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Step-by-Step Guide: Changing Your Registered Office Address – Form 13

When managing your company, there might come a time when you need to update its business address. This could be due to a couple of reasons:

  1. Initially, you registered your business using your home address. Now that your business has grown, you may be considering a move to a larger, different location.
  2. Your current office is relocating to a new address.

But how exactly can you make this change? The key factor in both situations is filling out and submitting ‘Form 13’ to update your business address.

Fortunately, this process is quite simple and direct, especially with a bit of guidance. If you’re interested in altering your business address, this blog post will walk you through the entire step-by-step procedure.

Introduction – Changing your company’s address is a flexible process that can be done at any point after your initial registration. The procedure involves submitting Form 13 and a Company Resolution to the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The ROC will process your documents within approximately five working days.

Submission to the ROC – To initiate the change of address, you must submit the following to the Registrar’s office:

  • Company Resolution
  • Form 13

Ensure that all information is typed in the forms, as handwritten documents are no longer accepted by the ROC in Sri Lanka.

Changing Your Business Address: Company Resolution – Important decisions in a registered company must receive approval from the Board of Directors. These decisions are typically made during Annual General Meetings (AGM) or Board Meetings. If you intend to change your business address, it’s necessary to obtain approval from your director board. Once approved, you need to create a ‘Company Resolution’ documenting the address change, signifying the directors’ mutual agreement.

Present the signed resolution to the Registrar of Companies, indicating that your company’s Board of Directors has sanctioned the address change.

Filing Form 13 – While the Company Resolution sets the stage, ‘Form 13’ is the central element in changing your business address. This form is of utmost importance during the process. It’s a straightforward form to complete.

If you’re currently in search of the form, you can conveniently download it here.

Changing your business address involves these key steps:

  1. Submission: Provide the necessary documents to the Registrar’s office, including the Company Resolution and Form 13.
  2. Board Approval: Get your director board’s approval for the address change and document it through a ‘Company Resolution’.
  3. Registrar Submission: Present the signed resolution to the Registrar of Companies.
  4. Form 13: Complete and submit Form 13, the essential document for changing your business address.

Remember, this process is hassle-free and achievable with the right approach.

Filing Form 13: Step 01 – Essential Information When filling out Form 13, there are four key details that every company owner needs to provide:

  • Number of the company
  • Company name
  • Address of the new registered office
  • Date of change for the new registered office

Here’s an important note for this section: The date when ‘The change in the registered office of the Company takes effect on’ should be at least five days after the company resolution is passed.

Filing Form 13: Step 02 – Legal Signatures After completing the basic information, either a Director or the Company Secretary needs to authorize the form with their signature. Additionally, include your company’s contact details at the end of the form. Typically, the Company Secretary presents this form to the ROC, so remember to provide their details.

After Submitting Form 13 Upon submitting your Company Resolution + Form 13 to the ROC, you’ll receive a certified copy of Form 13. Beyond this step, it’s crucial to inform other relevant authorities about the address change, including the Inland Revenue Department, the Labour Department, and any banks your company interacts with.

The Significance of Your Business Address According to the Companies Act, all Sri Lankan businesses must possess a registered office in the country. This address is essential for receiving notices, business communications, bank statements, bills, legal, and secretarial documents.

Your business address, the one you provide during company registration, appears on all official documents and can impact your clients’ perceptions if you have a physical presence. It’s worth choosing wisely.

Key Considerations for Selecting a Company Address Every business has unique needs when selecting a physical location. However, there are universal factors to consider:

  1. Competition: Assess whether having similar businesses nearby benefits or hinders your growth.
  2. Access to Services: Ensure easy access for both customers and employees.
  3. Legal Considerations: Be aware of local regulations and potential advantages like free trade zones.
  4. Costs: Factor in utility and operational expenses before committing.

Conduct background checks on potential locations and thoroughly review agreements to make informed decisions.

Update Your Company Address with Acmi Group As an experienced Company Secretary, Acmi Group specializes in managing company address changes and other secretarial services for over 20 years.

Some of our secretarial services include:

  • Changing your registered company address
  • Handling communication with the ROC
  • Managing the submission of necessary documents

If you prefer a hassle-free approach, our expert team can guide you through the process and handle company changes on your behalf.

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