AMFI ARN Registration

AMFI ARN Registration: Step-by-Step Process, Fees & Documents

Overview

The AMFI Registration Number (ARN) serves as the fundamental licensing mechanism within India's mutual fund distribution ecosystem. Issued exclusively by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), this unique alphanumeric identifier legitimizes Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) to operate as authorized mutual fund intermediaries. For LLPs seeking to capitalize on India's rapidly growing ?50+ trillion asset management industry, obtaining this non-individual ARN certification isn't merely optional—it's a statutory prerequisite mandated under SEBI regulations. The registration process, administered through CAMS (Computer Age Management Services), establishes your LLP's credibility while unlocking access to commission structures across all AMFI-member fund houses.

Regulatory Framework

India's mutual fund distribution landscape operates within a tightly regulated framework designed to protect investor interests while maintaining market integrity:

Primary Regulator: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Notification No. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2019/43

Administrative Authority: AMFI (Self-Regulatory Organization under SEBI guidelines)

Processing Agency: CAMS - India's largest registrar and transfer agent

Governing Legislation: SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 (Amendment 2021)

Compliance Mandates: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 + KYC Master Direction

Eligibility Criteria for LLPs

To qualify for non-individual ARN certification, your Limited Liability Partnership must satisfy these critical conditions:

Legal Incorporation: Valid Certificate of Incorporation issued under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 with active MCA portal status

Qualified Personnel: Minimum one designated partner or full-time employee holding current NISM-Series V-A certification (valid 3-year cycle)

Financial Identity: Permanent Account Number (PAN) registered in the LLP's name with TAN compliance

Operational Infrastructure: Verified commercial business address (not residential) with supporting documentation

Regulatory Clean Record: No history of SEBI/IRDAI/RBI disqualifications or criminal proceedings against partners

AML Protocols: Documented anti-money laundering policy framework with designated compliance officer

Documents Required

Entity-Level Documentation (LLP)

Certified copy of LLP Incorporation Certificate (Form 16)

LLP PAN card and Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) certificate

Recent utility bill (electricity/water) or notarized lease agreement for business address verification

Complete LLP Agreement with amendments (duly stamped)

GST registration certificate (if annual turnover exceeds ?20 lakhs)

Original cancelled cheque bearing LLP's current account details

Form 9 (List of Partners) with attested PAN copies and specimen signatures

NISM-Certified Representative Documentation

Valid NISM-Series V-A Mutual Fund Distributor Certificate (digital copy acceptable)

Personal PAN card and Aadhaar card with QR verification

Current address proof (Driving License/Passport/Voter ID dated within 3 months)

Two recent passport-sized photographs with white background

AMFI KYC Form D (duly notarized) with employment verification letter

SEBI Declaration Form for Intermediaries (Format specified in Annexure III)

ARN Registration Process for LLP

1. NISM Certification Acquisition
   Designated partners must first clear the NISM-Series V-A certification examination conducted through NSE's testing network. The comprehensive 100-mark computer-based test covers mutual fund fundamentals, regulations, and distribution ethics.

2. Document Compilation & Attestation
   Collate all entity and partner documents ensuring notarization where required. Digital copies must be scanned in PDF format (max 200KB per document) with clear visibility.

3. CAMS Application Submission
   Access the dedicated ARN portal on CAMSOnline.com, complete Form AMFI-DIST (Non-Individual), and upload supporting documents. Physical submissions are only accepted with prior approval.

4. Fee Payment Protocol
   Pay the non-refundable Rs. 3,540 registration fee (Rs.3,000 + 18% GST) via:

   • Online payment gateway (preferred)

   • Demand Draft favoring "Association of Mutual Funds in India"

   • NEFT/RTGS to AMFI's designated bank account

5. ARN Issuance & Activation
   Upon successful verification (typically 7-15 working days), your unique ARN certificate will be:

   • Emailed to registered contacts

   • Available on CAMS KFintech portal

   • Physically dispatched to business address

Post-Registration Compliance

Maintaining active ARN status requires rigorous adherence to these ongoing obligations:

ARN Renewal: Initiate 45 days pre-expiry via CAMS portal with updated documents

EUIN Declaration: File annual Employee Unique Identification Number disclosures before March 31st

Transaction Audits: Maintain 5-year audit trail of all mutual fund transactions

Regulatory Updates: Immediately notify AMFI of LLP structural changes (partner exit/admission)

Continuous Education: Complete AMFI's 15-hour certification program per compliance cycle

KYC Vigilance: Verify investor identities through SEBI's KRA system before processing applications

Strategic Advantages of ARN Certification

Revenue Streams: Earn 0.5-1% trail commissions across ?1 crore+ AUM portfolios

Market Access: Distribution rights for 43 AMFI-member fund houses including SBI MF, HDFC MF

Credibility Enhancement: SEBI-approved status boosts investor confidence

Digital Integration: Access to advisor portals like MFUtility and Coin by Zerodha

Regulatory Shield: Compliance protection under SEBI's investor grievance framework