Certificate of Incorporation (CI) in Hong Kong

After a Hong Kong limited company is formed, the Companies Registry issues a Certificate of Incorporation (CI). The CI is the only proof that a company has separate legal personality, and it is needed when opening a bank account, applying for government subsidies and signing contracts with third parties.

The CI is a limited company's “birth certificate”, proving the company has separate legal personality. Unlimited companies do not need to apply for one.
The CI is issued by the Companies Registry and is applied for automatically together with the limited company application, so no extra step is needed.
The original CI is issued only once. If lost, you can only apply for a certified copy, so keep it safe.
From 27 December 2023, the CI number of newly formed companies has 8 digits.

What is a Certificate of Incorporation (CI)?

The Certificate of Incorporation (CI) is issued by the Companies Registry and is the only statutory proof that a Hong Kong limited company has separate legal personality.

The CI works like the company's “birth certificate” or “identity card”: whenever you need to prove to others that the company legally exists in Hong Kong, you need to show the CI. Common occasions include:

Opening a corporate bank account
Applying for government funding or subsidies
Signing contracts in the company's name
Applying for specific business licences

Because the legal liability of an unlimited company rests with the owner personally and not with the company, it does not have separate legal personality, so it does not need to apply for a CI.

What does the Certificate of Incorporation contain?

The Certificate of Incorporation states three key pieces of information about the company: the company name, the date of incorporation and the company registration number.

The company registration number proves that the business is registered with the Companies Registry and is legally entitled to operate. When opening a bank account, applying for government subsidies, or carrying out procedures in the company’s name, you may need to present the Certificate of Incorporation or the company registration number.

What is the company registration number (CI number)? What is it used for?

The former company registration number was a 7-digit number located at the top left of the certificate. It works like the company’s ID number and is also the company’s tax number used when filing tax returns.

Unique Business Identifier: 2023 update

From 27 December 2023, the Companies Registry replaced company numbers with Business Registration Certificate numbers. For limited companies incorporated before 22 December 2023, the company number on the Certificate of Incorporation is a 7-digit number located at the top left of the certificate. For limited companies incorporated after 27 December 2023, the company number is an 8-digit number.

Is the company registration number (CI number) the same as the business registration number (BRN)?

For companies incorporated after 27 December 2023, the company number is an 8-digit number, which is the same as the first 8 digits of the Business Registration Certificate number. The Business Registration Certificate number is in the format XXXXXXXX-&&&-&&-&&-&. The first 8 digits are the business registration number, and the digits and letters that follow indicate the month and year in which the Business Registration Certificate takes effect and other information used by the Inland Revenue Department.

FAQ

What is the difference between a CI and a BR?

The CI (Certificate of Incorporation) is issued by the Companies Registry and proves that a limited company has separate legal personality. Unlimited companies do not need to apply for one. The BR (Business Registration Certificate) is issued by the Inland Revenue Department, and all persons or companies carrying on business for profit in Hong Kong must apply for one, including both limited and unlimited companies. The two serve different purposes and are handled together when applying for a limited company. For details, see: Complete guide to the Business Registration Certificate

Can the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate be applied for at the same time?

Yes. Company registration and the Business Registration Certificate serve different purposes: company registration gives the company a separate legal personality, while business registration is for operators who carry on business for profit lawfully.

To apply to set up a limited company, you need to complete NNC1, NNC1G and NNC3, which applies for Hong Kong company registration and business registration at the same time, so the notification to the Business Registration Office and the business registration fee must be submitted together with the registration application.

Can a Certificate of Incorporation (CI) be replaced?

No. The company must keep its original CI safely. The Companies Registry will not reissue the certificate, as the original CI is issued only once. If it is lost, you can only apply for a Certificate of Good Standing or a certified copy of that certificate.

Which do you receive first, the CI or the BR?

When applying for a limited company, the CI and BR are applied for together. Once an e-filing is approved, the electronic CI and electronic BR are generally issued together within 1 hour, so there is no sequence.

Do I need the CI or the BR to open a bank account?

You need both. Banks generally require the CI, BR, articles of association and directors' proof of identity for account opening. Some banks ask for documents to be certified, so we suggest checking the required list with the bank before opening an account. For the detailed account opening documents, see: What documents do I need to open a company bank account?

Summary

If you have any questions about your company's CI or the company formation application, please contact the SetupHK advisory team. We offer a one-stop company formation service, assisting you throughout from application to receiving the certificates.