How to Check Singapore Company Registration Number?

Why is it necessary to verify a company?

When you're conducting business transactions in Singapore, verifying the registration of companies isn't just a formality—it's a safeguard for your business. Ensuring that your partners are legitimate can help you reduce risks, protect your investments, and establish strong, trustworthy relationships. Here’s why this step is critical for you as a business owner:

Shield Your Business from Fraud and Financial Risks

Imagine partnering with a company that turns out to be unregistered or involved in fraudulent activities. The financial losses, legal complications, and damage to your business reputation could be immense. Verifying a company's registration helps you avoid such risks by ensuring you're dealing with legitimate entities.

Steer Clear of Unreliable Business Partners

Partnering with an unregistered company can bring its own set of challenges. These businesses may lack the experience, financial stability, or infrastructure to meet their commitments. This can lead to project delays, unmet expectations, and even financial losses for you. 

By verifying a company’s registration, you can assess their ability to deliver on their promises and avoid partnerships that could jeopardise your operations or reputation.

Build Trust and Strengthen Business Relationships

Would you trust a business partner who doesn’t meet basic legal and financial requirements? Registered companies in Singapore undergo stringent screening to ensure they comply with regulations. When you verify a company’s registration, you confirm their legitimacy and credibility, making it easier to build a foundation of trust. This trust not only strengthens your business relationships but also demonstrates to your clients, investors, and stakeholders that you are committed to working with reliable partners.

Protect Your Reputation

Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Associating with an unregistered or fraudulent company can tarnish your credibility, making customers and investors question your judgment.

Verifying a company before entering into any agreements helps you avoid these pitfalls. You can confidently move forward with partnerships, knowing you’ve done your due diligence to protect your business’s reputation in the market.

💡 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.

Where Can You Check a Company's Details in Singapore?

If you're looking to verify a company's details in Singapore, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) has got you covered. ACRA provides comprehensive Business Information Services to help you easily access accurate and up-to-date information about any registered business.

What is ACRA?

ACRA, short for Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, is a Singapore government agency responsible for regulating businesses, public accountants, and corporate service providers.

This agency maintains detailed records on all companies registered in Singapore, including:

•     Registration status (e.g., whether the company is "live").
•     Details of directors and shareholders.
•     Types of business activities conducted.
•     The company’s registered address.

What Tools Do ACRA Offer to Verify a Business Entity in Singapore?

When dealing with a business entity, it’s crucial to verify its legitimacy before proceeding further. ACRA offers several tools to help you access key information and perform background checks. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Free Directory Search

Use ACRA’s free online directory search to gather essential details about a business entity:

• Ensure the entity’s status is marked as ‘live’ on ACRA’s register, confirming it is currently active and operational.
• Verify the validity of the business’s registered address. If the entity cannot be contacted or appears to have suddenly moved, proceed with caution.

This service is also accessible via BizQuery on OneMap, which integrates ACRA’s directory search with SLA’s OneMap for added convenience.

2. Purchase a Business Profile

For a deeper analysis, you can purchase a Business Profile on ACRA’s iShop. This document provides comprehensive information, such as:

• Learn when the company was incorporated and its history.
• Financial Data: Understand issued and paid-up capital to assess its financial health.
• Check details of directors, secretaries, and shareholders.

This profile helps you evaluate the legitimacy of businesses, including those offering solutions to problems involving other entities.

3. People Profile

If you need to investigate individuals linked to a business, the People Profile provides insights into:

• The business entities they are involved in.
• Their roles within these entities.
• The status of the entities.

This is particularly useful for assessing the credibility of people behind a company.

Wondering how to find company registration number? Well, let's find out. 

How to Find Company Registration Number in Singapore?

ACRA’s filing portal, BizFile, allows anyone to access Singapore company registration number check and other basic details 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.

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 You Specifically Look Out For?

A company's registration in Singapore is just one thing out of the many that you need to check about a company. 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. Business Activities

If a company seems to be jumping into all sorts of unrelated or questionable business activities, that’s not a great sign. A little diversification is fine—it’s smart, even—but if the company feels like it’s trying to do everything or keeps switching industries with no clear purpose, it’s worth pausing to dig deeper. It could mean they’re unstable or, worse, up to something shady.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Annual General Meeting (AGM)

When you check a company’s profile, if you see “N.A.” under the AGM section, that’s a warning bell. It means they haven’t held any recent Annual General Meetings—or worse, they just didn’t bother telling ACRA about it.

AGMs are where companies lay everything out for their shareholders—updates, plans, finances. If a company skips this or doesn’t follow through with ACRA, it might mean they’re hiding something, or they’re just plain disorganised. Either way, it’s a sign to tread carefully.

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.

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). 

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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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an ACRA registration number?

It’s a unique identification number assigned to every business registered in Singapore by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Think of it as your business’s official ID.

2. How can I get an ACRA business profile?

You can download a basic business profile for free using ACRA’s online directory search. For more detailed reports, like shareholder or financial info, you can purchase a paid Business Profile via ACRA’s iShop.

3. What critical information do I need to check if a company is registered in Singapore?

Look for the company’s:

• Singapore Company Registration Number Check
• Status (e.g., “live” or inactive)
• Registered address
• Directors and shareholders

This ensures you’re dealing with a legitimate business.

4. Is there a list of all companies registered in Singapore?

Yes! ACRA’s online directory lets you search through all registered businesses in Singapore for free.

5. How do I register a business in Singapore?

Registering a business is simple. Check out our guide on how to get started here.

6. What is the cost of business registration in Singapore?

For most businesses, registration fees start at S$115 for sole proprietorships and partnerships, and S$315 for companies.

7. Is registration required for small businesses in Singapore?

Yes, even small businesses need to register unless you’re a freelancer or running a private venture under your own name.

8. Can I Register a Company in Singapore with a Virtual Office Address?

Yes, you can! Here’s how it works:

1. Business Address Requirement

When registering your company with ACRA, you need to provide:

• A business address (this can be a virtual office address).
• A residential address for records.

2. Virtual Office Addresses

Many corporate service providers in Singapore offer virtual office services that meet ACRA’s requirements. These services provide you with:

• A professional business address.
• Mail handling and forwarding options.

3. Privacy for Residential Address

If you don’t want your residential address to be public, you can use an alternative address, such as one provided by a virtual office or a corporate service provider.

4. Choosing the Right Option

Ensure the virtual office service you select complies with ACRA’s rules for your type of business entity. Compare providers to find one that suits your needs.