A Certificate of Official Search is the document a foreign bank, investor or law firm asks for when they want a written confirmation from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) about the status of a Seychelles company. CommercialRegister LTD handles the full Apostille Certificate of Official Search Seychelles procedure for corporate clients, fiduciaries and law firms who need the certificate legalised for use abroad.
The Hague Apostille Convention has applied to the Seychelles since 1979, and the Apostille issued by the Supreme Court of Seychelles is accepted in 120+ countries worldwide. We request the search at the FSA, have the Supreme Court of Seychelles add the Apostille, and send you the result by email and, if you wish, by DHL Express, normally within 2 to 6 business days. You do not need to fly to Victoria, and you do not need to send anything on paper.
When you need it
The Certificate of Official Search is rarely a stand-alone document. It usually travels as part of a corporate file that a foreign institution needs to accept under their own compliance rules.
- Banking KYC and account opening. Foreign banks frequently request a Certificate of Official Search alongside the Certificate of Incumbency to confirm the current status of a Seychelles company before opening a corporate account.
- Due diligence on Seychelles companies. Law firms and corporate service providers commissioning external due diligence rely on the certificate as the official Registrar confirmation of the target company’s existence and status.
- M&A target verification. Buyers acquiring a Seychelles entity ask for an apostilled Certificate of Official Search as part of the closing bundle, so the deal documents can be filed and recognised in the buyer’s jurisdiction.
- Litigation and court filings abroad. When a Seychelles company is a party to foreign proceedings, the court usually wants apostilled proof of corporate existence from the FSA.
- Investor and regulator requests. Private equity funds, family offices and financial regulators sometimes require the document before approving a Seychelles entity as a counterparty.
Most of our clients on this document are based in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany and South Africa.
How it works
We order a fresh original from the Financial Services Authority. You send nothing but the company name and number.
- You give us the company name and IBC numberNothing else to send. We check the number before you pay.
- The FSA issues a new original1–3 business days
- The Supreme Court adds the Apostille1–3 business days
- You receive itAs a PDF by email, and the original by DHL Express if you choose it.
What the certificate contains
It confirms the company name, number, date of incorporation, registered agent and current status, for example active, struck off or dissolved. It does not list directors or shareholders: in the Seychelles that information is not public and does not appear on the certificate.
No notary needed
The certificate is issued and signed by the FSA, a public authority. It therefore goes straight to the Supreme Court for the Apostille, without a notary in between. This is why the price is fixed and the process is short.
What we need from you
- Exact company name
- IBC number
- Purpose and country of use
Prices
| Service | Price | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| FSA certificate with Apostille | 159 € | Good Standing, Incorporation, Official Search |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 149 € | Countries outside the Hague Convention, some medical documents |
| Embassy attestation in Victoria | 149 € | Only if the destination country asks for it; embassy fees may be added |
| DHL Express, worldwide | 99 € | Once per order, however many documents |
| PDF by email | included | Every order |
Countries outside the Hague Convention
If the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, a single Apostille from the Supreme Court of Seychelles is enough. This covers 120+ jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, the European Union states, Switzerland, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and most of Latin America.
If the destination is not a Hague member, for example the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Vietnam or several African states, the document instead needs attestation by the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs (+149 EUR) followed by attestation at the destination country’s embassy. Embassy fees vary by country.
If you are unsure which route applies to your case, see our embassy attestation service page or send us the destination country and we will confirm before you order.
Questions
What exactly does a Certificate of Official Search confirm?
It is a written confirmation issued by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) stating the current status of a named company, including whether it is on the register, struck off or in good standing, plus key registered details. Foreign banks and law firms treat it as the official Registrar position on the company at the date of issue.
How recent does the Certificate of Official Search need to be?
Most banks and counterparties want one dated within the last three months. If your filing deadline is further out, we suggest waiting and ordering the search closer to submission so it does not expire in the recipient's eyes.
Can you obtain the certificate from the Registrar on our behalf?
Yes. If you do not already hold a recent search, we can request it directly from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as part of the order. You only need to give us the company name and registration number.
Is a personal visit to Seychelles required?
No. Everything is handled by email. We work the file in Victoria and send you the result by email and, if you wish, by DHL.
What is the typical turnaround?
Two to six business days: one to three at the FSA, then one to three at the Supreme Court, plus DHL Express transit if you want the paper original.
Does the Apostille itself expire?
The Apostille has no expiry date of its own. What can become stale is the underlying Certificate of Official Search, which most institutions want fresh, so the practical shelf life of the apostilled set is usually three to six months.
What if the destination country is not in the Hague Convention?
In that case the Apostille is followed by MFA attestation (+149 EUR) followed by attestation at the relevant embassy. Tell us the country and we will quote the full chain before you commit.
What happens if the FSA cannot find the company?
The FSA then issues a negative reply instead of a certificate. A search was carried out and paid for, so the service counts as delivered. Check the name and number before ordering; we warn you if a number cannot be an IBC number.
Is the search useful for a dissolved company?
Yes. It is the usual way to obtain an official statement that a company has been struck off or dissolved, including the date.