Companies Registry

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HIGHLIGHT

Common Seal is now Optional

The new Companies Ordinance simplifies the mode of execution of documents by companies. The keeping and use of common seal is now optional.

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions - Common Seal Section at the Companies Registry’s website for more details.

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HIGHLIGHT

Delivery of Annual Returns under the Companies Ordinance

Every company is required to deliver annual returns to the Registrar of Companies for registration.

Delivery of annual return by a public company or a guarantee company in respect of the company’s financial year that begins on or after 3 March 2014 must comply with the new requirements under the new Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Public Company or a Company Limited by Guarantee” for details.

There is no change in the requirement for a private company to deliver annual returns. Please refer to the information pamphlet on “Annual Return of a Local Private Company” for details.

Please note:- Substantially higher registration fees are payable for late delivery of annual returns.

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HIGHLIGHT

New Licensing Regime for Trust or Company Service Providers and Keeping of Significant Controllers Registers by Companies

With effect from 1 March 2018, a new licensing regime for trust or company service providers has come into operation. Any person who carries on or wishes to carry on a trust or company service business in Hong Kong is required to apply for a licence from the Registrar of Companies. In addition, the new requirement for companies to ascertain and maintain up-to-date information on beneficial ownership by way of keeping a Significant Controllers Register was implemented on the same day.

For details, please refer to Companies Registry External Circular No. 1/2018 and Companies Registry External Circular No. 2/2018.

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NOTICE

Companies Registry to provide limited counter services starting from 20 July

To align with the special work arrangement announced by the Government on 19 July to provide emergency services and essential public services starting from 20 July in order to significantly reduce the flow of people and social contacts to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community,  the Companies Registry will provide limited counter services on every working day of the week starting from 20 July for receiving documents delivered in hard copy and collection of certificates for company incorporations until further notice.  Details of the limited counter services are set out in Annex.

To achieve social distancing with a view to reducing the risk of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community, the Registry urges its customers to continue to deliver documents electronically or by post. Customers should avoid visiting the Registry’s office premises unless they require urgent service.  The Registry’s services on registration of documents and public search services will continue to be provided electronically through the “e-Registry” (www.eregistry.gov.hk), "Cyber Search Centre" (www.icris.cr.gov.hk) and the website of the Registry for Trust and Company Service Providers (www.tcsp.cr.gov.hk).  Details of the Registry’s electronic services are also set out in Annex.

The waiting time of the counter services provided at the Registry’s offices will be longer as the provision of services will be scaled down.  The Registry will also take longer time to process the documents submitted in hard copy form. We apologise that the standard performance pledges are not applicable to our services during this limited service period.

For enquiries, please call 2867 2600 or contact us at email: crenq@cr.gov.hk.