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Services With the rapid developments taking place in the financial sector, the Companies Services provided :- -
Reservation of Names -
Incorporation of Companies -
Registration of documents -
Access to a centralised source of information -
Enforcement of the Companies Act 2001 -
Facilities provided in the search room -
Collection of annual company Registration fees -
Customer service -
Entertaining of complaints from the public -
Registration of Businesses -
Insolvency Service RESERVATION OF NAMES Any person who wishes to incorporate a company in Mauritius may reserve a company name prior to incorporation An application for name reservation and a notice of reservation of name is dealt with within 24 hours for domestic and Global Business companies provided that the necessary fees are paid. Application forms for name reservation and incorporation of companies are available at the office on request or may be downloaded from our website. back to Top
INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES Domestic companies are incorporated within 1/2 day after payment of the prescribed fee is effected. back to Top
REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS The law requires companies to undertake regular statutory filings. These include annual returns, financial statements or any change in office bearers, and stated capital. The officers who are experienced and well versed in company matters provide help in the filling of returns & documents and offer assistance to representatives of companies and to the general public. Documents are required to be filed at this office within statutory delays. Documents which are submitted to be filed are retained for a maximum period of 14 days for verification purposes. Our customers may also apply for certified/uncertified copies of any document in the custody of the Registrar. Copies are delivered on the day following the payment of the required fee. back to Top
CENTRALISED SOURCE OF INFORMATION This office keeps a complete manual record of every company incorporated or partnership registered in Mauritius. The same information can be accessed through computer terminals. Available information includes date of incorporation, constitutive documents, financial statements, lists of shareholders and directors. Such information is open for inspection by any person who wishes to make a search in either a domestic company or a Public Category 1 Global Business company on payment of a sum of Rs 50 per company. In the case of private companies holding Category 1 Global Business licences or companies holding Category 2 Global Business licences, information available to any person on payment of the prescribed fee is limited to the name of the company and its registered office as well as its management company/registered agent. Information on partnerships registered in Mauritius is also available to the public. Persons carrying out company searches may choose to consult the company file or access the information on computer which are at their disposal in the search room. Replies to letters from the Police Department, ICAC or other Ministries and directors of company are effected within less than one week. back to Top ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPANIES ACT This section makes a follow up of all statutory company filing effected at this office and provides answers to queries on companies. Companies which do not comply with the law, are referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution. (See Compounding of offences also) With effect from 19th July 2008, the companies that have not complied with a provision of the Act may now opt to compound the offence committed by them where the person agrees in writing to pay an amount acceptable to the Registrar instead of going to court for judicial action. back to Top FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE SEARCH ROOM A spacious well lit room situated at the Lower Ground floor, equipped with tables and comfortable chairs is provided to the public wishing to carry out company searches. For members of the public who are handicapped, a search room is provided on the ground floor. back to Top COLLECTION OF ANNUAL COMPANY REGISTRATION FEE The Companies Act 2001 provides that every company is required to pay an annual registration fee. Payment is required to be effected yearly as from 3 January to 20 January inclusively. After the 20th January, a higher rate is applicable. Where a company defaults in payment, a reminder is sent to its registered office within one month. Any non-compliance entails in the striking off of the company. back to Top CUSTOMER SERVICE A customer service counter has been set up on the ground floor of our premises and is manned by staff well versed in the Companies Act to provide assistance to our customers. Enquiries on procedures and requirements under the Companies Act 2001 are dealt with on the spot. A guide to the Companies Act and leaflets dealing with specific issues are also available on request or on our website. Hotline Service A hotline service is also available whereby our customers may phone in with their queries. (Telephone Numbers:- 208 4539, 211 2865, 208 4117) back to Top
COMPLAINTS Complaints received at this office from the general public/shareholder/director may be either general in nature or specific. Within one week of the complaint, interviews are held with the representatives of the concerned company and follow-up measures are taken. Customers are offered an effective and efficient service and the office is constantly reviewing its procedures to provide an excellent service. However, should there be any complaint regarding the services provided by the office, it may be addressed in writing to the Registrar of Companies, 3rd Floor, One Cathedral Square, Jules Koeing Street, Port Louis. back to Top BUSINESS REGISTRATION The Business Registration Act 2002 provides for the registration of persons carrying on business in Mauritius and in Rodrigues together with their business name, the allocation of a single Business Registration numbers and the issue of a Business Registration Card. back to Top INSOLVENCY SERVICE The Insolvency Act 2009 regulates the insolvency of individuals, companies and other corporate bodies. In accordance with the Act a new unit of the Companies Division, the Insolvency Service is operational as from 1st June 2009. This unit is headed by the Director of Insolvency Service who is the Registrar of Companies. Its main objectives are to:- | (i) | Ensure that the processes relating to Insolvency of individuals, companies and other corporate bodies are in accordance with the law and practice; | | | (ii) | Supervise the conduct and performance of Insolvency Practitioners and as such may receive representation from any person regarding the conduct and performance of an Insolvency Practitioner. | For more details go to Section 375 of the Act. | | (iii) | Prepare work-outs in respect of “Prescribed Companies”. | For more details go to Section 302 of the Act. | The Insolvency Service keeps and maintains public registers of Insolvency Practitioners and Bankrupts (discharged and undischarged) and a public register of persons who are subject to a summary instalment order. These registers shall be available to the members of the public who may carry out searches during business hours on working days. back to Top | 
