Samoa: company searches, free PDFs and certified copies

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

Search and document delivery at a glance

Search online: Yes. Public name, previous-name or number search without an account, with status and date filters. [1] [3]
Search language: The search guidance and described search functions are in English. [3]
Digital documents: PDF results and many filed documents as PDFs. Free incorporation certificate for download, printing or email. [2] [1]
Document language: Not specified
Paper and collection: Not specified
International delivery: Not specified

Fees at a glance: Basic search and digital incorporation certificate free; certification SAT 25
Access: Public search without sign-in

Choose the right register

Start with MCIL for a company registered under the Companies Act 2001. Its remit includes private, public and overseas companies. International Companies under the 1988 Act are administered separately by the Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA). [4]

Names and abbreviations explained

MCILMinistry of Commerce, Industry and Labour: The ministry responsible for the public companies register described here. [4]
SIFASamoa International Finance Authority: The separate authority for International Companies. An absent MCIL result does not rule out registration there. [4]
Certificate of incorporationCompany formation certificate: Records incorporation; a digital copy is offered free through the register. [1]
SATSamoan tala: Currency used for the MCIL fees. [4]

Search step by step

Find the company and obtain documents

Search by name or number
Open the Samoa Business Registry company search. Enter the current or previous company name or incorporation number. Public searches do not require sign-in. [3] [1]
Identify the matching record
Compare name, number, status, registered address and incorporation date. “Advanced Search” supports status, date and address filters. Open the company details. [3] [2]
Save PDFs or the certificate
Export results as a PDF or PDF email attachment. Many filed documents are also PDFs. For the free incorporation certificate, select “Certificate of incorporation” from “Company Details”. [2] [1]
Order certification separately
MCIL lists SAT 25 for certifying a copy or extract and SAT 15 per file for inspection under section 326. Contact businessreg@mcil.gov.ws with the company name, registration number and exact document required. [4] [5]

Documents and fees

Document / information	Contents and purpose	Fee	How to get it
Digital certificate of incorporation [1]	Copy of the selected company’s incorporation certificate.	Free	Open “Company Details” and select “Certificate of incorporation”. Format / delivery Download, printing or email; the certificate’s file extension is not expressly stated. [1] International delivery Digital access described; no postal shipment required. [1]
Search results and filed documents [1] [2]	Exported results or available filings in the company record.	Most searches free; the help gives no separate per-PDF price.	Export results or open documents in the company record. Format / delivery PDF; search results can also be emailed as PDF attachments. [1] [2] Document language Language of the particular filing; no translation promised. [1] [2] International delivery PDF download or email, without paper postage. [1] [2]
Certified copy or extract [4] [5]	Certification of a copy of, or extract from, a register document.	SAT 25; file inspection separately SAT 15 per file	Arrange the order with the Business Registration Division. Format / delivery The fee list does not specify a binding paper or digital delivery format. [4] [5]

What is in the register?

Results show the name, registration number, status, address and incorporation date. Details also concern directors and shareholders, with dedicated search functions. Status can indicate registration, amalgamation, removal, receivership or liquidation. [1] [2]

Free online research and paid file services

The search help says most searches are free and explicitly confirms free digital incorporation certificates. The separate tariff lists SAT 15 for inspection of documents in one file and SAT 25 for certification of a copy or extract. These are not blanket charges for every PDF download. MCIL marks its fee table as updated on 9 March 2026. [1] [4] [5]

What a company search does not replace

Company registration is separate from a business licence or foreign investment certificate. MCIL refers business licensing to the responsible customs and revenue ministry. Foreign-investment requirements are not access conditions for the public company search described here. [4] [1]

Where to request file copies

The Business Registration Division is on level 3 of ACC House in Apia. MCIL lists businessreg@mcil.gov.ws and +685 20441. Confirm the format, language and delivery method before ordering a paid copy. The fee entry alone does not promise international postal delivery. [4]

Avoid common mistakes

An overseas company registered in Samoa is not automatically an International Company under the separate offshore statute. Identify the actual register category. [4]
A PDF export of search results is not a certified copy from the register file. Select the product according to the evidence required. [2] [5]

Frequently asked questions

Can I search without a Samoan user account?

Yes. The search help permits public searches without sign-in or registration. An account and company authority concern management of company records. [1]

Are documents available as PDFs?

Yes. The authority confirms PDF search-result exports and PDFs for many filings. For incorporation certificates it describes download, printing and email delivery. [2] [1]

Original sources

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

MCIL: How to search MCIL Samoa
MCIL: Understanding my search results MCIL Samoa
MCIL: Searching for a company MCIL Samoa
MCIL: Business Registration Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour
MCIL: Fees and Penalties MCIL Samoa

Samoa