Wherever you are submitting details of your BVI company—be it for opening a bank account, registering with a payment service provider, raising investment, or applying for a loan—in our experience working with hundreds of BVI companies, the first document they’ll almost always ask for is your BVI Certificate of Incorporation. And it makes sense. This certificate is an official confirmation from the BVI companies registry that your entity legally exists.
In regulated industries like banking, finance, or insurance, even though institutions may ask for a dozen different documents, the certificate of incorporation is often the first gatekeeper. Only after confirming that your company is a valid legal entity will they consider any additional documentation such as compliance filings, ownership disclosures, or financials.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Certificate of Incorporation for BVI companies—what it is, what it looks like, how to get one, and how to verify its authenticity.
Table of Contents
What is a BVI Certificate of Incorporation
A BVI Certificate of Incorporation (BVI CI) is an official document issued by the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004. It confirms that a company has been legally incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. The certificate acts as legal proof that the entity exists and has been formed in accordance with BVI law.
This document is essential for proving the company’s legitimacy to external parties such as banks, regulators, and corporate partners. In short, it’s the company’s official “birth certificate.”
A certificate of incorporation in the BVI marks a company’s creation and signifies that an entity has successfully met all initial registration requirements set forth by BVI law and has been officially recorded on the BVI Register of Companies. Without this certificate, your company remains a mere concept, unable to legally operate, contract, or hold assets.
Uses of a Certificate of Incorporation in the BVI
The British Virgin Islands Certificate of Incorporation is often required for:
- Lost or damaged the originally issued certificate of incorporation
- Opening offshore or onshore business bank accounts
- Registering the company with tax authorities in other jurisdictions
- Onboarding to marketplaces, payment service providers, or financial platforms
- Legal or regulatory compliance during M&A, due diligence, and audits
- Obtaining licenses or permits internationally
It is one of the core corporate KYC documents required by many institutions worldwide. Every BVI company must maintain its original certificate of incorporation at the company’s records location, alongside other corporate documents and accounting records.
Who Issues the Certificate of Incorporation for a BVI Company?
The BVI company Certificate of Incorporation is issued by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs, operating under the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC). The certificate is generated immediately upon successful registration of a company under the BVI Business Companies Act.
What Information is Contained in a BVI Certificate of Incorporation?
A standard BVI CI includes the following details:
- Company Name: The official name as recorded in the Register, including the name ending, such as Inc., Ltd., Limited, etc.
- BVI Company Number (BCN): Unique 9-digit identifier for the company
- Type of Company: E.g., Business Company, Limited by Shares
- Date of Incorporation: The exact date the company was formed
- QR Code and Certificate ID: To enable online verification of the BVI certificate of incorporation on FSC’s official website
- Registrar’s Signature and Date: Official signature of the Registrar of Corporate Affairs and the date of signature.
- BVI FSC Seal: Authentication stamp verifying the certificate’s legitimacy
Sample of a Certificate of Incorporation Issued to a BVI Company
Below is a sample BVI Certificate of Incorporation providing a clear visual reference of what an actual certificate looks like, showing how each key detail is presented.
Fees to Obtain a BVI Company Certificate of Incorporation
A digital British Virgin Islands Certificate of Incorporation is issued automatically when a company is incorporated—there are no additional charges as the fee is covered in the incorporation govoernment fee.
If you require an original physical certificate, the following applies:
- At incorporation: Add US$50 to receive an original BVI certificate of incorporation
- Post-incorporation: Anyone (related or unrelated to the company) can obtain the certificate by paying:
- US$50 government fee
- Service provider fee (varies)
- Shipping fee of US$169 if you want international courier delivery
How to Obtain a BVI Certificate of Incorporation
There are two primary scenarios for obtaining a BVI Certificate of Incorporation: at the very inception of your company, and anytime thereafter should you require an additional copy.
Situation 1: At the Time of Incorporation (The Standard Process)
This is the most common scenario. When your company is successfully incorporated in the BVI, the digital version of the Certificate of Incorporation is automatically issued by the BVI FSC. There are no additional charges for this digital version, as its cost is absorbed into the initial government fee for company incorporation.
If you require the original physical document of the BVI CI at this stage, you will need to pay an additional government fee of US$50. Once obtained, your Registered Agent (or Expanship, if you are working with us) can then arrange for it to be couriered to your international address.
Situation 2: Anytime After Incorporation or Anyone Who is Unrelated to the Company
If your company is already incorporated and you need an additional copy of its BVI Certificate of Incorporation, or if you are an external third party seeking this document, the process is facilitated through your BVI Registered Agent or a service provider.
- Contact Your Registered Agent: Your first step is to contact your current BVI Registered Agent. If you are not affiliated with the company, or if you are working with Expanship for your BVI company, you can reach out to us directly.
- Provide Company Identification: Clearly state the company name or the BVI Company Number (BCN) for which you need the Certificate of Incorporation.
- Specify Your Requirements: Communicate your precise needs. Do you require an uncertified or certified copy? Do you prefer a digital version for immediate use or a physical version for formal submissions? Do you require certification by professionals such as a lawyer or notary public?
- Confirm and Pay Fees: You will be advised of the total cost, which includes the government fee and the service provider’s administrative charges. If you opt for a physical copy, remember to factor in the shipping fee.
- Receive Your Documents: The digital version will be promptly sent to your email. If you’ve chosen a physical copy, it will be securely dispatched to your international address via courier. The shipping fee for international delivery is typically US$169.
Who Can Obtain a Certificate of Incorporation of a BVI Company?
There are no restrictions on who can obtain a company’s Certificate of Incorporation.
This means that the BVI Certificate of Incorporation can be obtained by:
- Company Insiders: Any authorized member of the company, including its directors, shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), or designated contact persons.
- Authorized Representatives: Legal representatives, accountants, or other authorized individuals acting on behalf of the company.
- Unrelated Third-Parties: Notably, anyone who is not directly related to the company in any formal capacity can also obtain a copy of the BVI Certificate of Incorporation. This often includes:
- Due diligence providers.
- Legal firms conducting research.
- Financial institutions verifying company existence.
- Potential business partners.
- Journalists or researchers.
For example, recently, a UK investor used Expanship to obtain a BVI CI for a partner company, confirming its legitimacy before funding.
Verification of a Certificate of Incorporation in the BVI
Method 1: BVI FSC Website
The most reliable and immediate method to verify a BVI Certificate of Incorporation is through the dedicated “Certificate Verification” feature on the British Virgin Islands FSC’s official website. This allows anyone with the Certificate ID to confirm its validity.
Step 1: Locate the Certificate ID
Locate the unique Certificate ID printed on your BVI Certificate of Incorporation. You can also use your mobile phone to scan the QR code that is printed on the top-right corner of the certificate. Refer to the below screenshot to locate it easily.
Step 2: Visit BVI FSC’s Verification Portal
Head over to the BVI FSC’s official Certificate Validation page. Input the located alphanumeric Certificate ID code into the designated field on the website, as shown in the screenshot below. Click the “Submit” button. The system will then process your request by querying the BVI FSC’s official database.
Step 3: Review the Verification Result
Upon successful verification, the website will display key details about the certificate, including your company’s number, company name, and the specific type of certificate (in this instance, “Certificate of Incorporation”).
Step 4: Download an e-Copy of the Certificate
Crucially, you will also be provided with an option to “Download certificate,” which will allow you to obtain an official electronic “copy” of the original certificate as issued by the BVI FSC. This downloaded version serves as definitive proof of its authenticity and content. Below is the example of an electronic copy that is downloaded using the FSC’s certificate verification feature.
Method 2: Certification
You can have the CI certified by a notary public, lawyer, or Apostilled. Even though the certificate can be verified online, as explained in the previous method, some requestors still insist on obtaining a certified document. Be sure to contact your requestor beforehand to determine their expectations and the type of certification they are looking for.
We’ve assisted clients whose international banks originally requested certified copies, but later accepted digitally verified versions once they understood the FSC’s official system. This trend reflects growing institutional trust in BVI’s digital verification infrastructure.
Validity and Re-Application
The BVI Certificate of Incorporation has no expiration date. It lists basic details (company name, registration number, incorporation date) that remain valid unless the company is dissolved.
Whenever the need arises, you can apply and obtain certificate of incorporation of your company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is a BVI Certificate of Incorporation?
It’s an official document issued by the BVI FSC that confirms your company’s legal formation.
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Is this the same as a business license?
No. A Certificate of Incorporation proves company formation; a license is a separate permit to conduct regulated activities.
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How long does it take to get it?
It is usually issued instantly upon successful incorporation.
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Can I request a replacement?
Yes, through your registered agent. Standard processing takes 1–3 business days.
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Is it required for opening a bank account?
Yes. It’s one of the core KYC documents banks ask for.
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Can I verify if a Certificate is real?
Yes, use the BVI FSC’s official Certificate Validation tool online.
Conclusion
The BVI Certificate of Incorporation confirms your company’s legal formation and is essential for activities like opening bank accounts, raising capital, or meeting regulatory requirements. It contains the most basic yet critical information about your company and can be requested by anyone at any time. Knowing how to access and verify this certificate ensures you’re never held back by missing paperwork.
If you’re unsure about what type of certificate is needed—certified, notarized, or simply digital—contact our team at Expanship, so can guide you based on the requesting party’s requirements.