The Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) is a mandatory unique code assigned by chartered accountants in India to authenticate and verify certified documents. UDIN verification plays a crucial role in validating financial documents and certificates endorsed by chartered accountants, ensuring their genuineness and traceability in the evolving digital documentation environment.

Previously, verifying UDIN involved manual cross-checking with databases maintained by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) or the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a process that was often time-consuming and prone to errors.

The ICAI UDIN verification system acts as a protective measure for certificates, reports, and other documents certified by members, allowing third parties such as regulators, banks, and authorities to confirm the authenticity of these documents. To enhance efficiency and security in document attestation, many software providers now offer UDIN verification API solutions to facilitate seamless integration into existing workflows.

What is UDIN?

UDIN stands for Unique Document Identification Number, a distinctive 18-digit unique number generated through the UDIN portal for certificates and documents attested by Chartered Accountants registered on the platform, guaranteeing their authenticity and traceability.

This unique alphanumeric code is composed of three parts:

  • The first two digits (YY) indicate the last two digits of the current year.
  • The next six digits (MMMMMM) represent the ICAI membership number.
  • The final ten digits (AANNNAANNN) are a system-generated alphanumeric sequence unique to each document.

The UDIN system was developed as a mandatory security mechanism by ICAI to prevent fraud, misrepresentation, and unauthorized changes to certified documents, placing the responsibility on the concerned member who carried out the certification and ensuring the authenticity thereof.

What is UDIN Verification?

UDIN verification is the process of confirming the authenticity of a document by validating its associated UDIN. This process ensures that the document has not been altered or revoked without authorization, thereby increasing confidence in its validity.

To verify a UDIN, one must visit the official ICAI UDIN portal and enter the unique number along with their name, phone number, and e mail id. Third parties do not need to register on the UDIN portal for verification, making it accessible to authorities, regulators, banks, and others.

Since its implementation, ICAI members have generated over 50 million UDINs, highlighting the widespread acceptance and importance of this system in professional practice.

Regulatory Framework for UDIN in India

To combat fraudulent certifications by individuals impersonating Chartered Accountants, the ICAI’s Professional Development Committee introduced the UDIN system, which has been implemented in phases as per council decisions:

  • Mandatory for all certificates effective from 1st February 2019.
  • Required for all GST and Tax Audit Reports from 1st April 2019.
  • Applicable to all other audit, assurance, and attestation functions from 1st July 2019.

All full-time practicing CAs holding a Certificate of Practice (CoP) must generate UDINs for their certified documents within 30 days of signing. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disciplinary action.

The UDIN system enhances document security and allows regulators, banks, and other third parties to verify the authenticity of certified documents, supporting compliance with authorities, regulators, banks, others.

How to Register on UDIN Portal?

To use the UDIN system, professionals must register on the UDIN portal by following these steps:

  • Select “Member Registration” or “First-time Sign-up”.
  • Provide your six-digit membership number, date of birth, and year of enrollment.
  • Request an OTP sent to your registered mobile number and e mail id.
  • Verify the OTP to complete registration.
  • Receive login credentials via mail and mobile.

How to Generate a UDIN?

To generate a UDIN for a document, follow the following steps:

  • Log in to the UDIN portal at https://udin.icai.org/ using your credentials.
  • Choose “Generate UDIN” from the menu.
  • Select the document type.
  • Enter the date the document was signed.
  • Provide at least three keywords with corresponding values from the document, as per the following mandatory information required (e.g., Turnover, Net Worth).
  • Add a brief document description (15 to 50 characters).
  • Request and enter the OTP sent to your registered contact details.
  • Review all information carefully before submitting.
  • Note that once submitted, the details cannot be changed.
  • The system will generate an 18-digit UDIN, which can be included on the certificate as a watermark, handwritten, or printed in the specified format.

Why is UDIN Verification Important?

UDIN verification is essential to confirm the authenticity and credibility of documents certified by practicing Chartered Accountants. This mandatory security measure reduces the risk of fraudulent certifications and unauthorized document alterations.

Regulatory authorities, banks, and other stakeholders can easily verify documents online using the UDIN, fostering trust and reliability in financial and legal transactions. Compliance with ICAI’s UDIN requirements is vital for maintaining professional standards and document integrity.

Documents Requiring UDIN Verification

UDIN verification applies to:

  1. Certificates issued by chartered accountants.
  2. Financial and audit reports, including review and guidance reports.
  3. Attested documents.
  4. Regulatory forms, such as certificates for foreign remittances filed in Form 15CB.
  5. RERA certificates issued under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.
  6. Audit, assurance, and attestation engagements as per relevant standards.

This requirement covers all assurance services provided by full-time practicing CAs, emphasizing their role in upholding professional integrity and securing documents.

Applicability for Digitally Signed Documents

UDIN is mandatory for both manually and digitally signed reports, including Tax and GST audit reports submitted electronically. For digitally signed documents without a dedicated UDIN field, practitioners should generate and retain UDINs to ensure compliance and provide them upon request.</p

Entities Authorized to Request UDIN

Authorized organizations that may request UDIN verification include:

  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  • Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
  • Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
  • Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
  • Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)
  • Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
  • Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
  • Other regulatory bodies

ICAI collaborates with these authorities to promote UDIN inclusion in all certified documents, standardizing verification procedures and facilitating transparency.

UDIN Revocation Process

If a mistake is identified in a UDIN, the responsible CA can revoke it within 48 hours via the UDIN portal by providing a valid reason. Revoked UDINs remain visible but are clearly marked as revoked to maintain transparency.

Challenges in UDIN Verification

Some challenges faced include:

  • Manual verification leading to delays and errors.
  • Paper-based documentation complicating tracking.
  • Communication gaps between users and regulators.
  • Limited accessibility in decentralized systems.
  • Resource-intensive processes.
  • Difficulty maintaining clear audit trails.
  • Integration issues with existing systems.

The UDIN Verification API – Digitizing ICAI Document Validation

The UDIN Verification API automates the verification process, reducing manual effort. It allows integration into software applications, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency by providing real-time validation of document authenticity.

How the UDIN Verification API Works

  • Verification begins through the API by CA professionals.
  • Users select services such as searching ICAI member details.
  • The API collects necessary data like membership number and fetches verification from official databases.
  • It returns key details including name, membership number, enrollment date, registered address, and verification status.

Use Cases for UDIN Verification

UDIN verification supports:

  • Compliance with regulatory bodies like RBI, SEBI, CBDT, and CMAs.
  • Enhancing transparency for clients, investors, and authorities.
  • Validating legal documents, contracts, and agreements.
  • Ensuring audit and review integrity.
  • Supporting corporate governance.
  • Verifying UDINs in digitally signed filings.
  • Preventing fraud through unique document identification.

Optimize Workflows with Melento (Formerly SignDesk)’s Integrated API for Secure UDIN Verification

Melento (Formerly SignDesk) provides SaaS-based digital solutions with API integrations for instant, secure UDIN verification.

Their suite of ID verification APIs includes:

  • PAN verification API
  • Digi Locker KYC API
  • Aadhaar XML generation API
  • Driving License Verification API
  • Voter ID verification API
  • Passport verification API
  • DIN verification API
  • CIN Verification API
  • GSTN verification API
  • Udyam verification API
  • Bank account number verification API
  • Vehicle RC verification API
  • UAN verification API
  • FSSAI verification API
  • UPI Verification API
  • Pan Aadhaar Link Verification

Leverage Melento’s UDIN Verification API to overcome traditional challenges and ensure a streamlined, secure, and instant UDIN verification experience, supporting the initiative to maintain authenticity and trust in certified documents.