Form 4 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
When a person becomes or stops being a partner of an LLP, or a partner's name or address changes, the LLP gives the Registrar a notice in Form 4. Rule 22 of the Limited Liability Partnership Rules, 2009 sets out the form, the consent statement and the certificate that goes with it, and section 25 of the Act sets the thirty days. If you want the appointment or exit papered and filed correctly, our changes in LLP agreement and partners team handles both.
Under section 25(2) of the Act the LLP files a notice with the Registrar within thirty days from the date a person becomes or ceases to be a partner, or from the date of a change in a partner's name or address. Rule 22(2) says that notice is in Form 4. For an incoming partner, Form 4 carries a consent statement signed by that partner (rule 22(3)), and the form is accompanied by a certificate from a practising Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant or Company Secretary (rule 22(4)). This page explains the Rules as notified in 2009. Forms, fees and time limits have been amended since, so check the MCA portal before you file.
Who files, and in which form
Four different intimations sit close together in the Rules, and they are easy to mix up.
| Event | Form | Who files with whom | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner's change of own name or address | Form 6 | The partner informs the LLP, within fifteen days of the change | Rule 22(1); section 25(1) |
| Person becomes or ceases to be a partner; partner's name or address changes | Form 4 | The LLP files with the Registrar | Rule 22(2); section 25(2) |
| Particulars of an individual who consented to be a designated partner | Form 4 | The LLP files with the Registrar | Rule 8; section 7(4) |
| DPIN of a designated partner | Form 9 to the LLP, then Form 4 | Partner to LLP, then LLP to the Registrar | Rule 10(8) |
The printed heading of Form 4 refers to rules 8, 10(8), 22(2) and 22(3), which is why one form covers partners and designated partners. The 2009 form's fields are not described here.
The thirty days in section 25(2)
Section 25(2) says the LLP shall file a notice with the Registrar (a) within thirty days from the date he becomes or ceases to be a partner, and (b) within thirty days of such change where a partner's name or address changes. For a designated partner, section 7(4) says the particulars of every individual who has given consent are to be filed within thirty days of his appointment.
Step by step for an incoming partner
- Admit the partner as the LLP agreement provides (see section 23). Our partner admission resolution draft shows the usual wording.
- Obtain the incoming partner's signed consent statement. Rule 22(3) says Form 4 "shall include a statement signed by the incoming partner that he consents to become a partner", as section 25(3)(c) requires.
- If the person is to be a designated partner, the individual first gives prior consent to the LLP in Form 9 (rule 7; section 7(3)). Rule 10(1) requires an individual intending to be appointed to apply for a DPIN in Form 7. Rule 10(8) then has the LLP intimate the DPIN to the Registrar in Form 4. Rules 7 to 9 are explained in rules 7 to 9: consent, particulars and disqualification of designated partners.
- Obtain the professional's certificate. Rule 22(4) requires the form to be accompanied by a certificate from a Chartered Accountant in practice, Cost Accountant in practice or Company Secretary in practice that he has verified the particulars from the books and records of the LLP and found them to be true and correct.
- Have a designated partner sign and file within thirty days. Section 25(3)(b) says the notice is signed by a designated partner of the LLP and authenticated in the prescribed manner.
- Pay the fee shown for the notice. Rule 22(5) refers to Annexure A. No amount is given here; check the current fee on the portal.
When a partner leaves
The form is the same. A person ceases to be a partner under the agreement or, without one, by written notice of not less than thirty days (section 24(1)), or on death, unsoundness of mind or insolvency (section 24(2)). The LLP files Form 4 within thirty days from that date (section 25(2)(a)).
This filing matters beyond compliance. Under section 24(3), a former partner is still regarded as a partner in relation to a person dealing with the LLP unless that person has notice of the cessation, or notice of it has been delivered to the Registrar. Section 25(6), as originally enacted, also lets a former partner file the notice himself if he has reasonable cause to believe the LLP may not. Read more in section 24: cessation of partnership interest and cessation of a partner.
Default, and the 2023 substitution
Section 25(4) and (5) provide a penalty for a default under section 25(2) and for a partner's failure under section 25(1). The 2021 Act replaced the 2008 amounts, so none is quoted; see section 25. The LLP (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 (G.S.R. 644(E), 1 September 2023) substituted Forms 3 and 4; nothing more about it is in the source used here. Use the current Form 4 and fee on the MCA portal.
Common mistakes
- Filing the change in the LLP agreement but not the partner notice, or the reverse. The agreement goes in Form 3.
- Using Form 12 for a change of designated partner. In the Rules as notified, Form 12 is the notice of another address for service (rule 16), not a partner form; see Form 12 under the LLP Rules: another address for service of documents. The older Form 12 designated partner change guide uses the wrong form number; a change of partner or designated partner is Form 4.
- Missing the incoming partner's signed consent (rule 22(3)).
Need help with a partner change?
A partner change often needs an amended agreement, a DPIN and a Form 9 consent as well as the notice. Our changes in LLP agreement and partners service coordinates the resolution, the consent, the certificate and the Form 4 filing within the section 25(2) period.
Key takeaways
- Form 4 is the LLP's notice to the Registrar of a partner joining, leaving, or changing name or address (rule 22(2)).
- Thirty days from the event (section 25(2)); the partner informs the LLP of own name or address change in fifteen days (section 25(1)).
- An incoming partner signs a consent statement (rule 22(3)); a practising professional certifies the particulars (rule 22(4)).
- Designated partner details also go in Form 4 (rule 8; rule 10(8)).
- Check the current form, fee and time limits on the MCA portal.
Read next
- Rules 21 and 22: LLP agreement filing and changes in partners
- Form 4 under section 25: partner appointment, cessation and change
- Section 7: designated partners
- Changes in partners: addition, cessation and changes
Disclaimer: Based on the Limited Liability Partnership Rules, 2009 as notified on 1 April 2009 (G.S.R. 229(E)) and the LLP Act, 2008, as consulted on 2 October 2026. The Rules have been amended since, so current forms, fees and time limits must be checked on the MCA portal. This article is general information, not legal advice.