Search and document delivery at a glance
- Fees at a glance
- Name selection free; detailed access paid
- Access
- Public entry; payment and contact details for records
Choose the right register
CARS means Corporate Administrative Registry Services. The public portal at pub.rgd.gov.bs is distinct from CARS Business. CARS Business targets Financial & Corporate Service Providers, commercial providers of company services. [1] [5]
Names and abbreviations explained
- CARSCorporate Administrative Registry Services
- Official platform for company search, registry procedures and document services. [5] [1]
- IBCInternational Business Company
- Company under the International Business Companies Act. Some document fees differ from those for regular companies. [4] [6] [7]
- Authorisation CodeOfficial document verification code
- Used with the Entity File Number for online verification. According to the verification form, it is below the QR code at the bottom right of the document. [1]
Search step by step
From a name to time-limited registry access
Open Company Search
Open “Online Public Services” and select the arrow beside “Company Search”. Enter at least six characters of the company name, then choose the matching name from the suggestions. This name selection does not require an account or payment. [2] [1]
Choose the entity and check former names
Select the entity using the arrow in its row. Search Company from Name Histories includes historical names. The free selection list displays names only; further records are behind the subsequent access step. [2]
Choose an access duration
“Number of Hours” sets the access period for the chosen company record, from one to 48 hours. Enter your contact details to see the final price before ordering. [2]
Check contact information and payment amount
ADD CONTACT DETAILS requires first name, last name and email. NIB Number was not marked mandatory in the blank form. The receipt and access token are to be emailed. The form then provides for CAPTCHA and payment. No contact details were submitted and no paid access was purchased. [2]
Verify an official document after receipt
VERIFY DOCUMENT requires the numeric Entity File Number and case-sensitive Authorisation Code. Guidance locates the number at the top right and the code below the QR code at the bottom right. This is distinct from general company search. [1]
Documents and fees
| Document / information | Contents and purpose | Fee | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time-limited company-record access [3] [2] | Further company records after selecting a name. | Service page: $100 per search; confirm duration and final order price | Choose the CARS service and check entitlement; confirm currency and current fee before payment. |
| Certified incorporation certificate copy [6] [7] [4] | Separate official document; distinguish regular company and IBC. | 50 $ | Choose the CARS service and check entitlement; confirm currency and current fee before payment. |
| IBC Certificate of Good Standing [7] [4] | Separate status certificate for an International Business Company. | 50 $ | Choose the CARS service and check entitlement; confirm currency and current fee before payment. |
Check the price against the actual search order
The general service page lists $100 for “Company Search”. The order form also asks you to choose an access period. Check your order’s total amount and currency before paying. [3] [2] [4]
Choose certified documents by company type
The still-linked 2014 fee schedules list $50 for a regular company’s certified incorporation certificate, $50 for its memorandum and articles, and $15 for annual declarations and statements. For IBCs, the schedule lists $50 for Good Standing and $50 for specified certified certificate copies. A certified memorandum-and-articles copy is listed at $30 where copies are supplied to the Registrar. Check entity type and the exact fee item before ordering. [6] [7] [3]
Distinguish digital issue from a freely usable PDF
The public service offers company-detail downloads. CARS also describes encrypted document delivery and certified copies. The official ordering guide ends with Print document ordered. If a bank requires a particular issue, clarify the document type and its verification code before paying. [1] [5] [4]
Separate public search from document-order eligibility
The Company Search page lists the general public with a valid credit or debit card. Request Documents or Certificates instead lists citizens/residents and business, plus licensed Financial & Corporate Service Providers. Contact registrargeneral@bahamas.gov.bs if needed. [3] [4] [2]
Counter inspection has a separate tariff
For supervised file inspection at the registry, the fee schedules list $15 for the first hour and $5 for each additional hour or part-hour. This tariff applies to in-person inspection. [6] [7] [4]
Avoid common mistakes
- Deeds & Documents Search Index is a different registry service. Its search-time tariff is not the price of CARS company research. [3]
Original sources
Sources reviewed: 15 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.
- CARS Online Public Services Registrar of Companies Department
- CARS Company Search Registrar of Companies Department
- Company Search Registrar General’s Department
- Request Documents or Certificates Registrar General’s Department
- CARS Overview Registrar General’s Department
- Companies (Amendment) Act 2014 Government of The Bahamas
- International Business Companies (Amendment) Act 2014 Government of The Bahamas