Hong Kong International Corporate Secretaries

Companies Registry Forms Hong Kong: Complete Guide to Company Compliance Filings

Complete directory of Companies Registry forms for Hong Kong companies: incorporation, annual return, director changes, share capital, and more.

Companies Registry Forms Hong Kong for Company Compliance

The Hong Kong Companies Registry requires companies to file specified forms throughout their lifecycle, from incorporation through to deregistration. Below are the companies registry forms hong kong business owners and their advisers need, grouped by category, with form codes and a one-line purpose for each. All forms listed are published on the Companies Registry specified forms index (cr.gov.hk/en/forms/specified.htm), and most can be filed through the e-Services portal at eregistry.gov.hk.

Incorporation Forms

When forming a Hong Kong company, the applicant must file incorporation forms with the Companies Registry together with a business registration application for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

  • NNC1 (with IRBR1): Incorporation Form, Company Limited by Shares
  • NNC1G (with IRBR1): Incorporation Form, Company Not Limited by Shares
  • NNC3: Consent to Act as First Director
  • IRBR1: Notice to filed with the incorporation forms

The NNC1 or NNC1G and NNC3 are the core incorporation forms. The IRBR1 connects the incorporation to the under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310). The e-Services portal accepts electronic filing of these documents.

Hong Kong Company Annual Return Form

Every private company must file an annual return. The hong kong company annual return form is:

  • NAR1: Annual Return

Filing is due within 42 days after the anniversary of the date of incorporation or re-domiciliation. The return date is the company's incorporation anniversary. The on-time registration fee for a private company is HK$105. Late delivery attracts a higher registration fee:

Period late Higher registration fee
More than 42 days but within 3 months HK$870
3 to 6 months HK$1,740
6 to 9 months HK$2,610
More than 9 months HK$3,480

A private company that has declared itself dormant under section 662 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) is exempt from filing the annual return.

Hong Kong Companies Registry Specified Forms

The Companies Registry publishes a complete index of hong kong companies registry specified forms at its website. The forms cover every event a company must report, from appointing a director to altering share capital. The list below follows the Registry's own categories.

Directors and Company Secretary Forms

Every company must keep a register of directors and a register of company secretaries. Changes in these officers or their particulars must be filed promptly.

  • ND2A: Notice of Change of Company Secretary and Director (Appointment or Cessation)
  • ND2B: Notice of Change in Particulars of Company Secretary and Director
  • ND4: Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director
  • ND5: Notice of Change of Reserve Director (Nomination or Cessation)
  • ND7: Notice of Change in Particulars of Reserve Director
  • ND8: Notice of Resignation of Reserve Director

A reserve director stands in when an existing director is absent or unable to act. Form ND2A covers both appointment and cessation of a director or company secretary in a single document. Form ND2B is used when the particulars of an existing officer change , address or name, for instance , but the officer remains in post.

Registered Office and Records Forms

Every company must maintain a registered office in Hong Kong. The address and the location of company records are matters of public record.

  • NR1: Notice of Change of Address of Registered Office
  • NR2: Notice of Location of Registers and Company Records
  • NR3: Notice Relating to Branch Register of Debenture Holders
  • NR4: Notice Relating to Branch Register of Members

File Form NR1 whenever the company moves its registered office. Form NR2 notifies the Registry where the registers of members, directors and company secretaries are kept if they are not at the registered office.

Share Capital Forms

When a company issues shares, buys them back or alters its share capital, it must report the transaction.

  • NSC1: Return of Allotment
  • NSC2: Return of Share Redemption or Buy-back
  • NSC11: Notice of Alteration of Share Capital

Report the allotment of shares within one month of the allotment date. A buy-back or redemption of shares is reported on Form NSC2. Any other alteration of share capital , a subdivision or consolidation, for example , is reported on Form NSC11.

Name and Charges Forms

A company may change its name, and if it creates a charge over its assets, the charge must be registered.

  • NNC2: Notice of Change of Company Name
  • NM1: Statement of Particulars of Charge
  • NM2: Notification of Payment, Satisfaction of Debt or Release from Charge

File Form NNC2 after a special resolution changing the company name has been passed. Form NM1 registers a charge created by the company. Form NM2 notifies the Registry that a charge has been fully satisfied or released.

Companies Registry Filing Fees Hong Kong

The companies registry filing fees hong kong schedule is set by the Companies (Fees) Regulations under Cap. 622. Fees vary by form and by filing channel. Electronic filing through the e-Services portal is generally lower than paper filing. The annual return fee is the most common cost: the on-time registration fee of HK$105 rises steeply if the form is late. A fee calculator is available on the e-Services portal. Always check the current fee schedule on the Registry's website before filing. Fees are revised periodically.

Deregistration Form

When a solvent company has ceased business and meets the conditions under section 750 of Cap. 622, it may apply for deregistration.

The company must have no outstanding liabilities, must have the consent of all members, and must not have commenced business or must have ceased trading for at least three months. If the application is approved, the company is struck off the register and dissolved.

Registered Non-Hong Kong Company Forms

A non-Hong Kong company that establishes a place of business in Hong Kong must register under Part 16 of Cap. 622.

  • NN1 (with IRBR2): Application for Registration as a Registered Non-Hong Kong Company
  • NN3: Annual Return of a Registered Non-Hong Kong Company
  • NN6: Return of Change of Company Secretary and Director
  • NN9: Return of Change of Address of a Registered Non-Hong Kong Company

Form NN1 is the initial registration application. Form NN3 is the equivalent of the annual return for a local company. Form NN6 reports changes to the company secretary or director, and Form NN9 reports a change of the registered address.

Filing Channels

The primary filing channel is the Companies Registry e-Services portal. Electronic filing is faster, cheaper and avoids paper handling. Paper forms are accepted by post or in person at the Registry's counter. The Inland Revenue Department accepts profits tax returns through its Business Tax Portal and the Tax Representative Portal. Mandatory electronic filing of profits tax returns began on 1 April 2026 for relevant entities of in-scope multinational enterprise groups from the year of assessment 2025-26. Electronic filers tag financial statements and tax computations in iXBRL. The IRD has stated an intention to reach full electronic filing by 2030.

Certified True Copies

Order a certified true copy of any filed form or document on the company's public record from the Companies Registry through the e-Services portal or in person. The fee depends on the number of pages. The Registry's integrated company search provides electronic images of filed documents.

Full List on the Registry Website

The Companies Registry specified forms index at cr.gov.hk/en/forms/specified.htm is the definitive source. Always link to the Registry's own index rather than reproducing a form. The Registry revises them and a stale copy is worse than none. For Inland Revenue Department forms, refer to the IRD forms index at ird.gov.hk/eng/paf/bus.htm.

Common questions

Can I be my own company secretary?

The article does not state the eligibility criteria for a company secretary. It lists the forms required to appoint a company secretary, such as ND2A for appointment or cessation, and ND2B to change their particulars. For specific eligibility rules, you should refer to the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or seek professional advice.

What happens if I file my annual return a week late?

If you file your annual return more than 42 days late, you must pay a higher registration fee. The fee increases based on how late the filing is. For a period of more than 42 days but within three months, the higher registration fee is HK$870. The standard on-time fee is HK$105.

How do I change my company's registered office address?

To change your company's registered office address, you must file Form NR1 with the Companies Registry. This form is used to notify the Registry of the new address. Filing can be done electronically through the e-Services portal or by submitting a paper form by post or in person at the Registry's counter.

Do I have to file an annual return if my company is dormant?

No, a private company that has declared itself dormant under section 662 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) is exempt from filing the annual return. The article states this exemption clearly. The standard filing requirement for an active company is to submit the NAR1 form within 42 days of its incorporation anniversary.

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