Registration of a Society in Hong Kong
The Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151) of Hong Kong regulates the registration and operation of societies in Hong Kong. A society is defined as an association of persons for the furtherance of a common purpose or interest.
Eligibility for Registration
To be eligible for registration, a society must:
be established in Hong Kong
have at least seven members
have a written constitution that sets out its objectives, rules and procedures
have an office in Hong Kong
have three office-bearers who are permanent residents of Hong Kong
Application for Registration
An application for registration can be made online or by post. The application must be accompanied by the following documents:
A completed application form
Copies of the HKID cards or other valid identity documents of the office-bearers
A copy of the society's constitution
A document to prove the society's place of business
A consent letter from the lawful occupier of the premises, if applicable
Processing of Applications
The Societies Officer will process the application and decide whether to register the society. The Societies Officer may request further information from the society or may hold a hearing to consider the application.
Registration Certificate
If the application is successful, the Societies Officer will issue a registration certificate to the society. The registration certificate must be displayed at the society's office.
Exemption from Registration
A society may be exempt from registration if it is established solely for religious, charitable, social or recreational purposes or as a rural committee or a federation or other association of rural committees.
Duties of Registered Societies
A registered society must:
keep a register of its members
hold annual general meetings
keep proper accounting records
submit an annual report to the Societies Officer
Failure to Comply with the Societies Ordinance
A society that fails to comply with the Societies Ordinance may be fined or deregistered.
Additional information
For more information about registering a society in Hong Kong, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Police Force.
How Bestar can Help
Bestar can help you register a society in Hong Kong by providing you with the following services:
Advice on the registration process: Bestar can provide you with advice on the eligibility criteria for registration, the required documents, and the processing time.
Preparation of the application documents: Bestar can prepare the application documents for you, including the application form, the constitution, and the proof of place of business.
Liaison with the Societies Officer: Bestar can liaise with the Societies Officer on your behalf to answer any questions and provide any additional information that may be required.
Post-registration services: Bestar can provide you with post-registration services, such as advising you on your ongoing compliance obligations.
Here are some of the benefits of using Bestar to help you register a society in Hong Kong:
Expertise: Bestar has a team of experienced professionals who are experts in the registration of societies in Hong Kong.
Efficiency: Bestar can help you to register your society quickly and efficiently.
Peace of mind: Bestar can help you to avoid making mistakes that could delay or prevent the registration of your society.
If you are interested in using Bestar to help you register a society in Hong Kong, please contact us for a free consultation.
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