How to Check Singapore Company Registration Number?

In the same way that employers conduct background checks on potential employees before recruitment, business owners should verify by looking up their Singapore company registration of the companies that they wish to partner with as well. Checking this off your to-do list not only ensures that you're moving forward with a credible business, it is also a relatively painless and easy check that won't take up much of your time at all.

After all, whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner or a seasoned founder, you would want your potential partners to have a valid company registration in Singapore.

While hiring an investigator or a third-party source for this purpose can be an option, there are multiple resources online that can help you check a registered company in Singapore.

Why is it necessary to verify a company?

While this is not a compulsory step in the incorporation process, it will definitely be helpful for businesses. Verifying a company will be especially useful for business structures like partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships, but not so much for sole proprietorship. This allows business owners to check the authenticity of their potential partners and prevent any fraud or dire economic consequences that may arise in the future.

Just like ordinary individuals, a business or company would have its own legal background and credit history as well, and it is only normal to check one’s worthiness before forming any business relationship. This is also a way to protect your business from unreliable partners. There's no shortage of reasons to be careful, especially when you're about to embark on a business partnership with the company in question.

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In short, a lack of company registration in Singapore should be a red flag, one that would inevitably influence your decision on whether to move forward with the business or not.

💡 Tips: If you need help with choosing the right name for your company, here are 5 easy and effective ways to help you get started.

How to Check a Registered Company in Singapore

ACRA’s filing portal, BizFile, allows anyone to access basic company data directly on their website, which delivers basic information on companies. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to verify a company on BizFile:

Step 1: Go to ACRA’s free online directory search platform.

Step 2: Key in the name of the company that you would like to verify under the ‘Business Entity’ search bar.

Step 3: A CAPTCHA form verification will be prompted just to ensure that you're not a spam-sending computer.

Step 4: You will then be presented with the company’s information.

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The information shown will include:

• The company name, business address, industry, and Unique Entity Number (UEN)
• The current business status
• The date of the last filing of the annual return
• The dates when the Financial Statements (FS) were filed
• The date when the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held
  

What should I specifically look out for?

A company's registration in Singapore is one thing. When checking a Singaporean registered company online, here are some of the things you should be taking note of.

1. Company status

‍This is an indication that will tell you whether a company is fully operational, or if they have ceased their operations. The “live” status shown will indicate whether the company currently exists or not. It is mandatory for all registered companies in Singapore to regularly update their company status and failure to do so may be a sign to look out for.

2. Address details

A valid registered business address is particularly useful when verifying a company in Singapore as an incorrect or suspicious address will definitely raise a red flag. Furthermore, be sure to check if their address is legal or simply a nominal mailbox. In the event that it’s a nominal mailbox, you can request the mailbox provider's contact information to verify that this business partner is legitimate.

3. Annual returns

‍Under the Singapore Companies’ Act, all companies are required to submit an annual report to ACRA within 30 days of the annual general meeting of shareholders. This report should also indicate the date of the last filing and for which financial year end, which is only applicable for limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships

4. Financial statements

This basically tells you if the company has complied with all the requirements and submitted their financial statements to ACRA. However, certain business entities are exempt from providing this information such as Public Accounting Firms, Businesses, Limited Liability Partnerships, and Limited Partnerships.

Once you’ve conducted a thorough background check on potential partners, ensure that you have the rest of the necessary requirements laid out such as your Singapore company registration documents and business account opening.

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Looking for Singapore ‍Company Registration Process Instead?

Registering a company in Singapore is known to be a fuss-free process which could range from a few hours to a few days. The best part? It can be done entirely online. You’ll have to register your company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority in Singapore (ACRA). 

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In a nutshell, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Get company name approved

2. Prepare required incorporation documents

3. Head to the BizFile+ website to kickstart your company registration in Singapore

To ensure your entire online registration process goes smoothly, we’ve covered the in-depth process of registering a company in Singapore here.

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