Register An Offshore Company: What is Required?

The registration process for offshore companies can be a bit tedious at times, but it's nothing more than following a basic process that is fairly similar to that of most domestic companies. Naturally there are some differences, since it is a different business entity. There are usually registration agents readily available in all jurisdictions to assist you in the process for a price, but you may or may not want to hire an agent based on how comfortable you feel engaging in the process without professional assistance.

Regardless of what offshore company jurisdiction you select you will want (and in some cases be assigned) a representative agent who will handle all registration communication between you and the actual registrar offices. In most cases an attorney will handle these communications on your behalf in the country where you are incorporating your company. Don't expect that every country will be able to provide you with an English speaking registration agent. Having a lawyer working for you will be invaluable to streamlining the process and getting you registered as quickly as possible.

When incorporating your offshore company there are from 4 to 7 important documents that you will want to have created depending on the type and size of company you are setting up. These documents are;

Certificate of Incorporation, Limited Power of Attorney by Notary and Apostille (upon request), Memorandum and Articles of Association, Minutes of the first registration meeting (if there was one), Set of certified copies of all primary documents by Notary and Apostille, Share Certificates (should there be any) and Share stock transfer form / declaration (should there be any).

Interestingly enough, many jurisdictions have registration "packets" ready to be filled out and turned in to the authorities. Of course, there is no end to the companies online on the internet that will gladly take your money and assist you in the registration process, all from the convenience of your chair at your desk.

Once you have your offshore company registered the companies' official documents will require certification in the country where you plan to do business with your IBC. Many IBC's do not allow you to use them for business in the same country they were registered with the big exception being Panama. Usually a notary is enlisted for this service and in some cases an Apostille procedure is also involved. If no apostille is avaiable you will need to take the documents to an embassy or consulate in the target country.

What this 2nd Tier Certification amounts to is basically the same thing as a witness to a notary. The signature of the person conducting the initial local certification is confirmed by a 2nd level certification stamp. This stamp is referred to as Apostille and a designated government office, such as a Foreign Affairs office, is usually the issuing party. And just like with an automobile registration, this process is very similar in that it is renewable every year pursuant to the original date of registration in your documents.

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