Business Legal Structure & Name

The decision regarding the business structure is a decision that a person should make, in consultation with an attorney and accountant, and taking into consideration issues regarding, tax, liability, management, continuity, transferability of ownership interest, and formality of operation. The most common forms are the Sole Proprietorship, Corporation, or Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Procedures to registering a business name

• The applicant/representative completes an application form and submits the application to the Belize Companies registry in Belmopan City. The prescribed forms are 1, 2, or 3. You will need identification of all owners: Social Security card, Voters ID, Belize Passport. All owners need to sign the form. (See descriptions of forms below).
• A form will be given to you where you will write your business name and phone number, then a name search will be conducted by the Registry of Companies to see if the name is unique or if it is not similar to any existing business, and to ensure compliance with the rules set out in the legislation. It takes approximately half an hour for the name search.
• If the business name is available, a certificate of Business Name Registration is issued.
  Fee: $25
  According to section 12(1) of the Act, any other document (s) that the Registrar (or authorized person) may think necessary to ascertain whether or not such person or the firm of which he is a partner should be registered under this Act. Foreigners will need to apply with a Belizean partner or someone with a permanent residence to be able to register a business name.

Forms:

• Forms 1:Application for Registration by an individual (sole proprietor)
• Forms 2:Application for Registration by a Firm (A firm means an unincorporated body of two or more individuals or one or more individuals and one or more corporations or two or more corporations who have entered into a partnership with one another with a view to carrying on business for profit) (partnership). A firm cannot have more than 7 members.
• Forms 3:Application for registration by a corporation.
  • Chek list
    https://www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz/images/Checklist/checklists-businessname.pdf
  • Forms can be obtained at the Belize Companies Registry office or at their website
    https://www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz/

REGISTERING A COMPANY WITH OR WITHOUT LIABILITY

https://www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz/images/Checklist/checklists-liability.pdf

OVERSEAS REGISTRATION

https://www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz/images/Checklist/checklists-overseas.pdf

LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP REGISTRATION

https://www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz/images/Checklist/checklists-liabilitypartnership.pdf