How to Verify a SEBI Registration Number in 2 Minutes: A Step-by-Step Check Before You Pay Any Adviser
- November 11, 2026
- Posted by: Ankit Jaiswal
- Category: Market
Search by name or number on SEBI’s registered intermediaries list. INH is research analyst, INA investment adviser, INZ stock broker. Check validity, contact details and website match.
Quick Answer
To verify a SEBI registration number, open the regulator’s official website, go to the registered intermediaries section, pick the right category and search by name or number. Confirm that the entity name, website and contact details match what you were given, and that the registration is currently valid. A certificate image sent over chat proves nothing, because fake certificates are easy to produce.
You can verify a SEBI registration number in about two minutes, and it is the single most useful habit an investor can build before paying for stock research or advice. Fraudsters rely on the fact that most people never check.
This step-by-step guide shows how to check SEBI registration, where to search, how to read the result, and what a mismatch means. The same method lets you verify SEBI registration for research analysts, investment advisers and brokers alike.
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How Do You Verify a SEBI Registration Number?
The check is done by searching the number on the registered intermediaries list on SEBI’s official website and matching the result to the person or firm in front of you. If the name, category, validity and contact details all match, the registration is real. If anything differs, the offer is unverified.
Step-by-Step: Check SEBI Registration Online
- Ask the person or firm for the full registration number and the exact legal name of the entity.
- Open the regulator’s official website by typing the address yourself, not by tapping a link someone sent you.
- Go to the section for intermediaries or market infrastructure institutions and open the list of registered intermediaries.
- Select the category that matches the service: research analyst, investment adviser or stock broker.
- Search by name or by registration number to verify SEBI registration and open the entry.
- Compare the legal name, registration number, validity period, address, email and website with what you were told.
- If the entry matches, contact the firm only through the details shown on the official page, and not through numbers in a chat.
What the INH, INA and INZ Prefixes Tell You
| Prefix | Category | Typical service |
|---|---|---|
| INH | Research analyst | Published research and recommendations |
| INA | Investment adviser | Personalised advice for a fee |
| INZ | Stock broker | Trade execution and brokerage |
The prefix must match the service. A SEBI registered adviser selling personalised portfolio advice should hold an INA registration, not an INH one. A firm that only holds a broker registration should not be selling paid stock tips as its own advice.
Details to Match Once You Open the Entry
- Legal name: it should match the name on the website, invoice and payment account.
- Registration status: confirm that the registration is valid and has not expired or been cancelled.
- Contact details: the registered email, phone number and address should be the ones shown on the official page.
- Website: the domain you are dealing with should be the one the intermediary has disclosed.
- Payment account: fees should go to an account in the firm’s name, not to a personal UPI ID.
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Warning Signs of a Fake SEBI Certificate
A fake SEBI certificate usually shows a real-looking logo and a number copied from a genuine firm. The giveaway is a mismatch, for example a different company name against the same number, or a number that does not appear on the list at all. Some fraudsters also use names that sound similar to registered firms, changing a single word.
Registered entities are directed to use a dedicated 1600 series number for investor calls and messages. A regular mobile number or an overseas WhatsApp number claiming to represent a registered firm is a strong red flag, however polished the certificate looks.
What If the Registration Is Real but Something Feels Wrong?
A real registration does not mean every claim made by the person is true. Check that the offer matches the registered activity, that no returns are guaranteed and that fees are disclosed in writing. Impersonation is common, so verify the registration against the person: a genuine number may be quoted by someone who has no connection with the firm. Call the firm on the number shown on the official page and ask whether the person works for them.
Why Verification Matters Even for Small Amounts
A SEBI registration check costs nothing, yet small amounts become large quickly in a fraud, because the first payment is rarely the last. A group that takes Rs 2,999 for a “starter plan” often returns with a request for Rs 25,000 for a “premium plan” and then for a deposit into a trading app. Verification before the first rupee is far less costly than any effort to recover money afterwards.
Even for a SEBI registered adviser, checking helps you understand what you are buying. A research analyst registered on the list tells you the service is research, so you know to decide position size and timing yourself, perhaps while watching Nifty 50 and Sensex for the broader trend.
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Conclusion
To verify a SEBI registration number, search the official list yourself, match every detail and use only the contact information shown there. The check to verify SEBI registration costs nothing and takes minutes.
Make it a rule that no money moves until you verify SEBI registration, the prefix matches the service and the payment goes to an account in the firm’s own name.
Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information. These may or may not be accurate. Please verify all data independently before making any investment decision. Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check SEBI registration of an adviser?
Ans. Open the regulator’s official website, go to the registered intermediaries section, choose the category such as research analyst or investment adviser, and search by name or registration number. Match the name, validity and contact details to what you were given.
What does INH mean in a SEBI registration number?
Ans. INH stands for the research analyst category. A firm with an INH number is registered to publish research reports and recommendations, but not to give personalised investment advice.
What does INA mean in a SEBI registration number?
Ans. INA is the prefix for investment advisers, who give personalised advice and financial planning for a fee under the Investment Advisers Regulations.
Can I trust a SEBI certificate sent on WhatsApp?
Ans. No. A fake SEBI certificate looks real because it is edited or copied from a genuine firm, so always search the registration number yourself on the regulator’s website instead of relying on a document sent in chat.
What should I do if the registration number is not found?
Ans. Do not pay or share personal details. Ask the person to confirm the exact legal name and number, then check SEBI registration again, and if it still does not appear treat the offer as unregistered and report it.
Is a SEBI registered adviser guaranteed to make me profit?
Ans. No. Registration means the entity is regulated and accountable, but it does not guarantee returns. Registered advisers cannot promise profits and markets can move against any recommendation.
Where can I complain about a fake adviser?
Ans. You can file a complaint on SEBI’s investor complaint system, report financial fraud on the national cyber crime helpline 1930 or the cyber crime portal, and inform your bank if you made a payment.
