Documentation Required to Register an Irish Limited Company

Setting up a limited company in Ireland is straightforward, but the CRO won’t process your application unless the documentation is correct and complete. A single missing detail or formatting error can delay incorporation by weeks.

This guide sets out exactly what information and documents you need to register a private company limited by shares (LTD) with the Companies Registration Office, including director details, share capital, the company constitution, and identity verification requirements.

What information do you need before filing?

Before you submit anything to the CRO, you need the following details confirmed and ready:

Company basics

• Proposed company name: Must end in “Limited” or “Ltd” (or the Irish equivalents “Teoranta” or “Teo”). Have two or three backup names in case your first choice is rejected.
• Company type: Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) is the most common type for SMEs. Other types include Designated Activity Company (DAC), Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), and Public Limited Company (PLC).
• Business activity description: A brief statement of the nature of the company’s business. This doesn’t limit what the company can do (LTDs have full and unlimited capacity under the Companies Act 2014), but it’s required for the registration form.

Registered office address

Every Irish company must have a registered office address in the State. This is the official address on the CRO register where legal and regulatory correspondence will be delivered. It doesn’t have to be your trading premises, but it must be a physical address in Ireland (PO boxes are not accepted).

Directors

An LTD requires at least one director. You’ll need the following details for each director:

• Full name (as it appears on official identification)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Residential address
• Service address (the address that will appear on the public register; can be the same as or different from residential)
• PPS number (Personal Public Service Number) or Identified Person Number (IPN) for non-residents. This is mandatory for all CRO filings since June 2023.

At least one director must be resident in an EEA member state. If none of your directors are EEA residents, the company must either appoint one or obtain a Section 137 bond .

Company secretary

Every company must appoint a company secretary. If the company has only one director, the secretary must be a separate person. The same details are required: full name, address, and PPS number or IPN.

Shareholders

You need the details of every initial shareholder (member), including:

• Full name and address
• Number of shares allocated to each shareholder
• Amount paid (or to be paid) per share

For corporate shareholders, the company name, registered number, and registered office address are required.

Share capital

Decide on your initial share capital structure:

• Total number of shares to be issued on incorporation
• Nominal (par) value per share (e.g., €1 per share)
• Share class (ordinary shares for most companies; additional classes if needed)
• Allocation of shares among shareholders

The most common setup for a new Irish company is 100 ordinary shares at €1 each, fully paid on incorporation. There is no minimum share capital requirement for an LTD under the Companies Act 2014.

How to choose a compliant company name

The CRO will reject your application if the proposed company name:

• Is identical or too similar to an existing registered company name
• Is misleading or offensive
• Contains restricted words (such as “bank,” “insurance,” “university,” “society,” or “group”) without the appropriate ministerial or regulatory consent
• Doesn’t end in “Limited,” “Ltd,” “Teoranta,” or “Teo”

Check name availability on the CRO company search before applying. Prepare at least one alternative name in case your first choice is taken.

The company constitution

Under the Companies Act 2014, every LTD must have a constitution. This is a single document that replaces the old Memorandum and Articles of Association. It sets out the company’s internal rules, including how decisions are made, how shares can be transferred, and the powers of directors.

For an LTD, the constitution must contain:

• The company name
• That the company is a “company limited by shares” registered under Part 2 of the Companies Act 2014
• Any supplemental regulations the company adopts (or a statement that none are adopted, in which case the default provisions of the Act apply)

The default provisions of the Companies Act 2014 cover most situations, so many new companies adopt a short-form constitution. For companies with multiple shareholders or complex governance needs, a more detailed constitution is advisable.

The constitution must be signed by each subscriber (initial shareholder) and witnessed.

Identity verification: PPS number or Form VIF

Since June 2023, every director and company secretary must provide identity verification as part of the registration process. For Irish residents, this means providing your PPS number (Personal Public Service Number), which is validated against Department of Social Protection records.

For non-residents without a PPSN, the alternative is to submit a Form VIF (Declaration as to Verification of Identity) to obtain an Identified Person Number (IPN). The Form VIF must be signed by the director and witnessed by a notary public. Digital signatures are not accepted.

If a director already has an RBO transaction number from a previous beneficial ownership filing, that number is automatically reclassified as an IPN and can be used on the incorporation form.

Beneficial ownership details

All Irish companies must register their beneficial owners with the Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO) within five months of incorporation. While this is a separate filing from the CRO registration, you should have beneficial ownership information ready at the time of incorporation.

A beneficial owner is any individual who holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises control over the company. You’ll need their full name, date of birth, nationality, residential address, and the nature and extent of their interest.

How to submit your registration

Company registration in Ireland is done online through the CRO’s CORE filing system using Form A1. The form captures all the information described above: company name, registered office, directors, secretary, shareholders, share capital, constitution, and identity verification details.

The current CRO registration fee is €50 for online filing. Paper filing is more expensive and slower; online is the standard route.

Processing times vary, but standard online applications are typically processed within 5 to 10 business days. Once approved, the CRO issues a Certificate of Incorporation and the company is assigned a CRO number.

What to do after incorporation

Registration with the CRO is just the first step. After incorporation, you’ll also need to:

• Register with Revenue for corporation tax, and for VAT and employer PAYE if applicable
• Register beneficial owners with the RBO within five months
• Open a business bank account (which requires the Certificate of Incorporation and other company documents)
• Set up your bookkeeping system and accounting records from day one
• Maintain statutory registers (members, directors, secretary, interests)
• Note your Annual Return Date (ARD) and ensure you file on time

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to register a company in Ireland?

Standard online registration through CORE takes 5 to 10 business days. Delays are typically caused by name availability issues, incomplete documentation, or PPS number mismatches.

Do I need a solicitor to set up a company?

No. Many companies are set up by accountants or company formation agents without involving a solicitor. However, if your shareholding structure is complex or you’re setting up specific share classes, legal advice on the constitution is worthwhile.

Can a non-Irish resident set up a company in Ireland?

Yes. There is no requirement for directors or shareholders to be Irish residents. However, at least one director must be resident in the EEA, or the company must hold a Section 137 bond. Non-resident directors will need an IPN via Form VIF for CRO filings.

What’s the difference between an LTD and a DAC?

An LTD (private company limited by shares) has full and unlimited capacity under the Companies Act 2014 and is the most flexible company type. A DAC (Designated Activity Company) has a defined objects clause and is used where the company’s activities need to be restricted (e.g., certain regulated entities). For most businesses, an LTD is the right choice.

What if my company name is rejected?

You can resubmit with an alternative name. This is why having backup options ready saves time. The CRO provides reasons for rejection, so you can adjust accordingly.

Need help registering your company?

Getting the documentation right first time avoids delays and ensures your company starts on the right footing. At Kinore, we handle the entire company registration process for our clients, from name checks and constitution drafting to CRO filing, Revenue registration, and setting up your accounting systems.

Book a consultation and let’s get your company registered correctly from day one.

The information provided in this article is for general guidance and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional accounting, tax, or financial advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice tailored to your specific circumstances. While we take care to ensure the content is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, legislation, tax rates, thresholds, and compliance requirements in Ireland can change.