What is Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN)?
Unique document identification number (UDIN) is a system generated number of 18 digits assigned to each and every document certified/attested by practicing chartered accountants. There is no fee needed for generation and registration of UDIN. It is applicable on both manual and digitally signed certificates/documents such as MCA, ROC, RBI certificate/reports.
UDIN is only generated for original certificates. However, duplicate certificate may be issued upon client request with the same UDIN number. There is no limit specified on generation of UDIN. There is no need to do fresh registration every financial year for UDIN. It has no expiry date unless it is revoked or cancelled by the client himself. It is mandatory to generate UDIN for all certificates w.e.f 1st February 2019.
Objective of UDIN
The main objective of UDIN is to save ourselves from misleading documents certified or attested by third person misrepresenting themselves as CA members.
There are numerous complaints received in which signature of certified chartered accountants are forged by Non-CA’s.
The system of UDIN is introduced in order to secure the certified and attested documents/certificates. It will also enable the banks/regulators/third parties to check the authenticity of the documents.
Format of UDIN
UDIN number comprises of 18 digits which are divided into 3 intervals i.e. YY MMMMMM AANNNAANNN. Let us understand with an example – 19823045DKSTNB1953
Whether UDIN Secure or not?
UDIN is totally secured as members/regulators/other stakeholders who are having UDIN can view it. It does not contain any information of the client.
Who can register on UDIN portal?
All practicing chartered accountants possessing full time certificate of practice (CoP) can only generate UDIN on UDIN portal.
When to generate UDIN?
UDIN is generated at the time of signing the certificate. However, UDIN for the signed certificate is generated within 15 days of the date mentioned on the certificate but not after exceeding the limit of 15 days.
How to register on UDIN portal?
To register on UDIN portal, kindly follow the steps given below –
Step 1 – Go to the website https://udin.icai.org
Step 2 – Click on “member registration” given on the top of the page in the menu bar.
Step 3 – After clicking on member registration, apage containing fields like membership number, date of birth and the enrollment year will be displayed on the screen.
Step 4 – After entering these credentials and clicking on “Send OTP”, you will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number and e-mail.
Step 5 – After confirmation of received OTP, a username and password is sent to your registered mobile number & e-mail.
How to generate UDIN for a document?
To generate UDIN for a document, kindly find the steps given below –
Step 1 – Go to website – https://udin.icai.org and enter username & password in the fields given under member’s login on the right side of the middle of the page.
Step 2 – Click on “Generate UDIN” from the menu bar and
Step 3 – Enter the description of the 2 financial figures (10 to 50 characters). It is mandatory to fill 2 financial figures out of 3 given fields. In case you are not having any financial figure in the certificate, you need to mention “zero” in the section of financial figures.
Step 4 – Now, select document description and fill the description about the relevant certificate/document in 15 to 50 characters.
Step 5 – After entering the description, click on “Send OTP”. After clicking, you will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number & e-mail.
Step 6 – After entering OTP, click on preview. It will provide you all the details you have entered till now. In case, if there is any error in the details you are submitting, you can click back button to edit the details or else click “Submit”.
Step 7 – After submitting the details, 18 digits UDIN will be generated which is to be mentioned on the certificate. It can be generated either by printing or handwritten. It is to be mentioned after the signature and membership number of the member.
How to change the password of your account on UDIN portal?
Step 1 - Login your account on UDIN portal https://udin.icai.org
Step 2 - Click on “Change password”
Step 3 - Enter your current password
Step 4 - Enter new password and click “Send OTP”. You will receive an “OTP” on your registered mobile number & e-mail. After OTP confirmation, new password will be sent to your registered mobile number & e-mail.
What to do in case you forgot the password?
Step 1 – Go to website https://udin.icai.org
Step 2 – Click on “forgot password”
Step 3 – After clicking on “Forgot password”, a page containing 3 field s will be displayed on screen –
Revocation/Cancellation of UDIN
UDIN has no expiry date but once generated, it can be revoked/cancelled after mentioning the appropriate reason. There is no time limit for allowing revocation. In case if any user (Authorities/banks/regulators/others) will search the UDIN before revocation, an alert message will be sent to that user about UDIN revocation whereas if any user search for UDIN after revocation, the date of revocation along with appropriate narration will be displayed on screen.
Revocation of UDIN may be required in any of the three cases –
