Thinking of starting a shop, small biz, office or any kind of commercial setup in Maharashtra? Then yeah, you can’t really skip getting a Shop Act Licence. It’s not just some paperwork to tick off — it’s actually a legal must under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act. Without it, your business is basically unofficial in the eyes of the law.
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Good news? The entire Shop Act Registration process in Maharashtra is now online. You don’t have to run around offices anymore. From registration to downloading your Shop Act certificate PDF, everything is now possible through the Aaple Sarkar Portal.
Let’s break it down in simple steps.
✅ What is Shop Act Licence in Maharashtra?
The Shop Act Licence (also called Gumasta licence earlier) is a legal permission from the Maharashtra government to run a shop or commercial business. Whether you’re a freelancer with an office, a restaurant owner, or just opened a beauty parlour — you need to register under this Act.
📍 Who Needs Shop Act Registration?
If you fall into any of the below, you need to register:
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Shops (including online shops!)
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Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels
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Small factories
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Warehouses
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Freelancers with offices
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Beauty salons, gyms, tuition classes
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Any commercial establishment with or without employees
🧾 Documents Required for Shop Act Registration Online
Here’s what you’ll need for the online process:
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Aadhaar card of owner
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PAN card
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Passport-size photo
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Business address proof (Electricity bill / Rent Agreement)
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Business details (Name, Type, Nature of work)
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Signature scan
For companies or partnerships, you might also need company PAN, MOA/AOA, and Partnership Deed.
🖥️ How to Apply for Shop Act Licence Online in Maharashtra (2025)
You can register through the official Aaple Sarkar portal. Here’s the step-by-step:
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Visit Aaple Sarkar website – https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
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Create your account and log in
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Search for “Shops and Establishment Registration”
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Fill up the form with business and personal details
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Upload documents
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Submit and pay the fee (if applicable – usually free for under 10 employees)
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After verification, you’ll get the licence certificate on your dashboard
📥 How to Download Shop Act Certificate Online (PDF)
Once approved, you can easily download your Shop Act certificate online in PDF format. Here’s how:
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Log in to Aaple Sarkar
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Go to My Applications > Approved Services
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Click on your application ID
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Download your Shop Act Licence PDF
Done. Keep it saved or take a printout for your office/shop wall.
📌 Shop Act Licence Fees in Maharashtra
For small shops (less than 10 employees), the registration is free of cost. But for bigger establishments, there’s a fee based on the number of employees and business category.
Also, registration is now valid for lifetime (thanks to new rules), unless you make major changes.
🕵️♂️ Shop Act Verification Maharashtra – How to Check Status?
To verify your Shop Act Licence or check status:
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Go to Aaple Sarkar or https://maitri.mahaonline.gov.in
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Use your Application ID or Business Name
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Click on Verify/Track Application
You’ll see the status, and whether your certificate is approved or pending.
🧠 Some Extra Tips
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Always double-check your address and business name — it will show on your certificate
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Keep scanned docs ready before starting
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If you plan to hire employees later, update your registration accordingly
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Shop Act is mandatory for opening a current bank account in your business name
🔎 FAQs on Shop Act Registration Maharashtra 2025
Q. Is Shop Act mandatory for freelancers?
Yes, if you have an office setup or dealing with clients commercially.
Q. Can I update my Shop Act Licence details later?
Yes, just login to Aaple Sarkar and use the Amendment option.
Q. What if my Shop Act application is rejected?
Check for incorrect documents or spelling errors, fix them, and re-apply.
Q. Can I get Shop Act licence offline?
Most cities in Maharashtra have moved to online-only system now.
📌 Final Thoughts
Doesn’t matter if you’re opening a small Kirana shop or selling stuff online through a boutique — getting your Shop Act Licence online in Maharashtra is literally your first legit step to make the business legal and trustworthy.
And with Aaple Sarkar’s online process, getting registered is honestly way easier than before.
So go ahead, finish your Shop Act Registration online, download your Shop Act licence PDF, and start building your business with confidence.