Key Takeaways

• Companies operating in Hong Kong are legally required to obtain a Certificate of Incorporation.
• The process of obtaining the Certificate of Incorporation is lengthy, as there are a lot of items you need to consider during the application, such as the form filing accuracy, company name, and the admin process of paying the government fees.
• The certificate is verified online or through hard copies certified from the Hong Kong Companies Registry.

What Is A Certificate Of Incorporation?

A certificate of incorporation is a legal certificate that shows that a company has been created. It is like a permission slip from the government that allows the company to exist.

What is Included in the Certificate Of Incorporation?

This document contains basic information about your business such as:

• Company registration number
• The official name (in both English and Chinese Traditional characters)
• Incorporation date
• Ordinance type
• Certificate type
• Company registrar’s name

Why Is The Certificate of Incorporation Important?

A certificate of incorporation is like your company’s birth certificate. It proves your identity, and that you are allowed to stay in Hong Kong and participate in Hong Kong activities. Below is a table of the similarities of a birth certificate and a certificate of incorporation, to let you understand more on how it works.

This table outlines the key similarities between the two certificates, emphasizing their roles as foundational legal documents for entities and individuals, respectively.

How To Apply For A Certificate Of Incorporation In Hong Kong?

The first 3 steps to acquire a Certificate of Incorporation in Hong Kong are rather simple.

• Selecting a company name
• Completing the application form
• Submitting the corresponding documents together with the necessary fees.

Let’s go through this step by step, which will allow you to look at the process and how it works. 

1. Selecting A Company Name 

The first thing you should do to get your Certificate of Incorporation is to select a company name that is unique. In this case, achieving a unique name adhering equally to all applicable laws and not already taken by other businesses in Hong Kong is necessary, which requires careful research.

When you decide on a name that is in line with the rules and isn’t already used, you should then submit it to the Companies Registry for validation. Do take into consideration that your Certificate of Incorporation will include both an English as well as a Traditional Chinese version of the name of your company, and this will be the official business name.

2. Application Form Completion

 After that, the next step is filing a Certificate of Incorporation application.

This phase requires the details of the company secretary and submitting the company Articles of Association, and the Business Registration Notice. As part of the requirement of incorporating a Hong Kong company, a company secretary must be appointed. 

The application form should be filled out without errors and fully informative so the process of incorporation go as swiftly and flawlessly as possible. Let alone the fact that any inaccuracies or undisclosed information will cause delays and/or rejection of your application.

 3. Submission And Fees Payment 

Once you finish the application form and get all the required certificates, it is time to submit your application and pay the necessary fee either online or in person at the Company Registrar’s office. 

The amount of the Certificate of Incorporation is subject to the way of submission, therefore, it will be better to refer to the official website of the Company Registry of Hong Kong to acquire the exact and timely information.

After you have made a successful submission and payment, the Hong Kong certificate of incorporation will be issued and you can pick it up anytime within a few business days. A Hong Kong limited liability company will now be able to operate legally with this document which shows that the company has been recognized as a newly incorporated company.

How To Collect the Certificate of Incorporation?

Collecting Hard Copy Incorporation Certificates

Collecting Electronic Incorporation Certificates

Legal Validity of Certificates

It is important to note that whether in electronic form or hard copy, the incorporation certificates have the same legal effect. This ensures that electronic certificates are just as legitimate and legally binding as physical copies, providing flexibility and convenience in handling company documentation.

Differences Between A Certificate Of Incorporation And A Business Registration Certificate

Although the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate have the same objective for the Hong Kong company, they are not the same.

Only the limited liability companies are required to file a Certificate of Incorporation to prove the establishment and registration of their business entities. The Business Registration Certificate is required for all companies running a business in profit in Hong Kong regardless of the business structure. It allows the company to get a registration number which is essentially its tax ID.

For a better grasp of the significant differences between the two, let’s take a look at their specific purpose and conditions, and the authorities that typically issue them.

Read Hong Kong Company Registration Number vs Business Registration Number

How Can I Verify The Validity Of A Certificate Of Incorporation?

You may be required to confirm the authenticity of a Certificate of Incorporation, for due diligence or just to see if the company you are considering to work with is officially registered. 

In Hong Kong, you can check by looking at the Integrated Companies Registry Information System (ICRIS) or certified copies from the Cyber Search Centre of the Companies Registry or Company Search Mobile Service.

Online Verification

Hong Kong’s online verification of the Certificate of Incorporation can be completed through the Integrated Companies Registry Information System and the Companies Registry’s online system.

ICRIS provides you with an opportunity to verify basic data related to integrated companies like their incorporation date in case there were any name changes if there were. This bilingual service provides prompt verification and delivery, so you can be certain about its validity and authenticity.

Obtaining Certified Copies

Additionally, you may also apply for a Certified Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation to verify its validity. This can be done either by electronic method or in person at the relevant office.

Moreover, the process is usually not the same in every jurisdiction, therefore you will need to visit the official website of the Hong Kong Company Registry for more details. 

Through receiving certified copies of the incorporation certificate, you also clearly possess a document to be trusted, which then makes you work with an entity conveniently.

Read What is a Certified True Copy?

How FastLane Group Can Help in Certificate of Incorporation?

Finally, grasping the fundamentals of the Hong Kong Certificate of Incorporation is crucial for businessmen and investors who are considering forming a limited liability company in Hong Kong. 

This document plays a key role in providing your enterprise with the official document of proof of its legal existence, and the process of acquiring one involves selecting a company name, flat-form completion, and submission of the required documents and fees.

FastLane Group can provide you with assistance in obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation process for your business with our experts. Contact us today for a seamless incorporation process in Hong Kong.