BVI Company Search: Official Registry Guide & Requirements

In June 2025, FATF added the British Virgin Islands to its monitoring list, citing beneficial ownership transparency gaps. Conducting a BVI company search through the Registry of Corporate Affairs requires specific procedures for due diligence processes.

This guide covers requirements, costs, and procedures for effective BVI company search activities.

Registry of Corporate Affairs: The Central Authority

The Registry of Corporate Affairs operates under the BVI Financial Services Commission, directed by Mrs. Myrna Herbert. It administers the BVI Business Companies Act (effective January 1, 2005). Operating hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM AST. Contact: internationalsearches@bvifsc.vg.

The Registry operates through VIRRGIN (Virtual Integrated Registry and Regulatory General Information Network), launched in January 2025. This platform handles company filings, beneficial ownership records, and director registers.

Unlike the UK Companies House or Delaware's system, the BVI does not provide a searchable online database for public access.

The BVI FSC indicates an online function is coming, but has not confirmed a rollout date.

All British Virgin Islands company search requests require formal submission through prescribed channels.

Requesting Company Information from the Registry

Every BVI company search requires specific documentation and fees.

Required Items Checklist

Before submitting a search request, prepare the following:

• Exact company name or registration number
• Completed Form R820 (download from BVI FSC website)
• Payment confirmation ($50 USD minimum)
• Valid email address for electronic delivery
• Specify entity type and required documents

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Determine Search Parameters

Search by exact company name or company number. Company numbers are most reliable. Under section 20(1) of the BVI Business Companies Act, companies may register additional foreign character names in Chinese or other alphabets.

Step 2: Complete Search Request Form R820

Form R820 is required for all requests. Download from the BVI FSC website or request via email. Specify entity type, search criteria, and needed documents.

Step 3: Submit Request

Email completed forms to internationalsearches@bvifsc.vg in PDF format with payment confirmation.

Step 4: Payment

Basic search report: $50 USD. Payment accepted via credit cards, company checks from US banks, money orders, and wire transfers. Personal checks are not accepted.

Step 5: Receive Results

Processing time: 24 hours. Reports are available electronically or on paper. Each report is stamped with the search date, as statuses update daily.

Alternative: Public Search Function

A limited function exists on the BVI FSC website, but document retrieval still requires Form R820. Video tutorial available for guidance.

What a Search Report Contains

The company search BVI procedures provides structured information with specific limitations.

Company Status Definitions

Active: Current on fees and filings.

Struck Off - No Agent: Lost registered agent per section 93.

Struck Off - Non-Payment: Failed fees under section 213(1)(c).

Dissolved: Formally wound up.

Restored: Reinstated after being struck off.

Available Documents and Fees

From transaction history, order certified/uncertified copies:

• Certificate of Incorporation: $75 certified / $50 uncertified
• Memorandum & Articles: $100 certified
• Certificate of Good Standing: $75
• List of Directors: $75 uncertified / $100 certified

Information Restricted from Public Access

Shareholder Registers: Filed but restricted to authorities only.

Beneficial Ownership: Accessible to competent authorities; legitimate interest parties from April 2026.

Internal Documents: Resolutions and agreements remain private.

Common Use Cases for Registry Searches

Professionals across sectors rely on the British Virgin Islands entity search capabilities for different purposes.

Financial Institutions

KYC/AML due diligence before account opening. Enhanced due diligence post-FATF listing.

Legal Professionals

Due diligence for transactions, verifying corporate authority, litigation support, and asset tracing.

Business Partners

Verification before contracts or partnerships, assessing registered agent credibility.

Compliance Teams

Anti-money laundering investigations, fraud detection, and sanctions screening.

Corporate Service Providers

Registered agents verifying entities, administrators conducting periodic checks.

Government Authorities

Tax investigations, regulatory enforcement, and law enforcement. The BVI cooperates with the UK and other jurisdictions through established protocols.

Fees and Turnaround Times

BVI company search costs vary by document type.

Registry Fee Schedule

Basic Search & Reports:

• Search report (basic): $50
• Certificate of Good Standing: $75

Incorporation Documents:

• Certificate of Incorporation (certified): $75
• Certificate of Incorporation (uncertified): $50
• Memorandum & Articles (certified): $100

Corporate Records:

• List of Directors (certified): $100
• List of Directors (uncertified): $75

Filing Fees (2025):

• Beneficial ownership filing (new companies): $125

Processing Timeframes

Processing excludes weekends and BVI public holidays.

Urgent Requests: Contact (284) 494-4190 or support@bvifsc.vg. All fees in USD only.

Understanding Search Constraints

BVI company search processes face multiple limitations.

Access Limitations

No Real-Time Online Portal

Unlike Delaware or the UK Companies House, the BVI requires form submission rather than instant searches. Time-sensitive due diligence needs advance planning for 24-hour processing.

Beneficial Ownership Opacity

Shareholder information held by registered agents is not publicly disclosed. Beneficial owners are accessible only to authorities or legitimate interest parties from April 2026. Registered agents may require company consent before releasing information.

Operational Challenges

Multi-Jurisdictional Complexity

BVI companies operate across jurisdictions. A single BVI entity search may require searches in 5-10 different registries with varying access protocols and fees.

Document Verification

Certificates after July 1, 2014, include Certificate ID numbers. Verify authenticity at the BVI FSC website or contact (284) 494-4190.

Key Takeaways

For Financial Institutions:

• Enhanced due diligence is now standard post-FATF listing
• Certificate of Good Standing demand increased in Q3 2025
• 24-hour processing time requires advance planning

For Legal & Compliance Professionals:

• No public beneficial ownership access until April 2026
• Shareholder registers filed but restricted to the authorities
• Multi-jurisdictional searches are often necessary

For All Users:

• Form R820 required for all searches ($50 minimum)
• Company numbers are more reliable than names
• Verify document authenticity via Certificate ID

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for BVI companies online without submitting forms?

As of today, no comprehensive online database exists for direct public searches. The BVI FSC has indicated that a public search function will be available soon, but complete document retrieval requires a Search Request Form R820 submission with applicable fees. Processing takes approximately 24 hours from submission.

How much does a basic BVI company registry company search cost?

A standard search report costs $50 USD through the Registry of Corporate Affairs. Additional certified documents range from $50 to $100 each, depending on document type. Certificates of Incorporation cost $75 certified or $50 uncertified. All fees are subject to change per FSC regulations.

What's the difference between struck-off and dissolved status?

"Struck off" means the company was removed from the register for non-compliance, typically non-payment of annual fees or loss of a registered agent. Dissolved indicates formal winding up through legal procedures. Struck-off companies cannot legally conduct business. Both statuses can be reversed through restoration.

Can I access beneficial ownership information through a BVI registrar of companies search?

Not publicly. Beneficial ownership data filed in the VIRRGIN system is accessible only to BVI and UK competent authorities. From April 2026, parties with "legitimate interest" may request access, but beneficial owners will be notified and can object. Disclosure is limited to those holding 25% or more.

How long does it take to receive search results?

Standard processing time is 24 hours from submission for electronic search reports. Certified documents typically require 2-4 business days, depending on complexity. Processing excludes weekends and BVI public holidays. Urgent requests may be accommodated by contacting the Registry directly at internationalsearches@bvifsc.vg.

What documents can I obtain through a British Virgin Islands company registration search?

Search reports include company name, number, incorporation date, status, registered agent, office address, and share capital information. Requesters can also obtain certified or uncertified copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, register of charges, and other documents from the transaction history.

Conclusion

Each BVI company search through the Registry of Corporate Affairs requires completing Form R820, paying $50, and waiting 24 hours for processing. The 2025 VIRRGIN system implementation enhanced authority access while maintaining privacy for beneficial owners. FATF grey-listing increased verification importance across sectors.

Current limitations—no online portal, restricted beneficial ownership access, and multi-jurisdictional complexity—require careful planning. Future developments include the anticipated online portal and April 2026 legitimate interest access.

These British Virgin Islands corporation search procedures matter for compliance teams, investors, and legal professionals working with BVI entities.