Papua New Guinea: free company search and paid register records

Basic search: Free [1]
Entry: No sign-in [1]

Search and document delivery at a glance

Search online: Yes. Free basic data without an account; paid details require a client account and photo ID. [1]
Search language: The public search page and accompanying instructions are in English. [2] [1]
Digital documents: IPA confirms downloading filings during paid 24-hour access. PDF format is not expressly guaranteed for every product. [1]
Document language: Not specified
Paper and collection: Not specified
International delivery: Not specified

Fees at a glance: Basic search free; detailed access and certificates charged
Access: Basic access without account; details require account and photo ID

Choose the right register

The Business Entities Registry is the entry point for companies and other registered business entities. Choose “Business Entity Search”. The separate “Name Availability Search” checks proposed names. [2] [1]

Names and abbreviations explained

IPAInvestment Promotion Authority: The authority operating the Business Entities Registry. [1]
Client accountRegistry customer account: The account is free but requires photo ID. Paid services need payment or sufficient prepaid account funds. [1]
PPSRPersonal Property Security Registry: Separate personal-property security register. IPA says a PPSR account cannot be used as a Business Entities Registry account. [1]

Search step by step

From free search to the entity record

Search for an existing entity
Open “Business Entity Search”. Free public information includes name, number, type, status, registration date and registered office address. [2] [1]
Identify the correct result
Record the registration number and status. Check whether the result is a company or another entity such as a business name. Detailed access concerns the individual entity. [1]
Use a client account for details
Sign in to an existing account or apply for a free client account. IPA requires photo ID. Pay the displayed detailed-search fee using an offered payment method or prepaid balance. [1]
Save documents during the access period
After payment, IPA says information remains available for 24 hours. During this period you can download filings and obtain certificates. Check any additional document price before placing a separate order. [1]

Documents and fees

Document / information	Contents and purpose	Fee	How to get it
Free basic information [1] [2]	Name, status, entity type, registration number, registration date and registered office address.	Free	Public Entity Search without an account. Format / delivery Online display; not a certified extract. [1] [2] Document language English search. [1] [2] International delivery Online access; no postal delivery needed. [1] [2]
Detailed entity record and filings [1]	Includes directors, shareholders and previous filings.	Charged; the amount is displayed before payment in the account.	Client account with photo ID; 24-hour access after payment according to IPA. Format / delivery Digital download of available filings. [1] International delivery Digital access. [1]
Company Profile, Good Standing or historical extract [1]	Separate products, including ordinary and long-form good-standing certificates and a certified historical extract.	Charged; check the current product price in the signed-in ordering flow.	Order for the identified entity through the client account. Format / delivery The public product list does not specify a delivery format. [1]

Basic and detailed information

The free search establishes entity identity. Directors, shareholders and previous filings belong to paid detailed access. Client accounts also offer Director and Officer Search and Banned Person Search; these are additional searches rather than fields in every free results list. [1]

Payment in kina

IPA charges in Papua New Guinea kina (PGK). When a fee is due, the system displays the amount and available balance. Listed options include credit card, BSP Pay and client balance. Pre-funding can also use cash or cheque at BSP. [1]

Which products are offered?

IPA lists Company Profile, Certificate of Good Standing, long-form Certificate of Good Standing and Certified Historical Extract as products for purchase. Choose according to the evidence required. The public guidance does not give a current individual price for these four products or specify their exact language and file formats. [1]

Avoid common mistakes

Free full access for a person with filing authority concerns that person’s entity. [1]
The guidance includes older data-migration notices. A reference to images following “in the next few weeks” is not a current delivery deadline for missing documents. Check the particular filing’s availability. [1]

Frequently asked questions

Do I need ID for the basic search?

No. IPA permits free basic searches without an account. Photo ID belongs to creating the client account for additional functions. [1]

How long does paid detailed access last?

IPA specifies 24 hours for the selected entity after payment of the search fee. Save the filings you need within that period. [1]

Original sources

Sources reviewed: 15 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.

IPA: Business Entities Registry guides Investment Promotion Authority
IPA: Entity Search Investment Promotion Authority

Papua New Guinea