Search and document delivery at a glance
- Search language
- Use English or traditional Chinese characters for the company-name search. Simplified Chinese characters may cause an existing company name to be missed. [8]
- Digital documents
- Image records can be ordered for download. Guests use order and download codes; files remain available for seven calendar days. [1]
- Document language
- Filed documents may be in Chinese or English. The language of an annual return or articles of association depends on the version filed. The English search interface does not determine the document’s language. [9]
- Paper and collection
- Certified copies are issued on paper. Online orders offer postal or courier delivery at additional cost. [2] [6]
- International delivery
- Not specified
- Fees at a glance
- Name and document indexes are free. Company report HKD 22; guest download of an annual return HKD 18.
- Access
- Use Unregistered User (e-Search Services); paid products are available without an annual subscription.
Choose the right register
Hong Kong’s Companies Registry is the official source for company registration and filed corporate documents. Its e-Search Services cover local companies, registered non-Hong Kong companies and re-domiciled companies. An overseas entity’s Hong Kong registration is distinct from its incorporation in its home jurisdiction. [1] [6]
Since 27 December 2023, the Registry has used the Business Registration Number as the Unique Business Identifier. If you only have the previous Company Registration Number, use the official mapping service. Identifiers help resolve English and Chinese name variants. [3]
Names and abbreviations explained
- Companies RegistryHong Kong Companies Registry
- The company registration authority and provider of e-Search Services. [1]
- BRNBusiness Registration Number
- The identifier used as the Unique Business Identifier. Annual returns request its first eight digits. [3] [7]
- CR No.Company Registration Number
- The previous company number; an official mapping service connects it with the BRN. [3]
- Company Particulars ReportSummary register report
- A paid summary of key company details, current officers and specified shareholding information. [1]
- NAR1Annual Return, Form NAR1
- An annual corporate filing reporting information at its made-up date. A private company’s annual return is not published financial statements. [4] [7]
- SCRSignificant Controllers Register
- A company-held record of persons exercising control, distinct from public e-Search products. [5]
- DirectorMember of the company’s governing body
- An officer identified in the company register, distinct from a shareholder or a service-of-process representative. [1] [6]
- Company SecretaryFormal company officer
- A statutory corporate office identified in the register report, not an ordinary administrative assistant. [1] [6]
- Guarantee CompanyCompany limited by guarantee
- A company form whose members undertake a guarantee amount; annual-return requirements differ from those for private companies with share capital. [4]
Search step by step
Identify a company and obtain a report
Enter as a guest
Open the e-Services Portal and select Unregistered User (e-Search Services). Occasional research does not require an annual subscription. [1]
Search by name or business identifier
Use free Company Name Search with exact name matching or Left Partial Search. Exact names include their legal endings. For Left Partial Search, enter the beginning of the name and extend it if results are too broad. [1] [2]
Obtain current particulars
Choose Company Particulars under Search for the identified company. The report costs HKD 22 and summarises key current register particulars. [1]
Save receipts and results
Save or print the digital receipt. Guest users need the Order Number and Download Code for order enquiries or downloads. Save paid online-view results before leaving their screen. [1]
Get historical filings and annual returns
Check the free Document Index
Pending identifies documents received but not yet registered; their images are not yet available. Select the document type and reporting date that answer your question. [1] [2]
Choose download where appropriate
Image Record viewing and downloading have different prices. A guest annual-return download costs HKD 18, against HKD 23 for online viewing. A guest download in the articles-of-association category costs HKD 23, against HKD 29 for viewing. [2]
Download within seven days
Files are normally available within five minutes of payment. Choose Download Ordered Items at the cart. Guests enter the Download Code and order date. Image records remain available there for seven calendar days. [1]
Documents and fees
| Document / information | Contents and purpose | Fee | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Particulars Report [1] [2] | Summary of key current company, officer and specified shareholder particulars. | HKD 22 per report. | e-Search; guest access available. |
| Annual Return, Image Record [2] [4] | Digital copy of the annual filing; not an accounts package for a private company. | Guest: download HKD 18, online view HKD 23. Subscriber: download HKD 16. | Free Document Index followed by selected purchase. |
| Articles, accounts and similarly classified Image Records [2] | Copies of registered filings. This fee category includes articles of association and accounts. | Guest: download HKD 23, online view HKD 29. Subscriber: download HKD 21. | Only where the selected document exists in the register. |
| Other Image Records [2] | Documents in the remaining fee category. Check the document type in the index. | Guest download HKD 10; subscriber download HKD 9. | The official tariff assigns document types to categories. |
| Certified Copy [2] [6] | Certified paper copy of a register document or report. | HKD 130 certification plus hard-copy and applicable delivery charges. | Online order available; issued on paper. |
| Certificate of Continuing Registration [2] | Confirmation of continuing registration. | HKD 170. | For live local or registered non-Hong Kong companies described in the tariff. |
Information in a company report
The Company Particulars Report includes the registered office, capital structure, current directors and any reserve directors, company secretary and relevant receivers, managers or liquidators. For registered non-Hong Kong companies it includes the Hong Kong principal place of business and authorised representatives. [1]
Shareholder information covers the specified local companies with share capital and re-domiciled companies. It derives from incorporation, annual and applicable allotment filings. Obtain the original filing when investigating a historical date. [1]
The report is unavailable for companies dissolved or ceasing to have a Hong Kong place of business before 1 January 1999, and certain companies requesting striking-off before 1 February 1998. An unavailable report therefore does not exclude a previous registration. [1]
Directors, charges and disqualifications
The Directors Index supports company-based searches for HKD 11 and director-based searches for HKD 22. Its lists concern current directors and reserve directors. Historical filings are relevant for ceased positions. [1] [2]
The Charges Index and Disqualification Orders Index are free. They identify registered charges or disqualification entries; underlying documents and more detailed products may carry fees. [2] [6]
Limits on publicly available accounts
A private company with share capital does not have to attach financial statements to its annual return. Its NAR1 is therefore not an accounts package. Public companies and guarantee companies have different requirements. [4]
Check the Document Index before paying for accounts. [4]
Overseas access, payment and certified copies
The documented online service provides a guest route for unregistered users. Listed payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, Apple Pay and Google Pay, alongside local services. This route does not require a Hong Kong user account; acceptance of a particular payment card remains with the payment provider. [1]
Certification of a document or report copy costs HKD 130, in addition to the underlying hard-copy charge. Certified copies are issued on paper. Online orders can request postal or courier delivery, with additional handling or delivery charges. [2] [6]
A Certificate of Continuing Registration costs HKD 170. It is a separate confirmation of continuing registration rather than a report covering the entire company history. [2] [6]
Protected personal information and controllers
Usual residential addresses and full identification numbers in filings from 24 October 2022 are not available for general public inspection. Individuals may also request protection for older documents. Special access is limited to legally specified persons. [6]
The Significant Controllers Register is maintained by the company. The Registry describes inspection by law enforcement. Distinguish this control record from shareholder information in a publicly purchasable Company Particulars Report. [5] [1]
Official samples and reading guides
Official NAR1 specimen for a private company
Completed annual-return form using explicitly fictitious company and personal details. Illustrates the reporting date, address, officers and shareholding information. It is not an actual company extract or financial statements. [7]
Avoid common mistakes
- The cheaper guest download and online viewing are different Image Record purchase options. [2]
- A Directors Index match concerns a current role; former roles may require historical filings. [1]
- A pending Document Index entry does not mean its image is already available. [1]
- Shareholders listed in filed records are not automatically the persons with ultimate control. [1] [5]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an annual subscription?
Not for guest searches. The principal subscription costs HKD 500 per year and offers lower image-record fees and access to an additional paid keyword search. [1] [2]
What does a private company’s annual return cost?
An unregistered online user pays HKD 18 for an Image Record download, or HKD 23 for online viewing. [2]
Original sources
Sources reviewed: 14 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.
- Electronic Search: frequently asked questions Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Fees: searches and other fees Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Electronic Search Services Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Annual Return: local companies Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Significant Controllers Register: overview Hong Kong Companies Registry
- How to Obtain Company Information Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Form NAR1: private-company specimen Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Companies Registry: company-name search languages Hong Kong Companies Registry
- Filing tips: language of documents Companies Registry