Ghana: ORC company search, fees and beneficial ownership register
- Registry
- Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) 1
- Beneficial owner threshold
- 10 percent, or 5 percent in high-risk sectors 1
How to search the register
The ORC FAQ describes two levels of search 1. The first needs no account and gives an online name search. The ORC says this is not a full search of all its database 1. The second level is for registered users of the online services 1.
Documents the system generates are e-certificates kept in the user's account for 14 days. They cannot be printed. To generate them after 14 days, the user pays for a further 14 days 1.
The ORC forms page says annual returns are filed online and the outstanding payment is shown through the *222# short code 4.
Search and copy fees
The ORC fees page and its published schedule of newly approved fees and charges for 2026 give these amounts. Neither shows an effective date 2,3.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search in companies register, matters excluding charges and insolvency 2 | GH₵30.00 2,3 |
| Search in companies register, matters of charges and insolvency 2 | GH₵150.00 2,3 |
| Search in business name or partnership register 2 | GH₵30.00 2,3 |
| Certified true copy, companies limited by shares or by guarantee 2 | GH₵30.00 2,3 |
| Certified true copy, external company 2 | Cedi equivalent of US$30 2,3 |
| Filing of annual returns 2 | GH₵175.00 2,3 |
| Notification of change of directors or secretary, Form 17 or 17A 3 | GH₵100.00 3 |
| Penalty for non-filing of beneficial ownership 2 | GH₵500.00 2,3 |
Bulk searches
The ORC sells bulk searches priced by volume 2. For the companies register, excluding charges and insolvency, a search costs GH₵20.00 each for 100 to 1,000 searches and falls to GH₵7.00 each above 100,001 searches 2.
Beneficial ownership register
Companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee, unlimited companies and external companies must file beneficial owner details. Sole proprietors and partnerships are excluded 1. The details are kept on a central register 1.
- The general threshold is a direct or indirect interest of 10 percent or more 1.
- The threshold is 5 percent in high-risk sectors 1.
- A foreign politically exposed person with 5 percent or more in any company must be registered 1.
- A domestic politically exposed person with any shares or any form of control must be registered 1.
- Changes are filed within 30 days 1.
- From 31 March 2021 all annual returns must include beneficial ownership data 1.
- Deliberate failure to give information, or giving false information, can bring a fine of up to GH₵6,000, two years in prison, or both 1.
What the public can see
The ORC FAQ says the public can see a beneficial owner's name and former names, month and year of birth, place of birth, percentage of ownership and a politically exposed person declaration 1. Listed companies disclose stock exchange details 1.
Common questions
How much is a company search in Ghana?
The ORC 2026 schedule lists GH₵30.00 for a search in the companies register, and GH₵150.00 for charges and insolvency matters 2,3.
Is Ghana's beneficial ownership register public?
Part of it. The ORC says the public can see name, month and year of birth, place of birth, ownership percentage and a politically exposed person declaration 1.
What is the beneficial ownership threshold in Ghana?
10 percent in general, 5 percent in high-risk sectors and for foreign politically exposed persons, and any interest for domestic politically exposed persons 1.
Can I search the ORC register without an account?
Yes, for a basic online name search. The ORC says it does not cover the whole database 1.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- Office of the Registrar of Companies: FAQ (no date shown, read 20 October 2026)
- Office of the Registrar of Companies: Fees (2026)
- Office of the Registrar of Companies: Publication of newly approved fees and charges (July 2026 upload)
- Office of the Registrar of Companies: Forms (no date shown)
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