Search and document delivery at a glance
- Search online
- Not specified
- Digital documents
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- Document language
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- Paper and collection
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- International delivery
- Not specified
- Fees at a glance
- Confirm the selected certificate’s fee with GUE; do not use incorporation fees
- Access
- Anyone may request registry certificates and copies. Special eligibility rules apply to identity-document numbers.
Choose the right register
Article 11 of the published DGRN statute assigns GUE the central identification of companies and other legal persons. Paragraph 3 adds the functions of the city of São Tomé’s commercial registry. DGRN stands for Direcção Geral dos Registos e do Notariado. [1]
The Pedido de Certidão form asks for the applicant, company, company tax number and registered office, and intended use. File and registration number fields help identify the record. It is an application form, not an issued company certificate. [2]
Names and abbreviations explained
- GUEGuiché Único para Empresas
- Central company-formalities office with commercial registry functions. [1]
- NIFNúmero de Identificação Fiscal
- Tax identifier. The form distinguishes the applicant’s and company’s NIF from the registration number. [2]
- CertidãoCertidão
- Official certificate concerning the selected registration matter. [2]
Search step by step
Request the appropriate certificate
Download the official form
Open Formulário para Pedido de Certidão linked in the original sources. Select Registo Comercial for registry evidence or Cópia Autenticada do Estatuto for certified articles. Other options concern incorporation, amendments and dissolution. [2]
Identify the company and purpose
Enter the legal company name, registered office and company NIF. Add available file and registry numbers. Under Fim a que se destina, describe the intended use. The form requires a signature matching the identity document. [2]
Arrange submission and delivery
Use the official form and identify the company by its registration number. Article 72 generally allows anyone to request certificates and copies. Ask GUE how to submit an application from abroad and pay the fee. Agree the form of issue and delivery before ordering. [4] [2] [3]
Documents and fees
| Document / information | Contents and purpose | Fee | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial registration certificate [2] [1] | Certificate concerning the named company’s registered particulars. Expressly request a current issue for current status. | Obtain the current certificate tariff from GUE. | Pedido de Certidão, select Registo Comercial; provide company, identifiers and purpose. |
| Certified copy of the articles [2] | Certified copy of the articles. Where amended, specify whether current articles or a particular historical version is required. | Confirm copying and certification fees with GUE. | Select Cópia Autenticada do Estatuto on the same form. |
Third-party access and protected identity details
Under Article 72, anyone may request certificates relating to registry entries and archived documents. Only registry staff may inspect the files themselves. Article 73 restricts information containing the type and number of personal identity documents to the person concerned, eligible company members or officers, and their authorised representatives. [4]
Certificates, ordinary copies and time limits
Article 72 provides for certified photocopies or computer-generated copies. Ordinary uncertified copies are for information only and cannot be used in judicial proceedings or public legal acts. The statutory time limit for these copies is three working days. Under Article 77, certificates must be issued within five working days. [4]
Under Article 76, a certificate generally covers all entries relating to the named business. You may limit the request to particular registered acts, giving a reason. Arrange the delivery method with GUE for requests from abroad. [4]
Avoid common mistakes
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a registry certificate?
Anyone may request a registry certificate from GUE. Use the official form and identify the company by its registration number. The statutory time limit for issuing a certificate is five working days. Arrange submission and overseas delivery with GUE. [2] [4]
Original sources
Sources reviewed: 16 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.
- DGRN organic statute, Diário da República No. 82/2017 São Tomé and Príncipe; official DGRN publication
- Formulário para Pedido de Certidão DGRN / Guiché Único para Empresas
- Actos do Guiché Único para Empresa DGRN / Guiché Único para Empresas
- Código do Registo Comercial, Diário da República n.º 91, 3 July 2018 DGRN / Diário da República