So you want to register a company online in Trinidad and Tobago – you’ve come to the right place! Let’s take you through the process for profit companies as far as we know at the time of publication.
Step 1- Get a TTConnect ID
Register here.
Step 2 – Register for TTBizlink
In order to register, you will need access to a printer and scanner to complete the following steps:
- Print, complete and sign the registration form here
- Print and sign the TTBizlink disclaimer here
- Scan the signed registration form and TTBizlink disclaimer
- Scan/copy two forms of national identification (E.g. passport, national identification card (ID card), Drivers’ Permit (DP), birth certificate)
- Sign the scanned or copied forms of national identification
- Take a clear frontal selfie of you with the form of national picture identification i.e. biodata page of passport, front of ID card or front of DP)
By this time, you should have the following electronic documents:
- registration form (scanned and signed);
- TTBizlink disclaimer (scanned and signed);
- copies of 2 forms of national identification (scanned and signed); and
- a clear frontal selfie with your form of national picture identification
Email these documents to your most convenient TTBizlink location. Find the list of locations (and another form of these steps) here.
Step 3 – Apply for a Name Reservation
Log in to TTBizlink. After selecting trade or export, you will be directed to page with a list of options. Look for the option named e-Company Registration. It looks like this:
Click on it and you will be directed to another page with a sidebar that looks like this:
First, click the sub-heading ‘Search’ under the heading ‘Name Search’.
This is where you will verify that your proposed company name hasn’t already been taken. Once you determine that the name you want is free for the taking, you are ready to actually reserve your proposed company name.
Secondly, under the heading Name Reservation, click on the sub-heading ‘New Application’.
When you click ‘New Application’, it will open a page that looks like this:
Complete the application.
Concerning the option for payment, select cashier if you intend to pay for the application through the Registrar General’s Department Payment Portal.
Step 4 – Pay for Name Reservation Application
Use the Registrar General’s Department Companies Registry Payments Portal, which you can find on their website.
An application for a name reservation costs $27.97, including the online convenience fee.
Then, follow the instructions on the page.
Step 5 – Wait for Approval of the Name Reservation
You’ll get an email when the name reservation has been processed advising whether it has been approved or rejcted. Sometimes, you will get queries from the officers at the Companies Registry. Just follow the steps in their email to submit any additional information is required using TTBizlink.
If your name reservation is approved, you will have 45 days from the date of the approval to apply for the incorporation of a company and collect the certificate of incorporation.
Step 6 – Apply for Incorporation of a Profit Company
This is the most important online portion of how to register a company online in Trinidad and Tobago.
Log in to TTBizlink. After selecting trade or export, you will be directed to page with a list of options. Look for the option named e-Company Registration. It looks like this:
Under the heading ‘Company Incorporation’, select the sub-heading ‘New Application’.
When you click on ‘New Application’, it will take you to a page that looks like this:
Complete both tabs.
Concerning the option for payment, select cashier if you intend to pay for the application through the Registrar General’s Department Payment Portal.
Click Submit for Verification when you are ready to submit the application and follow the instructions on the screen.
Step 7 – Pay for the Incorporation Online
Use the Registrar General’s Department Companies Registry Payments Portal, which you can find on their website.
Incorporation of a profit company costs $526.97, including the online convenience fee.
Then, follow the instructions on the page.
After you enter your application number (beginning with CYR), and select the incorporation service, you may select the option box labelled ‘notice of secretary’ if you wish to submit that form at the time of collection of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 8 – Wait for Approval
You will receive an email when your application has been processed, advising whether it has been approved or rejected.
If your application is approved, you will need to make an appointment to submit the signed version of the forms you completed and collect your Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 9 – Make an Appointment to Collect Your Certificate of Incorporation
The Registrar General’s Department has an e-appointment system to allow you to schedule a date and time to collect your Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 10 – Prepare for Your Appointment
You will need to walk with the following documents in DUPLICATE:
- Signed TTBizlink incorporation documents – there will be an option to complete the application and save a PDF version of it that you, as the incorporator, will then print and sign.
- Signed Notice of secretary – find the form here.
- Copies of national ID of incorporator and directors submitted with your application.
Moreover, if you will not have access to the appointment email on your mobile smartphone, walk with a printed copy.
Step 11 – Collect Your Certificate of Incorporation
‘Nuff said.
Your company is now registered! You have successfully conquered how to register a company online in Trinidad and Tobago.
Coming soon: guides on how to register your company for tax and VAT.
We hope that this is helpful.
If you have any questions or we have left out anything, please comment below so that others can learn from your questions/experience.