Rules 12 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.
Rules 12 to 15 are the housekeeping rules for anything filed at the Registry: how a document must look, who signs for a firm or a company, how documents travel by post and what personal details an applicant must give. They look minor, but a document that breaks them can be returned or questioned. They support the application provisions of section 8 of the Act.
This article reflects the Rules as amended up to G.S.R. 689(E) dated 14 September 2012 (the only amendment). Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications. For a company filing for the first time, a legal consultation before signing can avoid defects in the signature block.
Documents go in Hindi or English, in large legible characters with deep permanent ink on strong paper, on one side only (except affidavits), of about 33 cm by 20 cm. A partnership signs through at least one partner; a body corporate through a director, the secretary or another principal officer, with the capacity stated. Documents may be posted by prepaid letter and are deemed delivered when the letter would arrive in the ordinary course. Applicants give full names, addresses, nationality and calling, every partner's name in a firm and, for foreigners, a home address as well as an address for service in India.
Rule 12: size and quality
12(1): form of documents
Subject to any directions from the Registrar, all applications, notices, statements and other documents authorised or required to be made, served, left or sent at or to the Registry, or with or to the Registrar or the Appellate Board, "shall be written, typewritten or printed in Hindi or in English in large and legible characters with deep permanent ink upon strong paper, and except in the case of affidavits, on one side only, of a size of approximately 33 centimeters by 20 centimeters and shall have on the left hand part thereof a margin of less than 4 centimeters."
Take the words as printed: a margin "of less than 4 centimeters". The sense of a margin rule is normally a minimum, and the printed words read as a maximum. This is a drafting slip in the printed text. Ask the Registry which margin it expects if you are in doubt.
| Requirement | Rule 12(1) |
|---|---|
| Language | Hindi or English |
| Characters | Large and legible, deep permanent ink |
| Paper | Strong paper |
| Sides | One side only, except affidavits |
| Size | Approximately 33 cm by 20 cm |
| Margin | On the left-hand part (printed as "less than 4 centimeters") |
The word "Board" appears in the text; the Board line applies to any document meant for it: no notification bringing sections 32 to 53 (and 55) into force was found in the India Code record or on the Registry's notifications page (checked 3 October 2026); check the current position before relying on that route.
12(2): duplicates
"Duplicate documents including layout-designs shall be filed at the Registry, if at any time required by the Registrar." The drawings and photographs required for an application are explained in Rules 21 to 23.
Rule 13: signing
13(1): firms and companies
"A document purporting to be signed by a partnership shall be signed by at least one of the partners and the document purporting to be signed by a body corporate shall be signed by a director or by the secretary or other principal officer of the body corporate." The individual must state, below his signature, the capacity in which he signs on behalf of the partnership or body corporate.
| Applicant | Who signs | What else |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership | At least one partner | Capacity stated below the signature |
| Body corporate | A director, the secretary or another principal officer | Capacity stated below the signature |
13(2): other scripts
A signature in letters other than Roman, or one that is not legible, "shall be accompanied by a transliteration in English and in block capital letters." A signature in Devanagari, for instance, would need an English block-capital transliteration alongside.
An applicant may also sign through an agent: Form LD-1 is signed "by the applicant or his agent" under rule 22, and the authorisation of an agent is dealt with in Rules 16 to 20.
Rule 14: service by post
- 14(1). All applications, notices, statements, papers with representations affixed and other documents authorised or required to be made, served, left or sent at or to the Registry, the Registrar, the Appellate Board or any other person "may be sent through the post by a pre-paid letter".
- 14(2). Any application or document so sent "shall be deemed to have been made, served, left or sent at the time when the letter containing the same would be delivered in the ordinary course of post".
- 14(3). To prove the sending, "it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter was properly addressed and put into the post."
Two practical effects. The deemed time is the time of ordinary delivery, not the date of posting. And proof of posting needs only a properly addressed, posted letter. Where a fee is payable with the document, rule 10(5) separately makes the date the entire fee is paid the date of filing; see Rules 10 and 11. Documents go to the appropriate office: see Rules 4 to 9.
Rule 15: particulars of applicants and other persons
- 15(1). Names and addresses of the applicants and other persons "shall be given in full, together with their nationality, calling, and such other particulars as are necessary for identification."
- 15(2). For a firm, "the full name and nationality of every partner thereof shall be stated."
- 15(3). For foreign applicants and persons having no principal place of business in India, "their addresses in their home country shall be given in addition to their address for service in India."
- 15(4). For a body corporate or firm, "the country of incorporation or the nature of registration, if any" shall be given.
| Case | Particulars |
|---|---|
| Any applicant or person | Full name and address, nationality, calling, other identifying particulars |
| Firm | Full name and nationality of every partner |
| Foreign applicant, or none with a principal place of business in India | Home-country address plus address for service in India |
| Body corporate or firm | Country of incorporation or nature of registration |
A worked example
A partnership design firm files a notice through a partner. The partner signs, adds "Partner" under his signature, and the firm gives the full name and nationality of each of its three partners. The notice is typed in English on strong paper on one side. The firm posts it by prepaid letter to the appropriate office; it is deemed delivered when the letter would arrive in the ordinary course, and proof of posting needs only that the letter was properly addressed and posted. A foreign co-applicant lists its home-country address and an address for service in India.
Need help getting the paperwork right?
If you want a first filing checked for signatures, particulars and service before it goes out, our legal consultation team can review it with you.
Key takeaways
- Documents are in Hindi or English, on strong paper, in permanent ink, one side only except affidavits, about 33 cm by 20 cm.
- A partnership signs through at least one partner; a body corporate through a director, the secretary or another principal officer; capacity stated.
- Non-Roman signatures need an English block-capital transliteration.
- Postal service is by prepaid letter, deemed delivered in the ordinary course.
- Applicants give full particulars, including nationality, partners' names and, for foreigners, a home address.
Read next
- Rules 4 to 9: the appropriate office
- Rules 16 to 20: address for service and agents
- Rules 1 to 3: definitions
Disclaimer: Based on the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Act, 2000 (never amended; commencement as notified in 2004, 2011 and 2014) and the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Rules, 2001 as amended by G.S.R. 689(E) of 14 September 2012, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications and current forms and fees. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.