Knowledgebase

Registration under the Companies Act

If you wish to start a Non-Profit Organisation, you may decide to incorporate your organisation under the Companies Act. Incorporation under the Companies Act is not mandatory, but many organisations choose this route as it provides a more formal structure. This incorporation creates a Non-Profit Company.

Note: Incorporation of a Non-Profit Company under the Companies Act is different from Registration under the Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) Act.

Step 1 — Create a Companies Registry Account (CRA)

Each person who will be listed as a Director of the Non-Profit Company must have a Companies Registry Account (CRA). This is done online using the Companies Registry Online System (CROS). You will need to provide personal information, address, contact information, two forms of photo identification, and your birth certificate.

Apply for your CRA here

If you have problems with this process, you can email the CROS Help Desk at [email protected].

Step 2 — Choose and Reserve a Name

You must decide on the name of your organisation and submit an application to reserve it. The name must not be the same as or similar to an organisation that already exists. You can search the Register before applying.

The Name Search and Name Reservation application costs TT $25.00 and takes 3 working days to process.

1. Log on to CROS using your CRA
2. Select Name Reservation
3. Select New company name reservation
4. For Type of Request select Incorporation
5. For Incorporation Type select Non-Profit
6. Enter your proposed company name and alternative names
7. Complete all required information and submit

After 3 working days you will receive an email from the Registrar General with one of three decisions:

• Approved — Name reserved for 45 days. You must complete incorporation within this period.
• Query — Further information is needed. Reply to the email with the required clarification.
• Rejected — Name did not meet availability/suitability requirements. You must submit a new application and pay TT $25.00 again.

Step 3 — Obtain Consent of All Persons Involved

Before incorporating, all persons to be included must consent via CROS. Each person must:

1. Log on to CROS using their CRA
2. Select My Account → Approval
3. For Type select Yet to Be
4. For Role select their role: Director, Incorporator, or Statement Signatory
5. Enter the Name Reservation Number and the approved name

Once each person has completed this, they must provide you (the applicant) with their surname and Account PIN to complete the incorporation application. NPOs must have a minimum of three (3) Directors.

Step 4 — Complete the Company Incorporation

File your incorporation documents online. This costs TT $620.00 and takes 2 working days to process.

1. Log on to CROS using your CRA
2. Select Registration/Incorporation
3. Complete and submit the incorporation application, uploading all required documents
4. Also complete the Questionnaire to Assist in Assessing Risk for Non-Profit Organisations (online form)

Important: Once the Application for Incorporation has been submitted, you must also submit the Application for Registration under the NPO Act (currently submitted in person).

Step 5 — Collect Your Certificates

Once payment is processed, each director will receive confirmation by email. To collect your Certificate of Incorporation:

1. Print two copies of the Articles of Incorporation, Notice of Address and Directors
2. Sign both copies with original (wet) signatures
3. Deliver the signed forms to the Companies Registry Counter
4. Collect your hardcopy Certificate of Incorporation

The hardcopy Certificate of Registration under the NPO Act will also be available for collection at the same time.