--- title: Sole Proprietorship or Individual slug: business-phone-system/sole-proprietorship-or-individual docTags: createdAt: 2026-10-13T07:19:28.915Z --- Use this guide to complete business verification (KYC) for a Sole Proprietorship or an Individual. You will confirm your PAN, upload a business certificate, select a GST number, and send a verification link to yourself as the authorised signatory. The process takes about 3 to 5 minutes. All screenshots show masked data. Your screens show your own details. ## Before you start Keep these items ready: - Your personal PAN (10 characters). This is the PAN of the individual who owns the business. - One business certificate as a PDF, JPG, or PNG. The maximum file size is 10 MB. The portal accepts a Shop & Establishment Certificate, an Udyam/MSME Certificate, or a Trade License. - The GST number for billing, if you are registered for GST. If not, keep your GST exemption proof ready (PDF, JPG, or PNG, maximum 10 MB). - Your mobile number or email address. The verification link goes to you. :::BlockQuote **Note:** Upload a clear, single-sided copy of the certificate. The portal reads the trade name and registered address from it. ::: ## Step 1 of 3: Confirm the PAN 1. Sign in to the Exotel portal. In the left menu, go to **My Account > Company Info**. 2. Click **Start Business Verification**. If an earlier verification is saved, click **Continue where you left off**. 3. On the **Verify your PAN** screen, enter your 10-character PAN in the **PAN Number** field. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/5JYrLIvLW3veXRBVHUY7f_upload.png) 4. Read the PAN safety notice and the consent notice below the field, then click **Verify PAN**. 5. Check your name on the **Is this your business?** screen. The entity type shows **individual**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/a04UaMTD2OMWbtdPOMaar_upload.png) 6. If the name is correct, click **Yes, Continue**. ## Step 2 of 3: Confirm the business details ### Upload the business certificate 1. On the **Business details** screen, click the upload area and select your certificate. The screen asks for the front side only. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/siYtPthIu9yi-ZEaW0OEI_upload.png) 2. Wait while the portal reads the certificate. The portal fills in the **Business name**, **Registered address**, **State**, and **Pincode** fields. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/wi9QKmiNya3KbVYyQIQ0W_upload.png) 3. Check each field. Correct any value that is wrong. 4. Select **I confirm these details match my certificate**. 5. Click **Verify & Continue**. ### Select the GST number 1. On the **Billing Details** screen, select the GSTIN for this account's billing. Each GSTIN shows its state and an **Active** label. To see more GSTINs, click **+ more GSTINs**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/FL8CQxJn6Udagd2SPtU4t_upload.png) 2. Click **Continue**. ### If the portal finds no GST numbers If no GSTIN is registered for the PAN, the **Billing Details** screen shows the message "No registered GSTINs found for this entity. Please upload exemption certificate." 1. Upload your GST exemption proof as a PDF, JPG, or PNG. The maximum file size is 10 MB. Click the upload area, or drag the file onto it. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/cV6n_HKV414qvQbF6ldCk_upload.png) 2. Click **Continue**. :::BlockQuote **Note:** If the GST details are wrong, click **GST details look wrong? Help me verify** to ask for help. ::: ## Step 3 of 3: Send the verification link For a Sole Proprietorship or an Individual, the authorised signatory is the individual whose PAN you verified in Step 1. You do not choose a different person. :::BlockQuote **Caution:** Use a mobile number or email address that you own. The link is for the proprietor only. ::: 1. On the **Authorised Signatory** screen, find your name. The label **Proprietor / Owner** appears under it. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/XZOc8JegVabRAcJWvSPo__upload.png) 2. Click **Send KYC**. 3. Enter a mobile number, an email address, or both. You need at least one. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/P4XwfFJWgdZIWHaW53DNV_upload.png) 4. Click **Send KYC Link**. The link is sent by SMS, email, or both. You complete the verification from the link. You do not need to sign in to your Exotel account. ## Troubleshooting | Message or situation | Cause | Action | | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | "Enter a valid 10-character PAN" | The PAN format is incorrect. | Check the PAN and enter it again. | | "This PAN is inactive in tax records" | The PAN is deactivated. | Click **Help Me Verify**. | | "File must be under 10 MB" | The certificate file is too large. | Compress the file or scan it at a lower resolution. | | "Please upload a PDF, JPG, or PNG" | The file format is not supported. | Convert the file to a supported format. | | The portal fills in wrong values | The scan read the certificate incorrectly. | Correct the values in the fields before you confirm. | | The portal cannot read the certificate | The scan failed. | Enter the details manually. | | "No GST numbers found for this PAN" | No GST registration is linked to the PAN. | Upload your GST exemption proof. | | A PAN or GST service is unavailable | The government service is temporarily down. | Click **Try Again**. After 3 failed tries, click **Help me verify**. | Your progress is saved. You do not need to start again. For other help, click **Help me verify**. The onboarding team contacts you within 24 hours. ## Next steps After you send the link, the **Company Info** page shows the verification status. See KYC Verification Indian Accounts for the status descriptions.