Copy of company records Kenya
Biz Brokers Kenya assists clients to obtain and review company records in Kenya, including CR12 / official company searches, directors and shareholders information, registered office details, shareholding structure and status information reflected at the Companies Registry.
Use this service when you need to verify a Kenyan company before contracting, onboarding a supplier, opening a bank account, preparing a tender file, checking ownership, confirming company status or carrying out preliminary business due diligence.
Quick answer
A CR12 or official company search is the standard record used to confirm current directors, shareholders and company particulars in Kenya.
What we need
Send the company name or registration number and tell us whether you need a basic CR12, certified copies, ownership verification or a deeper due diligence report.
Company Director and shareholder information Kenya
A company search can help confirm who is currently recorded as a director or shareholder of a Kenyan company. It can also show the shareholding structure and registered office details available from the official company records.
Our company records search services include
- Company name and registration number confirmation.
- Current directors and shareholders search.
- Shareholding structure and nominal share capital review.
- Registered office and company address information.
- Company status and annual return filing status, where reflected.
- Charges, mortgages or debentures registered against the company, where available.
- Support with certified company documents or deeper company due diligence, where required.
How to get a CR12 or official company search in Kenya
Company records are requested through the Business Registration Service on eCitizen. The Companies Registry maintains statutory records for companies and includes Official Search and CR12 services among its Companies Registry services.
Basic procedure
- Confirm the exact company name or registration number.
- Log in to eCitizen and open Business Registration Service.
- Select the Official Search / CR12 service for companies.
- Enter the company details and applicant information.
- Pay the applicable official fee shown by the portal.
- Download or collect the search output once generated.
- Review the output for directors, shareholders, shareholding, registered office and status information.
Requirements for a company records search
- Registered company name and/or registration number.
- Applicant details for the official search request.
- Reason for the search, for example due diligence, tender, bank, litigation, onboarding or compliance.
- Preferred output: CR12, certified copy, company status check, director/shareholder verification or full due diligence report.
Cost and timeline for company records search in Kenya
The current official BRS fee for an Official Search for companies is KES 650. This is the government fee for the company official search / CR12 and may change depending on the BRS fee schedule or the portal invoice at the time of application.
| Service | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Search / CR12 for a company | KES 650 official BRS fee | Portal invoice is final. Applies to a standard company official search. |
| Certified copies of company records | Quoted after review | Depends on the exact document required and registry availability. |
| Company verification or due diligence report | Quoted based on scope | Useful where you need more than a basic CR12, such as background checks, charges, filings or transaction risk review. |
How long does it take to get company records in Kenya?
For a verified company record, the BRS fee schedule indicates that an Official Search for companies may be generated instantly. For non-verified company records, the indicated processing time is about 3 to 5 days. Older, manual, incomplete or historical company files may take longer.
Timeline guide
- Verified company records: often instant after payment.
- Non-verified company records: approximately 3 to 5 days.
- Certified copies or older records: timeline depends on registry availability and the document required.
- Enhanced due diligence: timeline depends on the scope of checks requested.
What does a CR12 show?
A CR12 or official company search commonly shows the company name, registration number, registration date, registered office, nominal share capital, directors, shareholders and division of shares. It is commonly requested by banks, procurement teams, investors, lawyers, lenders, regulators and parties conducting business checks.
Important limitations
A CR12 reflects the information currently available from the official company register. If a company has pending changes, unfiled updates, historical manual records or unresolved registry issues, the output may require further verification. A standard CR12 should also not be treated as a full background investigation into beneficial ownership, litigation, tax compliance, bank accounts, assets or trading history.
FAQs: Company records search in Kenya
How do I get a copy of company records in Kenya?
You request an official company search, commonly called a CR12, through the eCitizen Business Registration Service platform. Biz Brokers Kenya can assist with the request, review the output and advise whether additional verification is required.
What is a CR12 in Kenya?
A CR12 is the common term used for an official company search or status report showing the current registered particulars of a Kenyan company, including directors and shareholders.
Is a CR12 the same as an official search?
Yes, in practical use, CR12 and official company search are often used to refer to the same company record output showing current company particulars from the Companies Registry.
How much does a company official search cost in Kenya?
The current official BRS fee for an Official Search for companies is KES 650. If you need professional assistance, certified copies or due diligence review, the service fee is quoted depending on the scope.
How long does a company search take in Kenya?
Verified company searches may be instant. Non-verified company searches may take about 3 to 5 days. Older or manual records may take longer.
Can I get company director and shareholder information in Kenya?
Yes. A CR12 or official company search can confirm the current directors, shareholders and shareholding structure reflected in the Companies Registry records.
Can I search a Kenyan company by name only?
Yes. A company name can be used for the search. However, the registration number is better where there are similar company names or where exact identification is important.
Does a CR12 show beneficial owners?
A standard CR12 mainly shows registered company particulars, including directors and shareholders. Beneficial ownership information is handled separately and may not be publicly disclosed in the same way as ordinary shareholder information.
Can foreigners request company records in Kenya?
Yes. Foreign investors, lawyers, companies and individuals can request assistance with a company search or corporate due diligence in Kenya, provided the correct company details are available.
What if the company records are outdated or inconsistent?
If the official search appears outdated or inconsistent, further review may be required. This may include checking pending filings, annual returns, changes of directors, share transfers, charges or certified records at the Companies Registry.
Request company records search assistance
Email the company name or registration number to info@bizbrokerskenya.com and confirm whether you need a basic CR12, certified company documents, directors and shareholders information or a fuller due diligence report.
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Need company information?
Send the company name or registration number and the type of record you need: CR12, director and shareholder information, certified copy or due diligence report.