How to verify a GSTIN and track your GST application status

A GSTIN appears on every tax invoice, and the credit you claim depends on it being right. Checking one takes a minute on the GST portal, and you do not need to log in.

What a GSTIN contains

A GSTIN is 15 characters long. For example, in 07AAAAA0000A1Z5:

Position	Meaning
1 to 2	State code (07 is Delhi)
3 to 12	PAN of the registrant
13	Number of registrations the same PAN holds in that state
14	Z by default
15	Check character

Because the PAN is embedded, you can see at a glance whether the GSTIN belongs to the same PAN the supplier gave you.

How to verify a GSTIN

1. Open the GST portal and go to Search Taxpayer.
2. Choose Search by GSTIN/UIN.
3. Enter the GSTIN and the captcha.
4. Read the result: legal name, trade name, constitution of business, date of registration, taxpayer type and status.

Check that the status is Active. A cancelled or suspended registration cannot be used to charge tax, and credit on invoices raised after cancellation is at risk.

Check whether the supplier files returns

The same Search Taxpayer area has a return filing status view, which shows whether the supplier filed returns for recent periods. A supplier that does not file GSTR-1 leaves your invoices missing from your GSTR-2B, so the credit does not appear.

Track a GST registration application

After you submit the registration application, the portal gives you an Application Reference Number (ARN).

1. On the GST portal, choose Services, then Registration, then Track Application Status.
2. Enter the ARN and the captcha.
3. Read the status.

The common statuses are:

Status	What it means	What to do
Pending for processing	The application is queued	Wait
Pending for verification	The officer is reviewing	Wait; keep documents ready
Notice issued (REG-03)	The officer asked for clarification	Reply within the time on the notice
Approved	Registration granted	Download the certificate (REG-06)
Rejected	The application was refused	Read the order, then reapply or appeal

Tips for businesses

• Keep a record of each supplier's GSTIN and verify new ones before the first payment.
• Check trade name and legal name against the invoice you receive.
• Ask for a corrected invoice if the GSTIN on it is wrong. You cannot easily fix credit later.
• Re-verify long-standing suppliers each year, because registrations are cancelled and revived.

For how the data flows into your returns, read GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B. If you do not yet have a GSTIN, start with GST registration online, and see the glossary for GSTIN, ARN and ITC.