Choose a company type

Before incorporating a company, choose the type of company that best suits your company's purposes.

Company limited by shares - the liability of its members is limited by its memorandum of association to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them. (For reference only: Most limited companies are companies limited by shares.)

Company limited by guarantee - the liability of its members is limited by its memorandum of association to such amount as the members respectively undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up. (For reference only: Non-profit-making organisations are usually registered as companies limited by guarantee.)

Then, choose a name for the company. Generally speaking, the name will be accepted for registration if it is not the same as a name appearing in the index of company names kept by the Registrar of Companies.

A company name search may be conducted free of charge through our Cyber Search Centre or our Company Search Mobile Service or at our Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices. Use the "Exact Name Search" mode and input the full and exact company name that you intend to register.

Please refer to the "Company Names Guidelines" (pdf Format) for the points to note when choosing a company name.

It should also be borne in mind that a company name that may infringe the intellectual property rights (IPR) of a third party should not be adopted. Infringement of the IPR of others may attract criminal or civil sanctions, either in Hong Kong or elsewhere. A search in the Trademark Register (http://ipsearch.ipd.gov.hk) maintained by the Intellectual Property Department should also be conducted.

Submit the incorporation documents with the required fees to the Registry's Shroff on the 14th floor of the Queensway Government Offices. You may also submit the documents and fees electronically through the Registry's electronic service portal e-Registry.The incorporation documents include:

Collect or download the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate (the Certificates). The Certificates will be issued by the Registry in paper form for paper submission and in electronic form for electronic submission. Certificates in paper or electronic form have the same legal effect.

Electronic submission

Electronic Certificates can normally be issued within 1 hour for private companies limited by shares. Email notifications for download of the Certificates will be sent to the message box and registered email address of users.

Paper submission

Certificates for companies limited by shares can normally be issued in 4 working days. Applicants or presentors will be notified by fax when the Certificates are ready for collection. The Certificates have to be collected in person at the Companies Registry. A written authorisation will be required if the presentor sends a representative to collect the Certificates.

For details, please refer to the following information pamphlets:

Submit the following documents with the appropriate fees to the Registry's Shroff on the 14th floor of the Queensway Government Offices:

Collect the Certificate of Registration of Non-Hong Kong Company and the Business Registration Certificate^Note. The Certificate(s) can normally be issued in 14 working days after the submission of the application. Applicants or presentors will be notified by fax when the Certificates are ready for collection. The Certificates have to be collected in person at the Companies Registry. A written authorisation will be required if the presentor sends a representative to collect the Certificates.

Note: The Business Registration Certificate will only be issued to a non-Hong Kong company which has not yet registered its business under the Business Registration Ordinance.

Choose a name for the company. Generally speaking, the name will be accepted for registration if it is not the same as a name appearing in the index of company names kept by the Registrar of Companies.

A company name search may be conducted free of charge through our Cyber Search Centre or our Company Search Mobile Service or at our Public Search Centre on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices. Use the "Exact Name Search" mode and input the full and exact company name that you intend to register.

Please refer to the "Company Names Guidelines" (pdf Format) for the points to note when choosing a company name.

It should also be borne in mind that a company name that may infringe the intellectual property rights (IPR) of a third party should not be adopted. Infringement of the IPR of others may attract criminal or civil sanctions, either in Hong Kong or elsewhere. A search in the Trademark Register (http://ipsearch.ipd.gov.hk) maintained by the Intellectual Property Department should also be conducted.

The company has to pass a Special Resolution (SR) to change the company name. The SR need not be submitted to the Registry for filing but a Form NC2 "Notification of Change of Company Name" should be submitted together with the appropriate fee within 15 days after the passing of the SR to the Registry on the 14th floor of the Queensway Government Offices.You may also submit the form and fee electronically through the Registry's electronic service portal e-Registry.

Collect or download the Certificate of Change of Name. The Certificate will be issued in paper form for paper submission and in electronic form for electronic submission. Certificates in paper or electronic form have the same legal effect.

Electronic submission

Electronic Certificate of Change of Name can normally be issued within 1 hour. An email notification for download of the Certificate will be sent to the message box and registered email address of the user.

Paper submission

A Certificate of Change of Name can normally be issued in 4 working days. The company or presentor of the form NC2 will be notified by fax when the Certificate is ready for collection. The Certificate has to be collected in person at the Companies Registry. A written authorisation will be required if the presentor sends a representative to collect the Certificate.

Submit the following documents with the appropriate fees to the Shroff on the 14th floor of the Queensway Government Offices:

Collect the Certificate of Registration of Change of Corporate Name of Non-Hong Kong Company. The Certificate can normally be issued in 7 working days. Applicants or presentors will be notified by fax when the Certificates are ready for collection. The Certificates have to be collected in person at the Companies Registry. A written authorisation will be required if the presentor sends a representative to collect the Certificates.

Registered local and non-Hong Kong companies are required to submit Annual Returns and other statutory documents to the Companies Registry for registration. Documents must be signed and submitted together with the correct fees (if applicable) within the prescribed time periods.

Information of companies and body corporates registered under the following ordinances are available for search electronically:

Search on registered particulars of licensed money lenders can be conducted during service hours at the following address :

Apply for a written notice of no objection from the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. Application form IR 1263 can be downloaded from the Inland Revenue Department's website.

Submit the following documents together with the required fees to the Companies Registry on the 14th floor of the Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong: