What Is the NNC1 Form?
The NNC1 is the Incorporation Form for a company limited by shares in Hong Kong, submitted to the Companies Registry alongside the company's Articles of Association and a Business Registration notice (Form IRBR1).
Together, these documents form the core of what's known as Hong Kong's one-stop company and business registration service — a single application that covers both company incorporation and business registration at once. Our guide on Hong Kong business registration covers how this one-stop service works alongside the broader Business Registration Certificate requirements.
The form itself runs 8 pages by default, with continuation sheets (labelled A through E) available if your company has more directors or shareholders than the standard pages accommodate.
Which Form Do You Actually Need: NNC1, NNC1G, or NN1?
These 3 forms get confused constantly, and using the wrong one is an avoidable, entirely preventable delay.
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If you're setting up an ordinary trading or service business, NNC1 is almost certainly the form you need. NNC1G exists specifically for non-profit structures and shouldn't be confused with the standard incorporation form.
What Information Does the NNC1 Form Actually Require?
The form is organised into distinct sections, each covering a different piece of the company's foundational information.
1. Company Name and Type
The proposed company name can be in English, Chinese, or both — though you can't mix English words and Chinese characters within a single name.
It must be unique, not identical or too similar to an existing company already on the Companies Registry, and limited liability companies must end with "Limited."
You'll also confirm the company is limited by shares (as opposed to limited by guarantee), and whether it's registering as a private or public company. Most small and medium businesses register as private companies.
Our guide on what it means to be an incorporated business in Hong Kong covers the broader implications of this choice beyond the form itself.
2. Registered Office Address
This must be a valid Hong Kong address for receiving official correspondence. A P.O. Box is explicitly not accepted — the Companies Registry requires a genuine physical address.
3. Share Capital and Share Class
This section covers the share class being issued (ordinary shares are standard for most SMEs, though preference shares are also possible) and the total number of shares to be issued at incorporation.
4. Founder Members and Directors
Founder members are the initial shareholders of the company, and each one must sign the NNC1 form to confirm their commitment before submission.
Every private company needs at least 1 natural person as a director. Public companies require at least 2 directors, and all directors of a public company must be natural persons rather than corporate entities.
For each director, the form requires:
- Full name, in both English and Chinese where applicable
- Any previous names or aliases
- Residential address
- HKID number or passport number
- Email address
A separate, confidential page collects the full HKID or passport numbers of directors and the company secretary. This information doesn't appear on the public record — it's retained internally by the Registry specifically for verification purposes.
How Do Directors Sign the NNC1 Form?
There are 2 valid routes for a director to formally consent to the appointment.
- Sign directly on the NNC1 form itself, confirming consent to act as director at the point of submission.
- Tick the alternative option on the form and submit a separate Form NNC3 within 15 days after incorporation, for directors who can't sign immediately.
The founder member (shareholder) doesn't have this flexibility. They must sign the NNC1 form itself before submission, confirming they've read the relevant statement and that the information provided is true and accurate.
Where Do You Get the Form, and How Do You Submit It?
The current NNC1 form is available directly from the Companies Registry's website, and it's updated periodically throughout the year — always download the latest version rather than reusing an old copy.
- Visit the Companies Registry website and navigate to "Forms," then "Specified Forms."
- Select "Local company and registered non-Hong Kong company."
- Choose "Incorporation of Local Companies."
- Select "Form NNC1 & IRBR1 — Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares)."
Download the PDF version rather than the Word document. The PDF format is more reliable and avoids the formatting issues that Word documents sometimes introduce — issues that can lead to the Companies Registry rejecting the submission outright.
Submission itself happens through the one-stop service, bundling the NNC1, the Articles of Association, and the IRBR1 business registration notice into a single application, with the relevant fees paid at the same time.
What Does It Cost, and How Long Does It Take?
The core registration fee structure has 2 components — the company incorporation fee and the Business Registration fee, which you elect for either 1 or 3 years through the accompanying IRBR1 form.
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These figures change periodically, so always confirm the current fee directly on the Companies Registry or Inland Revenue Department website before submitting. Processing time for a straightforward, correctly completed application is typically a matter of days, though electronic submission through the Registry's e-filing system tends to be faster than paper filing.
If you're still weighing whether incorporation is the right move at all, our guides on sole proprietorship in Hong Kong and how incorporating can save tax cover that decision, and its cost trade-offs, before you reach the NNC1 form at all.
After Incorporation: Related Forms Worth Knowing
A few follow-up forms come up regularly once a company is up and running, worth knowing about even though they're not part of the initial NNC1 submission.
- Form NNC3 is used specifically for a director's delayed consent, as covered above — filed within 15 days of incorporation if a director didn't sign the NNC1 directly.
- Form ND2A is used to report director changes after incorporation — appointments or resignations — and must be filed within 15 calendar days of the change. There's no fee for this filing, and the Companies Registry typically updates its records within 1 to 3 business days of submission.
NNC1 vs NAR1: A One-Time Form vs an Annual Obligation
These 2 forms get confused because they're both filed with the Companies Registry, but they serve completely different purposes.
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NNC1 gets your company registered. NAR1 keeps it in good standing every year after that. Missing an NAR1 deadline isn't a minor administrative slip either — the Companies Registry has no power to extend the statutory 42-day window, and persistent non-compliance is a criminal offence under the Companies Ordinance, carrying fines and daily default penalties.
Our dedicated guide on filing your Annual Return (NAR1) covers the deadline, fee schedule, and filing process in full, since this is a recurring obligation worth understanding properly rather than leaving entirely to a company secretary to track.
Do You Need to Prepare a Significant Controllers Register Too?
Alongside the NNC1 form itself, every Hong Kong private company is separately required to maintain a Significant Controllers Register (SCR), identifying individuals or entities with significant control over the company — typically those holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant influence over the company.
This isn't submitted as part of the NNC1 application, but it's worth preparing alongside your incorporation paperwork rather than treating it as a separate, later task. The SCR must be kept at the company's registered office or another notified location, and made available for inspection by law enforcement officers on request.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all directors need to sign the NNC1 form directly?
No. A director can either sign the NNC1 form directly, or tick the alternative option and submit Form NNC3 within 15 days after incorporation.
Can I use a P.O. Box as my registered office address on the NNC1 form?
No. The Companies Registry requires a genuine physical Hong Kong address for the registered office — P.O. Box addresses aren't accepted.
How much does it cost to submit the NNC1 form?
Costs include the company incorporation fee and the Business Registration fee, which is around HKD 2,350 for a 1-year certificate as of 1 April 2026. Always confirm the current fee directly with the Companies Registry before submitting.
What's the difference between NNC1 and NAR1?
NNC1 is filed once, to incorporate the company. NAR1 is filed every year afterward, within 42 days of the incorporation anniversary, to confirm the company's directors, shareholders, and registered office details remain accurate.
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