What is a Corporate Service Provider (CSP)?

As set out in the Corporate Service Providers Act 2024, a CSP is a person or entity that provides any of these corporate services:

  1. Forms corporations or other legal entities for clients
  2. Acts as, or arranges for others to act as:
    • Company directors or secretaries
    • Partners in partnerships
    • Similar roles in other legal entities
  3. Provides a registered office, business address, correspondence or administrative address or other related services for a corporation, partnership or other legal person
  4. Acts as, or arranges for others to act as nominee shareholders (except for listed companies on approved exchanges under the Securities and Futures Act 2001)
  5. Provides designated accounting services
  6. Files ACRA transactions on behalf of:
    • Other persons, or
    • Companies where they serve as company secretary

Important: If your business provides any of the services listed above, you must register as a CSP with ACRA.


Requirements to Become a Registered CSP

  1. Your business must be registered with ACRA as a company, registered business, registered limited liability partnership, or registered limited partnership
  2. You must meet one of these requirements regarding Registered Qualified Individuals (RQIs):
    • Be an RQI yourself,
    • Have at least one partner who is an RQI, or
    • Employ or engage at least one RQI;
  3. Directors, partners, or persons directly or indirectly involved in the management must meet ACRA's "fit and proper" requirements
  4. At least one director or owner or partner of the CSP must complete the mandatory AML/CPF/CFT course and pass a proficiency test before initial CSP registration and at each renewal (within six months before the date of application)
  5. If your CSP registration was previously cancelled by ACRA, there is a 2-year moratorium from the end of the cancellation period before you can reapply 


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Who can be a Registered Qualified Individual (RQI)?

To register as a Registered Qualified Individual, you must:
  • Meet all requirements set out in the Corporate Service Providers Regulations 2025
  • Be a fit and proper person

If your RQI registration was previously cancelled by ACRA, there is a 2-year moratorium from the end of the cancellation period before you can reapply.

Note: You may also need to provide supporting documents in your application, as set out in the table below.

Qualified Individuals Examples of supporting documents to be provided during the application process
An advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of SingaporeA Practising Certificate issued by the Supreme Court of Singapore, or documentation confirming admission as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore.
A public accountant registered under the Accountants Act 2004Not required, as ACRA will verify the applicant's registration as a public accountant.
A member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) who either holds registration as a Chartered Accountant under Part 6B of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Act, or has maintained associate membership with ISCA for a minimum period of two yearsCertificate of membership with proof of latest membership (e.g., invoice and receipt).
A member of the Association of International Accountants (Singapore Branch)Certificate of membership with proof of latest membership (e.g., invoice and receipt).
A member of the Institute of Company Accountants, Singapore (ICAS)Certificate of membership with proof of latest membership (e.g., invoice and receipt).
An associate member or fellow of the Chartered Secretaries Institute of Singapore (CSIS)
Certificate of membership with proof of latest membership (e.g., invoice and receipt).
 A corporate secretarial agent (i.e. a person who is carrying on the business of providing corporate secretarial services for one or more companies and has been doing so for at least 3 years in the preceding 5 years; and has been a secretary of a company for at least 3 years in the preceding 5 years)

(a) If you are the owner, partner, or director of the business providing corporate secretarial services, please provide:

(i) The UEN of the business if it is an existing Registered Filing Agent (RFA); or

(ii) Evidence of the corporate secretarial services provided, with the scope of service clearly stated, for the relevant period (i.e., 3 years out of the preceding 5 years). Examples of acceptable documentation include letters of engagement or invoices.

(b) If you are not the owner, partner, or director of the business providing corporate secretarial services, please provide:

(i) One of the following:

  • The UEN of the RFA you are currently employed by; or
  • The UEN of the RFA you intend to join; or
  • Evidence of the corporate secretarial services provided, with the scope of service clearly stated, for the relevant period (i.e., 3 years out of the preceding 5 years). Examples of acceptable documentation include letters of engagement or invoices; and

(ii) A letter from the owner, partner, or director of the business:

  • Detailing your role in the business;
  • Confirming that you have carried out the business of providing corporate secretarial services for the relevant period (i.e., 3 years out of the preceding 5 years); or
  • Confirming that you were an associated employee of the RFA for the relevant period; and
(iii) Your CPF payment records for the relevant period (i.e., 3 years out of the preceding 5 years) pertaining to the business.
 

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To check the registration status of Corporate Service Providers and Registered Qualified Individuals, you may perform a search for business information in Bizfile.

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