Renewal Procedure of FCRA Registration

The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups, trusts and Non-governmental organizations which intend to receive foreign donations. The foreign contribution regulation act (FCRA) has come in 2010. In order to receive a foreign contribution, one has to get registered under the FCRA. The FCRA was enacted with the primary purpose of regulating the inflow of foreign contributions and ensuring that the received foreign contributions are not utilized for purposes other than those specified under the legislation. In this article, you will know about the Renewal Procedure of FCRA Registration.

FCRA 2010 calls for renewal of FCRA registration every five years. The certificate of registration under Section 12 required to be renewed within six months before the expiry of the period of the certificate.

FCRA Renewal Procedure-

The application for renewal of the certificate shall be made to the Central Government in Form FC -3C. The Central Government shall renew the certificate, ordinarily within ninety days from the date of receipt of application for renewal of certificate subject to such terms and conditions as it may deem fit and grant a certificate of renewal for a period of five years.

The renewal application is to be filed online (https://fcraonline.nic.in login) in Form FC-3c.

Details Required for filling Form FC-3C-

1. Details of the applicant/person/association: Provide organization’s address and contact information here.

2. Details of Registration: Provide here basic details such as

• Name of act (i.e. the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the Indian Trust Act, 1882, the Companies Act, 1956 / Companies Act, 2013) under which the person/association is registered
• Number, date and place of registration:
• PAN (Permanent Account Number) of the person/association:
• Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act registration number and date (in case of renewal):
• Amount of foreign contribution received during last three financial years:

3. Nature of person/association: (a) religious (b) cultural (c) economic (d) educational (e) social

4. Main aim(s) and object(s) of the person/association:

5. Office Bearers:

• Give details of all office bearers or directors or other key functionaries of the person/association.
• Additional details are needed for foreigners on board (including PIO or OCI).
• Details of changed key functionaries on account of addition/ deletion/ removal/ resignation/ death etc., vis-à-vis the original application.

6. Amount of fee paid (Rs.):

7. Profile of Board Members: The form asks for information about any past convictions or prosecutions against any Board member.

8. Branch, Unit or Associate: If your organization is a branch, unit or an associate of a foreign organization, then disclosure is required.

9. Bank Account Details:

(a) Details of “FCRA Account” for receipt of foreign contribution

(b) Details of all utilisation bank accounts for utilisation of foreign contribution (To be filled by applicant applying for renewal of registration)

10. Granted Prior Permission: The form asks for information about granted prior permission in past to receive foreign contribution, number and date of sanction.

11. Applied for Registration: The form asks for information about the person/association had applied for registration under the FCRA Act, 1976 or FCRA, 2010 in the past or has close links with any another person/association, which has been refused registration, prohibited from accepting Foreign contribution.

-Declaration & undertaking: Declare that the information furnished above is true and correct.

-Proforma “AA” (Affidavit): To be executed by each office bearer and key functionary and member individually on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.10/- and attested by a Notary Public or 1st Class Magistrate.

Required documents for uploading in Renewal of Registration (FC-3C)

-Final Submission: After uploading the documents, preview the form using ‘Final Submit’ tab. If all the details show up correctly, click on ‘Final Submit’ button. You cannot change the form after this.

-Payment of Fee: Fee of Rs. 5000/- is to be paid online through payment gateway, after the form has been submitted online.

Quick Questions on Renewal Procedure of FCRA Registration:

1. What if FCRA renewal application is rejected by the Central Government?

Ans: If the renewal application will be rejected by the Ministry of Home affairs, then the foreign contribution and assets created out of the foreign contribution in the custody of person/association vest to the *prescribed authority and after that authority will utilise and manage the foreign contribution and assets as per the direction of the central government.

*“Prescribed authority” means an authority specified as such by rules made by the central government under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

2.  Can a person/association apply again for FCRA Registration?

Ans: Yes, You can apply for fresh FCRA registration again.

3. Can a person/association utilise the foreign contribution till the date of FCRA renewal application is not rejected by the Central Government?

Ans: Yes, the registered person/association can utilise the foreign contribution till the date of FCRA renewal application is not rejected by the Central Government.

4. How to check FCRA Renewal application status?

Ans: Status of pending applications for renewal may be checked online at FCRA online services using MHA File number (it’s mentioned in payment receipt).

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Disclaimer: Though full efforts have been made to state the interpretations correctly, yet the author is not responsible / liable for any loss or damage caused to anyone due to any mistake / error / omissions.