How can I conduct company searches?

What are the equipment requirements for conducting online company searches?

Must I be a Registered Online User in order to conduct searches?

How do I conduct company search at the Cyber Search Centre?

What are the search fees for conducting company searches?

How can I pay for the products ordered online?

Do I get any official receipt when I make an online payment?

Can I save or print the search results?

How can I obtain image records of documents?

How can I place orders for downloading image records or for certified copies of documents?

When can I download the ordered items after payment?

How long will the image records be kept in the download area?

How can I access the designated download area to download the ordered documents?

I have downloaded an image record. How can I view and print the image record?

Can I apply for certified copies of documents / reports / screen prints of search results online?

Can I apply for the original Certificate of Incorporation/Registration or Certificate of Change of Name of a local company/Certificate of Registration of Change of Corporate Name of a non-Hong Kong company if it has been lost?

When conducting a Company Name Search by using the Exact Name Search mode, can I ignore the punctuation marks and spaces between the words in the company name and words like "Company", "Limited" etc?

When conducting a Company Name Search, will the total number of records be shown in the search result screen so that I can decide whether to continue the search?

Will all documents pending registration be shown in the Document Index?

How can I identify the documents which contain the information that I require?

Can I obtain the current information of a company without acquiring the image records of each of the relevant documents?

Does the Company Particulars Search apply to all companies on the register of companies?

What information can I obtain from the Directors Index Search?

Is information on shareholders available when conducting an online database search?

What information can I get from the Register of Charges Search?

Can I obtain a statement showing the paid services used per log-in session or over a period of time?

What can I do if an image record is not available for search for reason of 'Image being held for processing'?

How can I report defective image records or discrepancies found in the search results?

Is there any time limit for online viewing of search results?

Can I view the search results again after I have exited the relevant screen?

How can I know whether the orders (other than view online or download orders) have been successfully made and how can I check the status of my orders?

What should I bring along when I collect the ordered items in person?

Where can I obtain more information on conducting company search at the Cyber Search Centre?

What are the benefits of becoming a Registered Online User?

How can I apply to become a Registered Online User?

What are the annual fees for Registered Online Users?

A Registered Online User can register a principal account and subsequent accounts. What is the difference?

A Registered Online User can make a prepayment on a voluntary basis. Is there any limit on the prepayment? Can I increase or reduce the amount of the prepayment?

How can I check my Registered Online User account balance?

As a Registered Online User, how can I check the payment records of my subsequent accounts?

In case there are insufficient funds in my Registered Online User account but I need to conduct a search immediately, what can I do?

When conducting a Company Name Search by using the Keyword search mode (for Registered Online Users only), after I have seen the first 500 records of the Keyword search results and continue to search the next 500 records, can I return to the previous page to view the first 500 records again free of charge?

How can I conduct company searches?

Customers can conduct online company searches at the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre at www.icris.cr.gov.hk or conduct on-site company searches at the Companies Registry's Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

What are the equipment requirements for conducting online company searches?

Customers conducting online searches will need a personal computer with internet access, preferably broadband connection, and equipped with Internet Explorer or Netscape. Please refer to the information sheet "Equipment Requirements" in the 'Electronic Services' – 'Electronic Search Services' section of the Companies Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk) for details.

Must I be a Registered Online User in order to conduct searches?

No. Customers who are not Registered Online Users can also conduct company searches at the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre as an Unregistered Online Users.

How do I conduct company search at the Cyber Search Centre?

After successful login to the Cyber Search Centre, you can choose the type of services from the menu bar and follow the messages and instructions appearing on the computer screen. You can also obtain more information from "Online tutorial" under "About e-Search" on the menu bar.

What are the search fees for conducting company searches?

You may make reference to the Price List in the 'Electronic Services' -'Electronic Search Services' section of the Companies Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk) or select "Service Fees" under "About e-Search" on the menu bar after you have logged on to the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre for details of the search fees payable.

How can I pay for the products ordered online?

A Registered Online User can settle the service fee with the prepayment in his account. An Unregistered Online User can effect the payment by VISA or Master card or by online payment through PPS.

Do I get any official receipt when I make an online payment?

If an online payment is successful, a digital receipt will be displayed. For Unregistered Online Users, the Order Number and the Order Enquiry Reference Number, which are displayed on the digital receipt, are required for downloading the ordered items and subsequent checking of the status of the orders made etc. The Payment Reference Number is also displayed for future checking of payment methods (if required). In view of this, please ensure that the digital receipt is either saved or printed out before exiting the relevant screen.

For Registered Online Users who pay service fees by deduction from their prepayment, there will not be any official receipt. However, a transaction acknowledgement with a transaction number will be displayed.

Can I save or print the search results?

For online users, most of search results can be saved or printed. For on-site users, search results are mainly delivered in the form of hard copies. Results of searches on indices like the Company Names Index, Document Index etc will be displayed on screen. On-site users can order hard or certified copies of the computer screen print. For online users, only a certified copy of the computer screen print can be ordered.

How can I obtain image records of documents?

For online users, image records of documents can be downloaded from the designated download area after payment of the requisite fees. The file size and number of pages of each imaged document have been included in the Document Index. You should ensure that your computer equipment and communication links can enable you to download the required documents.

For on-site users, image records of documents can only be obtained in the form of hard copies and collected at the Collection Counters of the Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices.

If, however, image records of bulky documents with more than 99 pages are ordered, the image records can only be delivered in the form of a CD-ROM. Both online and on-site users will need to collect the CD-ROM from the CR's Public Search Centre. Online users may also request for the CD-ROM to be delivered by post or by courier service subject to payment of additional handling charges.

How can I place orders for downloading image records or for certified copies of documents?

You can conduct an Image Record Search. After identifying the required document from the Document Index, you can place the selected document(s) in your Shopping Cart by clicking the appropriate "Shopping Cart" icon next to the selected document entry.

When can I download the ordered items after payment?

The ordered items can normally be downloaded from the designated download area within 10 minutes after payment.

How long will the image records be kept in the download area?

The ordered image records will be kept in the download area for seven days.

How can I access the designated download area to download the ordered documents?

You may select "Download Ordered Items" under "Shopping" on the menu bar. For Registered Online Users, an index of download orders is displayed for selection. For Unregistered Online Users, you must key in the Order Number and Order Enquiry Reference Number which are printed on the digital receipt before you can retrieve your order.

I have downloaded an image record. How can I view and print the image record?

A built-in feature is available in Microsoft Windows XP for viewing and printing image records. To view an image record, you can highlight any one of the image files saved in the directory and right-click to select "Open with" and "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer". To view the previous or the next images, you can click the navigation buttons on the tool bar. To print all the images in the image record, you can click the "Printer" icon on the tool bar and then click "Select All". For details of the steps, please refer to the "User Guide for Viewing and Printing Downloaded Image Records" at Annex I.

Can I apply for certified copies of documents / reports / screen prints of search results online?

You can order certified copies of documents, reports or screen prints of search results online. The certified copies can either be collected in person from the Companies Registry's Public Search Centre or sent to you by post or by courier subject to the payment of additional handling charges.

Can I apply for the original Certificate of Incorporation/Registration or Certificate of Change of Name of a local company/Certificate of Registration of Change of Corporate Name of a non-Hong Kong company if it has been lost?

No. The Companies Registry will not issue any duplicate of the original Certificate of Incorporation/Registration or Certificate of Change of Name/Certificate of Registration of Change of Corporate Name. Nevertheless, under section 305(1) of the Companies Ordinance, you may apply for a certificate certifying the incorporation/registration or change of name of a local/non-Hong Kong company. The date of incorporation/registration, the date of change of name or the date of registration under a new corporate name of the company, whichever applies, is stated in the certificate issued under section 305(1); and the date of issue of the certificate will be the current date on which the requisite fees are paid. If a company has changed its name several times, the Companies Registry will only issue the latest Certificate of Change of Name/Certificate of Registration of Change of Corporate Name under section 305(1). Alternatively, you may apply for a certified copy of the original certificate as in the case of other documents.

To apply for a certificate under section 305(1), you can select "Certificate issued under s.305 of Companies Ordinance" under "Product" on the menu bar. Enter the company name or the company number onto the input screen, place order for the certificate and pay the appropriate fee (HK$170 per certificate). The certificate will be ready for collection after one working day. If you are conducting online search, you may also choose to receive the ordered certificate by courier service or by post subject to the payment of additional handling charges.

When conducting a Company Name Search by using the Exact Name Search mode, can I ignore the punctuation marks and spaces between the words in the company name and words like "Company", "Limited" etc?

No. You should input the exact company name in order to get an accurate match of the company name.

When conducting a Company Name Search, will the total number of records be shown in the search result screen so that I can decide whether to continue the search?

The total number of records available will be shown on the first page of the Company Name Search result screen. For a company name search using the 'left partial search' mode, only the first 500 records will be provided. You can apply more restrictive input keys to narrow down the search result.

Will all documents pending registration be shown in the Document Index?

Yes. All the documents that have been submitted to the Companies Registry and are pending registration will be shown in the Document Index. However, the image records of the pending documents will not be available for search.

How can I identify the documents which contain the information that I require?

You can make reference to the Document Index to identify the documents that you need. Some examples of the documents filed with the Companies Registry are set out as follows for reference:-

(i)	Examples of documents relating to Incorporation / Registration / Change of Name:
	Memorandum and Articles of Association Form NC1 – Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares) Form NC1G – Incorporation Form (Company Not Limited by Shares) Certificate of Incorporation Form NC2 - Notification of Change of Company Name Certificate of Change of Name Form N1 - Particulars of a Non-Hong Kong Company Registered in Hong Kong Certificate of Registration of Non-Hong Kong Company Form N10 - Notification of Change in the Corporate Name of a Non-Hong Kong Company Certificate of Registration of Change of Corporate Name of Non-Hong Kong Company Form NC1A* – Statement of Compliance on Incorporation of a Company * applicable to applications for incorporation submitted prior to 11.7.2008
(ii)	Examples of specified forms containing information on the Registered Office address / address of a company:
	Form NC1 – Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares) Form NC1G – Incorporation Form (Company Not Limited by Shares) Form R1 - Notification of Change of Address of Registered Office (Form R1 was named as Notification of Situation of Registered Office prior to 11.7.2008) Form N1 – Particulars of a Non-Hong Kong Company Registered in Hong Kong Form N9 – Notification of Change of Address of a Non-Hong Kong Company
(iii)	Examples of specified forms containing information on Directors, Alternate Directors, Reserve Directors, Secretary and Authorized Representatives:
	Form NC1 – Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares) Form NC1G – Incorporation Form (Company Not Limited by Shares) Form D2A – Notification of Change of Secretary and Director (Appointment/ Cessation) Form D2B – Notification of Change of Particulars of Secretary and Director Form D4 – Notification of Resignation of Secretary and Director Form D5 – Notification of Reserve Director (Nomination / Cessation) Form D6 – Acceptance of Nomination as Reserve Director (Form D6 forms part of the Form D5 for reporting the nomination of reserve director) Form D7 – Notification of Change of Particulars of Reserve Director Form D8 – Notification of Resignation of Reserve Director Form N1 – Particulars of a Non-Hong Kong Company Registered in Hong Kong Form N6 – Notification of Change of Secretary and Director of a Non-Hong Kong Company (Appointment/Cessation) Form N7 – Notification of Change of Particulars of Secretary and Director of a Non-Hong Kong Company Form N8 – Notification of Change of Authorized Representative of a Non-Hong Kong Company Form D1*– Notification of First Secretary and Director Form D3* – Consent to Act as Director or Alternate Director (Form D3 forms part of the Form D1, D2 or D2A for reporting the appointment of the director) * applicable prior to 11.7.2008
(iv)	Examples of specified forms relating to Share Capital:
	Form SC1 - Return of Allotments Form SC4 - Notification of Increase in Nominal Share Capital
(v)	Examples of specified forms of Annual Return:
	Form AR1 – Annual Return (The particulars of the company in respect of its registered office, directors, secretary, reserve director (if any), share capital, shareholders and total amount of indebtedness (if any) etc., as at the made-up date of the return are reported on the Form AR1) Form AR2* – Certificate of No Change (Company having a share capital and not being a private company) Form AR3* – Certificate of No Change (Private company having a share capital) Form N3 – Annual Return of a Non-Hong Kong Company (The particulars of the company in respect of its principal place of business in Hong Kong, offices in place of incorporation, directors, secretary, authorized representative and total amount of indebtedness (if any) etc., as at the made-up date of the return are reported on the Form N3) Form N4* – Annual Return of a Non-Hong Kong Company – Certificate of No change * These returns do not contain details of the company particulars as they are only certificates certifying that there has been no change in the information required to be contained in an Annual Return since the made up date of the last Annual Return in full form, i.e. Form AR1 or Form N3. For local companies, the latest Annual Return (with a list of members), together with the relevant documents, if any, filed subsequent to that latest annual return, will in most cases present the latest information in respect of the registered office, directors, secretary, share capital, shareholders etc. of the company.
(vi)	Examples of documents relating to Dormant Company:
	SRD – Special Resolution (Dormant Company) SRCD – Special Resolution (Company ceasing to be dormant) SDD* – Statutory Declaration (Dormant Company) SDCD* – Statutory Declaration (Company ceasing to be dormant) * applicable for dormant companies or companies ceasing to be dormant prior to 13.2.2004
(vii)	Examples of specified forms relating to Mortgages and Charges:
	Form M1 - Mortgage or Charge Details Form M2 - Memorandum of Satisfaction or Release of Property from Charge
(viii)	Examples of specified forms relating to Winding up:
	Form W1 - Certificate of Solvency Form W3 - Notification of Appointment of Liquidator or Provisional Liquidator Form W4 - Notification of Changes of Particulars of Liquidator or Provisional Liquidator Form W5 - Notification of Liquidator or Provisional Liquidator Ceasing to act Form N11 - Notification of Commencement of Liquidation and Particulars of Liquidator of a Non-Hong Kong Company

Furthermore, a number of Document Groups are also provided under the Document Index Search and you may select to view the documents filed by a company by the relevant Document Group, if available. For example, by selecting the Document Group 'Directors, Secretary and Authorized Representatives', a list of all the documents reporting the appointments, resignations and changes in particulars of directors, secretaries and authorized representatives will be displayed.

Note: The prefix 'F' (stands for 'Form') is added before the short form of the specified forms listed under the Document Index.

Can I obtain the current information of a company without acquiring the image records of each of the relevant documents?

Yes. You can conduct a Company Particulars Search. The search result contains the current basic information of the company, a list of the name(s) (with identification information) of current director(s) and reserve director (if any), particulars of the secretary, address of registered office (for local companies), address of principal place of business in Hong Kong and particulars of authorized representatives (for non-Hong Kong companies), share capital, particulars of receiver and manager and liquidators (if any). You may select "Company Particulars" under "Search" on the menu bar for placing your order. The search result can be viewed online and you can also order a certified copy.

Does the Company Particulars Search apply to all companies on the register of companies?

The Company Particulars Search is applicable to all companies on the register of companies except the following :-

	Companies which had been dissolved or ceased to have a place of business in Hong Kong before 1 January 1999.
	Companies which had requested to be struck off before 1 February 1998.

What information can I obtain from the Directors Index Search?

By conducting a Directors Index Search, you can obtain a list of all current director(s) and reserve director (if any) of a company (company based search), a list of companies of which a person is currently a director or reserve director (director based search) or the particulars of a director or reserve director (if any) of a company (director particulars search).

Is information on shareholders available when conducting an online database search?

No. Companies are not required to report share transfers and changes of particulars of shareholders on a timely basis under the Companies Ordinance. In addition, the Companies Registry has not maintained a shareholders database. You can refer to the image records of Annual Returns (with a list of members) and Returns of Allotment to obtain shareholders' information.

What information can I get from the Register of Charges Search?

From the Register of Charges Search, you can obtain the index of register of charges and a list of the related documents. The index of register of charges of a specified company will display a list of all registered charges of that company. For charges registered after the implementation of the Companies Registry's Electronic Search Services on 28 February 2005, basic information such as the description of the charge instrument, date of creation or registration, name of charge etc. will also be provided. You can choose to view the description of the documents relating to a specific charge or all the charges on the Index. You may also obtain the image record(s) of the document(s) after paying the service fee(s).

Can I obtain a statement showing the paid services used per log-in session or over a period of time?

A free enquiry function is available for Registered Online Users (principal account holders only) to check their daily transaction statements and monthly statements of account. The respective charges, the opening and closing balances of the accounts are also included in the statements. Besides, a transaction listing statement showing the transaction details including the search keys and the charges for each transaction can be ordered at a cost by all users. Registered Online Users can order the transaction listing statement for a specified month up to the last three months. Unregistered Online Users and On-site Users will be asked whether they want to order this statement for the log-in session before they log out the system.

What can I do if an image record is not available for search for reason of 'Image being held for processing'?

Online users may contact the Help Desk of the e-Search Services at Tel: (852) 8201 8273; Fax: (852) 2907 0755; Email: cr.esearch@hp.com or write to the Companies Registry direct for assistance. On-site users may contact the staff at the Information Counter of the Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices and complete a form to make the search request. Documentary support, such as the screen print of the document index containing the entry with no image record, should be provided. The Companies Registry's staff will follow up and notify you of the investigation results.

How can I report defective image records or discrepancies found in the search results?

Online users may contact the Help Desk of the e-Search Services at Tel: (852) 8201 8273; Fax: (852) 2907 0755; Email: cr.esearch@hp.com or write to the Companies Registry to report the discrepancies. On-site users may report to the staff at the Information Counter of the Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices. Documentary support, such as hard copies of the image records in question, the digital receipt and digital order, should be supplied by online users. For on-site users, the relevant hard copies and the paid order form with receipt should be provided. The Companies Registry's staff will investigate and rectify the errors and notify you of the investigation results.

Is there any time limit for online viewing of search results?

While there is no time limit for viewing the search results online e.g. Company Name Search, Document Index Search etc., the system will log out if it has not detected any search action e.g. a click on any icon in 20 minutes.

Can I view the search results again after I have exited the relevant screen?

No. Once you have clicked any button or the menu bar to exit the screen displaying the search results, the system will remove the search results. If you want to keep the search results for future reference, you have to save or print the results in the first place.

How can I know whether the orders (other than view online or download orders) have been successfully made and how can I check the status of my orders?

Normally, the orders should have been successfully made when the transaction acknowledgment page (for Registered Online Users) and the digital receipt (for Unregistered Online Users) is displayed on the screen after the payment is effected.

You can use the "Order Enquiry" function to check the status of your orders. For Registered Online Users, an Order Index is displayed when the Order Enquiry function is selected. The Order Index, however, does not include orders that have been collected for more than seven days. For Unregistered Online Users, you need to input the Order Number / Transaction Number / Receipt Number / Order Form Number and Order Enquiry Reference Number which are shown on the digital receipt to check the status of your orders.

Note: Registered Online Users can select the "Order Enquiry" function under "My Account" on the menu bar. For Unregistered Online Users, the function is under "Shopping" on the menu bar.

What should I bring along when I collect the ordered items in person?

You have to print out the order form from the "Order Enquiry" function and present it at the Collection Counters of the Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices to collect the ordered items.

Where can I obtain more information on conducting company search at the Cyber Search Centre?

A set of "Demonstration on the e-Search Services" has been prepared and can be accessed under the 'Electronic Services' – 'Electronic Search Services' section of the Companies Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk). You can also make reference to the tutorial on conducting company searches at the Cyber Search Centre by selecting "Online Tutorial" under "About e-Search" on the menu bar after you have logged in to the Cyber Search Centre. Important notes on conducting searches are also available when you click the "?" icon (i.e. the Help icon) under the system clock in the header of each search function and the "?" icon by the side of the input fields.

What are the benefits of becoming a Registered Online User?

A Registered Online User can enjoy the following benefits:-

How can I apply to become a Registered Online User?

You can submit an online application through the hyperlink on the front page of the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre (www.icris.cr.gov.hk). You can also submit the application form to the Companies Registry by post after obtaining the application form from the 'Electronic Services' - 'Electronic Search Services' section of the Companies Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk). An email notification of commencement of services will be sent to you after the Companies Registry has received the completed application form and the payment of the initial annual fee.

What are the annual fees for Registered Online Users?

An annual fee of HK$500 for a principal account and HK$100 for a subsequent account will be charged. The initial annual fee will be calculated on a pro-rata daily basis.

A Registered Online User can register a principal account and subsequent accounts. What is the difference?

An online user can register with the Registrar of Companies as a Registered Online User and a principal account will be assigned to him. A Registered Online User can apply for additional subsequent accounts and assign them to different users in his organisation. A maximum of 15 subsequent accounts are allowed for one principal account. The principal account holder can submit his application online to increase the number of his subsequent accounts through the function "Maintain Subsequent Account Login and Password" under "My Account" on the menu bar.

A Registered Online User can make a prepayment on a voluntary basis. Is there any limit on the prepayment? Can I increase or reduce the amount of the prepayment?

As a Registered Online User, you are entirely free to set your own prepayment levels. You can submit an online request for Increase in Prepayment and effect the prepayments by online payment through PPS, or present your payment together with the payment advice at the Shroff Office of the Companies Registry's Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices. You may also make the prepayment by direct internet bank transfer (from the bank accounts of the HSBC, Hang Seng Bank and member banks of JETCO). You may use the "Online Request" function under "My Account" on the menu bar to submit the request.

You can also submit an online request for Decrease in Prepayment to reduce the amount of prepayment. Once you have submitted an online request, your available account balance will be adjusted accordingly. The reduced amount (in the form of a cheque) will be sent to you by post after the request has been processed. You may use the "Online Request" function under "My Account" on the menu bar to submit the request.

How can I check my Registered Online User account balance?

The available account balance will be displayed on each screen. In addition, there is an enquiry function "Enquiry for Account Balance" for you to check the account balance.

As a Registered Online User, how can I check the payment records of my subsequent accounts?

The monthly Statement of Account will show the transaction breakdowns of each subsequent account. Conversely, you may use the function "Payment Summary" to check their daily transactions. In addition, you may order the Transaction Listing Statement of a specified month to check the detailed transaction records, including the search keys used.

In case there are insufficient funds in my Registered Online User account but I need to conduct a search immediately, what can I do?

When the account balance is used up, you can top up the prepayment by online means through PPS or by direct internet bank transfer (from the bank accounts of the HSBC, Hang Seng Bank and member banks of JETCO). Conversely, you can login as an Unregistered Online User and pay the Unregistered Online User charges to continue the searches.

When conducting a Company Name Search by using the Keyword search mode (for Registered Online Users only), after I have seen the first 500 records of the Keyword search results and continue to search the next 500 records, can I return to the previous page to view the first 500 records again free of charge?

No. You can save or print out the results first before you proceed to search the next 500 records. As the first 500 records have already been delivered and the transaction has been completed, you cannot go back to view them again once you have proceeded to search the next 500 records.