Company creation: formalities for the registration of a business
Verified 25 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
When creating a business, there are a number of essential steps to complete. One of them is registration. This is the declaration of the business' activity with the administration.
The documents to be attached when registering the business differ according to the type of business. The businesses concerned are:
- Business businesses: Limited Liability Company (LLC), single-member company with limited liability (EURL), Simplified share business (SAS), Single person simplified share business (SASU), Public limited company (SA)
- Civil businesses: Professional Civil business (PCS), Civilian business of Means (SCM), Business of liberal practice (SEL), civil real estate Business (SCI).
commercial business
The application for registration must be made when all the formalities for setting up the business have been completed, that is, after the following steps:
- Formalities related to regulated activities : for example, applications for accreditation, obtaining certain diplomas or permits
- Declaration by beneficial owners : to find out if your business is concerned and how to do this, you can consult the dedicated card
- Domiciliation of the business : the head office of the business is to be determined. We must also think about to make themselves known in the post office to receive documents relating to the business after its registration
- Appointment of the director : the partners or sole partner must appoint the business manager
- Adoption of statutes : the statutes of the business contain all relevant information concerning the functioning of the business. In case ofcontribution in kind, it is necessary to appoint a commissioner for contributions in order to assess the amount of the contribution and to indicate this in the articles of association
- Publish business creation : once the statutes have been adopted, the creation of the business must be published in a medium entitled to receive legal announcements (Shal). This step takes place before the application for registration
- Filing of the share capital : once constituted, the share capital of the business must be deposited into an account. It can be recovered after the registration of the business
- Acquisition of the various registers : it is important not to forget to buy different mandatory records relating to the business' accounts or employees.
It is possible start the activity before the registration of the business. In this case, it is important to indicate on all documents the words "Business in training". An annex to the articles of association must also be drawn up, indicating all the documents passed before the application for registration was made.
The application for registration of the business must be made on the website of the company formalities office:
Once the request is made, the business is automatically entered in the National company Register (NBR) and the Trade and businesses Register (TBR).
FYI
An entry in the Special Register of Commercial Agents (SFCR) is also made in the event of the exercise of the profession ofsales agent.
The documents to be provided vary according to the type of business:
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EURL
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration of beneficial owners of the business
- Copy of company Project Support Contract (Cape) for creating or resuming an activity
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the manager:
- ID
- Original of the statement on the honor of non-conviction dated and signed by the leader. It must show the filiation of the leader
- If he is not named in the statutes: his act of designation
- In case of collaborating Civil partnerships or partners: proof of marriage or Civil partnerships.
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
SARL
When applying for registration of the business on the website of the company formalities office, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the manager:
- ID
- Original of the statement on the honor of non-conviction dated and signed by the leader. It must show the filiation of the leader
- If he is not named in the statutes: his act of designation
- In case of collaborating Civil partnerships or partners: proof of marriage or Civil partnerships
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
LOCK
The documents to be provided differ according to the status of the manager (natural person or legal person).
Executive (natural person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma.
- Documents concerning the manager (natural person):
- ID
- Original of the statement on the honor of non-conviction dated and signed by the leader. It must show the filiation of the leader
- If he is not named in the statutes: his act of designation
- In case of collaborating Civil partnerships or partners: proof of marriage or Civil partnerships.
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Executive (legal person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma.
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in theEuropean Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its Permanent Representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the document confirming the place of permanent representative of the administrative business
SASU
The documents to be provided differ according to the status of the manager (natural person or legal person).
Executive (natural person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- Copy of company Project Support Contract (Cape) for creating or resuming an activity
- Documents concerning the manager (natural person):
- ID
- Original of the statement on the honor of non-conviction dated and signed by the leader. It must show the filiation of the leader
- If he is not named in the statutes: his act of designation
- In case of collaborating Civil partnerships or partners: proof of marriage or Civil partnerships.
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Executive (legal person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- Copy of company Project Support Contract (Cape) for creating or resuming an activity
- Documents concerning the head of a legal person:
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in theEuropean Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its Permanent Representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the document confirming the place of permanent representative of the administrative business
SA to Board of Directors
Depending on the status of directors and officer (natural person or legal person) the documents to be provided are different.
Director and officer (natural person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in the European Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its permanent representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the document confirming the place of permanent representative of the administrative business
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Director and officer (legal person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in the European Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its permanent representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the document confirming the place of permanent representative of the administrative business
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
SA with Executive Board and Supervisory Board
On the basis of the status of the members of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board and the Director (natural person or legal person) the documents to be provided are different.
Members and managers (natural person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in the European Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its permanent representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the act confirming the place of permanent representative of the Member business or the Director
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Members and officers (legal person)
When applying for registration of the business at the company formalities window, a number of particulars shall be given and the following documents shall be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in the European Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its permanent representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the act confirming the place of permanent representative of the Member business or the Director
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Once the file has been deposited on the company formalities window, the business receives a receipt for the deposit of a company creation file (RDDCE) which includes the words " Waiting for registration ”.
This receipt is important because it makes it possible to carry out all the necessary procedures with public and private organizations. For example, it will be able to subscribe to compulsory insurance and complementary services necessary to the needs of its activity.
The receipt is valid until she receives the notification the companies' formalities desk confirming the company's registration. The maximum period of validity of the receipt is 1 month.
Once the registration has been carried out, the micro-company receives a proof (or certificate) of registration containing its identification numbers (Siren, EPA code...).
If the file is incomplete, the companies’ Formalities Window sends a receipt indicating the missing items. They must then be transmitted within 15 days working days upon receipt of this receipt.
civil business
The application for registration must be made when all the formalities for setting up the business have been completed, that is, after the following steps:
- Formalities related to regulated activities : for example, applications for accreditation, obtaining certain diplomas or permits
- Declaration by beneficial owners : to find out if your business is concerned and how to do this, you can consult the dedicated card
- Domiciliation of the business : the head office of the business is to be determined. We must also think about to make themselves known in the post office to receive documents relating to the business after its registration
- Appointment of the director : the partners or sole partner must appoint the business manager
- Adoption of statutes : the statutes of the business contain all relevant information concerning the functioning of the business. In case ofcontribution in kind, it is necessary to appoint a commissioner for contributions in order to assess the amount of the contribution and to indicate this in the articles of association
- Publish business creation : once the statutes have been adopted, the creation of the business must be published in a medium entitled to receive legal announcements (Shal). This step takes place before the application for registration
- Filing of the share capital : once constituted, the share capital of the business must be deposited into an account. It can be recovered after the registration of the business
- Acquisition of the various registers : it is important not to forget to buy different mandatory records relating to the business' accounts or employees.
It is possible start the activity before the registration of the business. In this case, it is important to indicate on all documents the words "Business in training". An annex to the articles of association must also be drawn up, indicating all the documents passed before the application for registration was made.
The application for registration of the business must be made on the website of the company formalities office:
Once the request is made, the business is automatically entered in the National company Register (NBR) and the Trade and businesses Register (TBR).
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General case
The documents to be provided differ according to the status of the manager (natural person or legal person).
Executive (natural person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the manager (natural person):
- ID
- Original of the statement on the honor of non-conviction dated and signed by the leader. It must show the filiation of the leader
- If he is not named in the statutes: his act of designation
- In case of collaborating Civil partnerships or partners: proof of marriage or Civil partnerships.
Executive (legal person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in theEU (EU), a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its Permanent Representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the document confirming the place of permanent representative of the administrative business
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
PCS
The documents to be provided differ according to the status of the manager (natural person or legal person).
Executive (natural person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Authorization to practice issued by the competent authority or entry on the list or table of the professional order.
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the manager (natural person):
- ID
- Original of the statement on the honor of non-conviction dated and signed by the leader. It must show the filiation of the leader
- If he is not named in the statutes: his act of designation
- In case of collaborating Civil partnerships or partners: proof of marriage or Civil partnerships.
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Executive (legal person)
When applying for registration of the business on the company formalities window, a certain amount of information must be provided and the following documents must be attached:
- Dated and signed business statuses
- Authorization to practice issued by the competent authority or entry on the list or table of the professional order.
- Proof of residence with clearly identifiable address (e.g. water, electricity or gas bill)
- Certificate of publication of the notice of establishment in a legal listing support
- Declaration by beneficial owners of the business
- In the case of regulated activity: copy of the license, diploma or diploma
- Documents concerning the director (legal person):
- Siren Number the business (or a document attesting to its existence if it is not registered)
- If the business is not registered in theEuropean Union, a copy of its statutes translated into French and certified by its Permanent Representative
- For the Permanent Representative of the business:
- Copy of his ID card
- Declaration on Honor non-conviction and proof of parentage (dated and signed)
- Copy of the document confirming the place of permanent representative of the administrative business
FYI
If the person who carries out the registration formality is not the manager, he must attach to the application a copy of the power (authentic instrument or privately signed document) authorizing him to make representations on behalf of the company.
Once the file has been deposited on the company formalities window, the business receives a receipt for the deposit of a company creation file (RDDCE) which includes the words " Waiting for registration ”.
This receipt is important because it makes it possible to carry out all the necessary procedures with public and private organizations. For example, it will be able to subscribe to compulsory insurance and complementary services necessary to the needs of its activity.
The receipt is valid until she receives the notification the companies' formalities desk confirming the company's registration. The maximum period of validity of the receipt is 1 month.
Once the registration has been carried out, the micro-company receives a proof (or certificate) of registration containing its identification numbers (Siren, EPA code...).
If the file is incomplete, the companies’ Formalities Window sends a receipt indicating the missing items. They must then be transmitted within 15 days working days upon receipt of this receipt.
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