certificate from a non-practising CA is invalid for public use.
The CA examines your documents, confirms the figures and stands behind the certificate professionally. Certifying false figures can lead to professional misconduct proceedings under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, which is why a CA can refuse to sign where liabilities are hidden or values cannot be supported.
UDIN: the 18-digit number and how to verify it
UDIN stands for Unique Document Identification Number. It is an 18-digit, system-generated number that the CA creates on the ICAI UDIN portal for each document signed. ICAI made UDIN mandatory for all certificates signed by practising CAs from 1 February 2019, and for all other attest functions from 1 July 2019. A net worth certificate without a UDIN does not meet ICAI's requirement.
When the UDIN is generated, the portal records the CA's membership number, the document type, the client's name and the date. Anyone who receives the certificate, whether a bank officer, an embassy or a tender evaluator, can enter the UDIN at udin.icai.org and confirm those details. A forged certificate or a fabricated UDIN fails that check.
Generating and verifying a UDIN is free. You can verify your own certificate before you submit it. For jointly held property, each co-owner's certificate carries its own UDIN, because every UDIN is unique to one document. See net worth certificate for joint owners and our deeper guide to UDIN on a net worth certificate.
Where it is used
| Situation | Why it is needed | When to start (practical advice) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank loans | To assess creditworthiness and repayment capacity. See net worth certificate for a business loan | A week or more before you apply |
| Visa applications | To show financial capacity for student, business or immigration visas | Two weeks before, and close enough to meet the embassy's date limit |
| Government tenders | To prove minimum net worth eligibility for bidding | As soon as the tender is published, once you know the reference date |
| Franchise investment | To show the franchisor you can fund the investment | Two weeks before |
| DEMAT and trading accounts | For financial-capacity checks on certain high-value accounts | When the broker asks |
| Legal proceedings | To present a clear financial position, for example in inheritance disputes | When your lawyer asks |
How long it is valid
No law fixes a validity period. The institution decides how recent the reference date must be. For visa use, embassies usually want a certificate issued within the last three to six months; banks and tender authorities may set their own validity in their checklist or tender clause. Read that requirement before you order, and obtain the certificate close to your submission date.
There is no statutory format
There is no single statutory format for a net worth certificate. The requesting authority may specify its own, and a tender document or bank letter often does. If a format is prescribed, share it with the CA at the start so the certificate follows it word for word. A format mismatch is a common reason for rejection.
How net worth is calculated
Net Worth = Total Assets minus Total Liabilities, as on the reference date.
What counts as an asset
Cash and bank balances; investments such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, insurance surrender value, NPS and withdrawable EPF; real estate at market value; vehicles at market value; business assets such as inventory, machinery and documented goodwill; and professionally appraised valuables.
What counts as a liability
All outstanding loans (home, personal, business, education, vehicle), credit obligations (credit card dues, vendor payables, arrears) and other dues (tax payable, loan against insurance, advances received but not yet earned).
When a registered valuer's report is needed
For high-value property, the CA may ask for a registered valuer's report to support the figure. The valuer's fee is separate. See our valuation report service.
Worked example. Amit Sharma's assets: savings ₹8.5 lakh, business account ₹4.2 lakh, mutual funds ₹12.5 lakh, stocks ₹5 lakh, home ₹35 lakh, commercial property ₹20 lakh, insurance surrender value ₹3 lakh, vehicle ₹12.5 lakh and inventory ₹8 lakh, a total of ₹1,08,70,000. His liabilities: home loan ₹15 lakh, business loan ₹8.5 lakh, personal loan ₹3 lakh, credit card ₹1.5 lakh and vendor payables ₹2.2 lakh, a total of ₹30,20,000. Net worth = ₹1,08,70,000 minus ₹30,20,000 = ₹78,50,000 (₹78.5 lakh).
By entity type: proprietor, partnership, company, individual
The calculation is the same for every structure, but the source of the figures and the documents differ.
| Aspect | Sole proprietor | Partnership | Private limited | Individual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asset source | Personal and business | Firm and partners | Company balance sheet | Personal only |
| Audited accounts needed | No | No | Yes, where applicable | No |
| Key documents | Personal and business records | Partnership deed | Audited financials | Personal documents |
| Our service page | Sole proprietorship | Partnership | Private limited | Individual |
Documents required
- Mandatory: PAN, Aadhaar, current address proof (utility bill, rent agreement or property tax receipt) and 6 to 12 months of bank statements for all accounts.
- Assets: property deeds and tax receipts, mutual fund, stock and FD statements, insurance surrender value, vehicle RC, and business asset records where applicable.
- Liabilities: latest statements for every loan, plus credit card statements and outstanding vendor bills.
- Income and tax (helpful, not mandatory): the last two years' ITRs, recent GST returns, and the partnership deed or incorporation certificate as relevant.
| Document | Needed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PAN card | Yes | Identity and tax identity |
| Aadhaar card | Yes | Address verification |
| Bank statements | Yes | Balance proof, cross-checked with the ITR |
| ITR | Preferred | Source of income |
| Property deed | If you own property | Asset documentation |
| Partnership deed | If a partnership | Proof of the firm |
| Incorporation certificate | If a company | Proof of the company |
Where an ITR is used as supporting evidence, the return for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is under the Income-tax Act, 1961, and from Tax Year 2026-27 under the Income-tax Act, 2025. If yours is not filed yet, see income tax return filing. Our full document checklist explains what each proof needs to show.
The process, step by step
- Confirm the purpose, format and date. Tell the CA who wants the certificate, whether there is a prescribed format, and the reference date.
- Gather documents. PAN, Aadhaar, bank statements, property and investment papers, loan statements and ITRs.
- Submit them. Email or upload clear, complete scans, with the use case noted.
- Verification and valuation. The CA cross-checks every asset and liability, asks for a registered valuer's report where needed, and prepares a draft.
- UDIN and signing. The CA signs the certificate and generates the UDIN on the ICAI portal.
- Delivery. A signed PDF by email, with a hard copy by courier where the institution needs one.
Fees
Regikart's professional fee for a net worth certificate is from ₹1,499 per certificate. The final fee depends on the number of assets, whether it is an individual or a business certificate, and whether a specific tender format or a second currency is needed. We confirm it in writing before we start.
Net worth certificate against solvency certificate
| Feature | Net worth certificate | Solvency certificate |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Assets minus liabilities on a date | Ability to meet financial obligations |
| Common use | Visa, loans, tenders | Tenders, contracts, guarantees |
| Issued by | Practising CA with a UDIN | CA or bank, depending on the requirement |
| Focus | A point-in-time net worth figure | Overall financial soundness |
We compare the two in depth in net worth vs solvency certificate.
Net worth certificate against income certificate
A net worth certificate comes from a CA and shows assets minus liabilities. A government income certificate comes from the revenue department and shows income. Submitting one where the other is required is a common reason for rejection, so confirm which document the institution wants. For visas, a CA can also certify income separately: see CA income certificate for visa.
CA-certified against a self-prepared statement
| Factor | Self-prepared | CA-certified |
|---|---|---|
| Legal validity | None | Signed by a practising CA under ICAI rules |
| Accepted by banks, embassies, tenders | Generally not; they require a CA-signed certificate | Yes, subject to their format and date |
| Verification | None | UDIN can be checked at udin.icai.org, so a forged certificate fails verification |
| International use | No | Yes |
Common mistakes that lead to rejection
- Confusing it with an income certificate. Confirm which document is required.
- Getting it from a non-practising CA. The certificate is invalid for public use. Confirm the CA holds a valid COP.
- Missing or fake UDIN. The certificate fails verification. Check the 18-digit UDIN yourself at udin.icai.org.
- Outdated certificate. The reference date is too old for the institution. Obtain it close to submission.
- Format mismatch. The institution prescribed a format and it was not followed.
- Incomplete asset documentation. Provide full bank statements, not just balances.
- Inflating net worth or hiding liabilities. Only documented values can be certified, and a CA must show all liabilities.
- Not stating the purpose. Tell the CA whether it is for a loan, a specific visa or a tender.
For NRIs
An NRI can get a net worth certificate without being physically present in India. Documents are shared digitally, the CA verifies them, and the signed certificate with UDIN is sent by email, with a hard copy by courier where needed. If your Indian income also needs a return, see ITR filing for NRIs.
Get your net worth certificate with Regikart
Regikart's practising CAs issue UDIN-verified net worth certificates for individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships and companies, in the format your bank, embassy or tender authority asks for. Start with our net worth certificate service, call or WhatsApp +91 70444 94804, or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Who can issue a net worth certificate in India?
Only a practising Chartered Accountant who holds a valid Certificate of Practice and is registered with ICAI. A CA in employment without a COP cannot certify it for public use.
Is a UDIN compulsory on a net worth certificate?
Yes. ICAI made UDIN mandatory on certificates signed by practising CAs from 1 February 2019. It is an 18-digit number that anyone can verify at udin.icai.org, free of charge.
How is net worth calculated?
Net Worth equals Total Assets (movable and immovable) minus Total Liabilities (loans and dues), as on a specified reference date.
Can I make a net worth certificate myself?
No. A self-prepared statement has no legal validity. Banks, embassies and tender authorities require a CA-signed certificate with a UDIN.
How long is a net worth certificate valid?
No law fixes a validity period. Embassies usually want one issued within the last three to six months, and banks and tender authorities set their own limits. Check the requirement before you order.
Is there a standard format for a net worth certificate?
There is no single statutory format. The requesting authority may specify its own, and if it does, the certificate should follow it exactly.
Is it the same as a balance sheet?
No. A balance sheet is a company's formal accounting statement. A net worth certificate is a purpose-specific statement of net worth on a date, certified by a CA.
Can I get one without formal accounts?
Yes. It is based on documented assets and liabilities, so ITRs and GST returns help but are not mandatory.
What if my liabilities exceed my assets?
The certificate shows a negative net worth. It must be accurate, and hiding liabilities is not permitted.
What is the difference between a net worth certificate and an income certificate?
A net worth certificate is issued by a CA and shows assets minus liabilities. A government income certificate is issued by the revenue department and shows income.
Can an NRI get a net worth certificate?
Yes. An NRI can submit documents digitally and receive a CA-issued certificate with a UDIN without being physically present in India.
Does property need a valuation report?
For high-value property, the CA may ask for a registered valuer's report to support the figure. The valuer's fee is separate from the CA's fee.
Net worth certificate kaun bana sakta hai aur kitne din ke liye valid hota hai?
Sirf practising CA, jiske paas valid Certificate of Practice ho, UDIN ke saath bana sakta hai. Validity kisi law mein fixed nahi hai; visa ke liye aam taur par 3 se 6 mahine purana certificate chalta hai, aur bank ya tender apni limit khud tay karte hain.
About the author
CA Ganpat Khemka
Chartered Accountant at Regikart. Want to discuss this in the context of your business?
