Registering a sole proprietorship or partnership

Locals and foreigners with Singpass

• Only the person who reserved the business name can register the business. This person must either be an:

  • Owner of the business

  • Authorised representative if all owners are not locally resident

• You can also engage a corporate service provider (CSP) to register for you.

Foreigners without Singpass

• You must engage a CSP to register for you.

1. Approved business entity name and its related eService number

You need to successfully reserve a business name before you register a new business.

Note: You must register the same entity type that you chose when you reserved your business name.

2. Singpass or Corppass credentials

• Singpass: For individuals

• Corppass: For CSPs

3. Business details

• Proposed commencement date (When the business will start)

• Business email address

4. Business address

The main address where you will run your business.

• You cannot use a P.O. Box address.

• If you plan to run a small-scale business from your home, you can use your home address under the Home Office Scheme. Before you register, you will need to get approval from:

  • Housing & Development Board (HDB) for HDB residents

  • Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for private property residents

5. Each position holder's personal details

Owners, partners and authorised representatives are called position holders. They must meet the relevant requirements for the sole proprietorship or partnership.

• For sole proprietorships: At least one owner

• For partnerships: At least two partners (maximum 20 for general partnerships)

• If all owners or partners live overseas: One authorised representative who is ordinarily resident..

• Personal details: NRIC or FIN, full name, and date of birth

6. Owner's residential address

All owners must provide their residential address when they register.

ACRA will send all official letters to the residential address.

7. Owner's contact address, email address and mobile number

Contact addresses are displayed in ACRA's public records. It can be the same as the residential address.

You must file a contact address that meets these requirements:

• Must be in the jurisdiction as your residential address

• Must be a place where you can receive messages (like your office or CSP's office)

• Cannot be a P.O. Box address

Note: There are no fees to register a contact address.

8. Nominee or trustee details, if any

A nominee or trustee is someone who acts for the real business owner. They must be registered as an owner or partner too.

Prepare their:

• Beneficiary information

• Relationship details

9. Branch details, if any

• Branch addresses

• Start dates for each branch

Fees

The registration fee depends on your registration period:

• $100 (one year)

• $160 (three years) - Only available if the conditions set by the CPF Board are met. Please contact the CPF Board for more information.

Note: You have to renew your registration before it expires.

Payment method

Credit card, debit card, or online banking

Processing time

Most registrations are approved soon after payment. Complex registrations may take up to 15 working days.

Registrations that need extra approval from referral authorities take 14 to 60 days.