If you are planning to do business with a company in Kenya, you must ensure that the company is legally registered and authorized to operate in the country. Verifying a company’s registration status in Kenya is not only a smart move but also a necessary one. It can save you from potential fraud, legal disputes, and financial losses. It can also give you peace of mind that you are not dealing with a scam or non-existent company.
Checking the registration status of a company will enable you to confirm that the company is legitimate, has a valid business name, and complies with the relevant laws and regulations. You can also verify the company’s ownership, directors, shareholders, and address. This can help you establish trust, credibility, and transparency with the company you are dealing with.
But how can you verify a company’s registration status in Kenya?
The process of verifying a company’s registration status is simple and convenient—thanks to the eCitizen portal. eCitizen is the official online platform for accessing government services in Kenya.
To verify the registration status of any company in Kenya via eCitizen, you will need to obtain a document called a CR 12 form. This is a company’s certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of Companies. The Registrar of Companies is the authority responsible for registering and regulating companies in Kenya.
The CR 12 form contains details of the company, such as its name, registration number, date of incorporation, directors, shareholders, address, and share capital. It acts as official and authentic proof of the company’s registration status and existence.
Here is a step-by-step process for obtaining a CR 12 form for any company in Kenya:
Step 1: Visit the eCitizen portal and sign in to your account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free.
Step 2: Once you have signed in, go to the Business Registration Service (BRS) dashboard. Click on ‘Make Application’ at the top-left. It will show you the list of applications you can make.
Step 3: Look for “Official Search (“Cr12”)” and click “Apply Now” next to it.
Step 4: You will see a search box at the top of the page that loads. Enter the business name or registration number of the company you want to verify and click ‘Search’. If the company is registered, you will see its details on the screen. If it is not registered, you will see a message that says, ‘No records found’.
Step 5: Select the company you want to verify from the search results and click “Next.”
Step 6: On the next page, you will see a form where you must fill in your postal address, postal code, email address, and phone number. Fill it correctly and click “Save and continue.”
Step 7: Review your application and click on ‘Finish’.
Step 8: Pay the required fee of Ksh. 650, which includes Ksh. 600 for the CR 12 form and Ksh. 50 for the eCitizen convenience fee. You can pay via M-Pesa, Airtel Money, debit card, or credit card.
Step 9: Once your payment is confirmed, you can access the CR 12 form. You can download and print the form, and then use it as evidence of the company’s registration status for legal or business purposes.
Conclusion
That’s how you can easily verify the registration status of any company in Kenya by obtaining its CR 12 form from the eCitizen portal. With this information, you can verify the company’s legitimacy, ownership, and compliance with the law. This can help you avoid fraud, disputes, and losses, and ensure a smooth and successful business relationship with the company.
