Legally Required Document

Applicable to: Every business entity in Ghana

Holder of Document: Legally registered business entity. 

Signature required by:
The Registrar of Companies or assignee. The Registrar of Companies Name’s Seal is also required.

Key considerations when checking the doc:
1. Does the certificate bear the name of the entity? Does the certificate bear the seal of registrar of company names?
2. Does the certificate have relevant company registration number?
 Is the certificate signed?
 Is the TIN of the company printed on the certificate?
 The registered name of the entity can be verified online at the Webpartal of the Registrar General’s Department under the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General: https://egovonline.gegov.gov.gh/RGDPortalWeb/portal/RGDHome/eghana.portal;jsessionid=HgjRdn5LhpRWpvDVgY1LTXpTvbQLWF5JGF4JX1TBGc3PTJnCv3gG!-351679370?_nfpb=true&_st=&_pageLabel=portal_RGDHome_NameSearchPage_page&linksPageTitle=Name+Search&service=namesearch#wlp_portal_RGDHome_NameSearchPage_page

Purpose and content of document:
The business registration certificate certifies that the entity whose name is on the certificate is a legally registered business entity in Ghana. The certificate contains the business registration number, the business name, the date of registration, the seal of the Registrar of Company Names and is signed by the Registrar of Companies or for by his/her assignee. According to current requirements, registration for Taxpayer Identification Number registration (TIN) precedes business registration as a continuous process and therefore the TIN of the registered business can also be found on the business registration certificate.

Evidence limitations and weaknesses:
It gives no indication as to whether the entity is meeting its annual legally required reporting obligations.