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The Companies Registry updated 117 new CR forms on December 27, 2023. This article shares a tutorial on how to complete the new Companies Registry forms, analyzes the differences between the new and old documents, and outlines precautions for filing new CR forms and the expiration dates for old forms. It also teaches you how to distinguish whether to fill in the Business Registration Number (BRN) or the Company Registration Number (CI Number).
Extended Reading: NAR1 Annual Return Tutorial | NNC1 Form Filling Tutorial
Transition Period for New Companies Registry Forms
1. New Companies Registry forms must be used starting June 27, 2024
2. Only new incorporation forms accepted from January 25, 2024
From January 25, 2024, the new Companies Registry incorporation forms must be used for company formation documents:
NNC1 Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares)
NNC1G Incorporation Form (Company Not Limited by Shares)
NNC5 Application for Registration of an Eligible Company
NN1 Application for Registration of a Non-Hong Kong Company
Source: Companies Registry
Related Articles:[Company Formation Process] Steps and Costs for Setting Up Unlimited/Limited Companies in Hong Kong | Complete Guide
3. New CR forms must be submitted
The Companies Registry will reject old CR forms and return them to the submitter. The Companies Registry also provides an online submission platform; please visit: Companies Registry e-Services.
How to identify the latest version of a Companies Registry form?
At the bottom left of every page of a Companies Registry document, there is a Specification No.
Old Companies Registry Form: The number at the bottom left is *Specification No. 1/2022 (October 2022)
Latest Companies Registry Form: The number at the bottom left is *Specification No. 1/2023 (December 2023)*
How to fill in the Companies Registry form number? Should I enter the Business Registration Number (BRN) or the Company Registration Number (CI Number)?
You should fill in the “BRN” or “CI Number” according to the form’s requirements. Since there is a grace period for the update, you only need to follow the specific instructions on the form during the transition. Do not be confused by the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) measures or repeat different document numbers. Generally, follow these methods to report the “BRN” or “CI Number”:
↓ For new Companies Registry forms, the box at the top right will clearly state to fill in the Business Registration Number “BRN”
How to fill in the “BRN” Business Registration Number?
If the form specifies the “BRN,” enter the first 8 digits of your Business Registration Certificate. Note that it is only the first 8 digits; the trailing 000 or 001 should not be included. Furthermore, if the document specifies the “BRN,” you absolutely do not need to repeat the Companies Registry (CI) number.
Example: In the latest Annual Return, the top right corner of every page requires the “BRN” (Business Registration Number), which is the first 8 digits of the Business Registration Certificate.
Download Common Latest Companies Registry Forms (CR Form Download)
| NAR1 | Annual Return | Download |
| NNC1 | Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares) | Download |
| NNC3 | Consent to Act as First Director | Download |
| NNC2 | Notice of Change of Company Name | Download |
| NR1 | Notice of Change of Address of Registered Office | Download |
| ND2A | Notice of Change of Company Secretary and Director (Appointment/Cessation) | Download |
| ND4 | Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director | Download |
| ND2B | Notice of Change in Particulars of Company Secretary and Director | Download |
| NSC1 | Return of Allotment | Download |
| NDR1 | Application for Deregistration of a Private Company or a Company Limited by Guarantee | Download |
Summary:
Filling in the wrong CR form number will lead to the rejection of documents or incorporation applications. It is recommended that company officers appoint a professional secretarial firm to handle Companies Registry documents and forms. Aspiring entrepreneurs are also advised to appoint a professional company registration agent to handle incorporation procedures.
General Accounting has been established for over 20 years and provides Company Secretarial Services (Trust or Company Service Provider License No.: TC002940). If you have any questions regarding BRN / CI numbers, our professional customer service managers can provide a free preliminary inquiry for Companies Registry forms.
Further reading:
