Every Bermuda formation follows broadly the same sequence, though the documents differ by entity type.
1. Engage a licensed service provider
Formation is effected through a Bermuda law firm, accounting firm or corporate service provider. Corporate service provider business may only be carried on under a license granted under the Corporate Service Provider Business Act 2012, and licensees are supervised by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
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2. Reserve your name
A name may be reserved not more than three months before you apply, for a period not exceeding three months.
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3. Check whether your activity is restricted
Some activities need the Minister's consent. Others may not be carried on at all. Check before you prepare your documents, because consent is applied for as part of the filing.
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4. Prepare your constitutional documents
| Company | Memorandum of association, and bye-laws |
| Limited liability company | Certificate of formation, and an LLC agreement |
| Exempted partnership | Certificate of exempted partnership, and a partnership agreement |
| Exempted limited partnership | Certificate of limited partnership, and a partnership agreement |
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Preparing a memorandum of association →
Preparing a certificate of formation →
Preparing a partnership certificate →
5. Disclose your beneficial owners
Your application discloses the beneficial owners of the entity, and the relevant legal entities through which they hold their interests, with personal declarations where required.
This is filed with us, not with the Bermuda Monetary Authority
The disclosure and verification of proposed beneficial owners on formation moved from the Authority to the Registrar of Companies on 3 November 2025. There is no separate prior approval step: the application, the constitutional documents and the beneficial ownership information are filed together, and we verify and register at that point.
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6. File with us and pay
Filings are made through the online register, and the prescribed fees are paid at the same time. Advertise first if the company is to be local, and apply for any license or permit the nature of your business requires.
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Registration fees and how to pay →
7. Receive your certificate
| Company | Certificate of incorporation, with a facsimile of the memorandum attached |
| Company continued into Bermuda | Certificate of deposit of the memorandum of continuance, and a certificate of continuance |
| Limited liability company | Certificate of filing of the certificate of formation |
| Exempted partnership | Certificate of registration, with a facsimile of the certificate attached |
| Limited partnership | Certificate of registration. It states legal personality on its face if you elected |
No defect in the formalities leading up to registration affects its validity, and the certificate is conclusive evidence of due registration and of the date.
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