If you are a foreign company planning to invest, partner, or outsource in Nepal, verifying a business through the Company Registrar Office Nepal is not optional. It is essential due diligence. The Company Registrar Office Nepal maintains the official, legally binding database of all registered companies. Within minutes, you can confirm whether a company is genuine, active, and compliant with Nepali law.
This guide explains exactly how foreign companies can verify a registered entity, what the results mean, and how to avoid common risks.
The Office of the Company Registrar (OCR Nepal) is the statutory authority responsible for:
Incorporation of companies
Maintaining shareholder and director records
Recording annual filings and amendments
Publishing official company status information
Its authority comes from the Companies Act, 2006 (Nepal), which governs all corporate entities in the country.
For foreign businesses, OCR Nepal is the single source of truth for company verification.
Before signing contracts or transferring funds, verification protects you from:
Fake or shell companies
Deregistered or non-compliant entities
Misrepresented directors or shareholders
Invalid registration certificates
Appointing a Nepali distributor or agent
Outsourcing staff or services to a local firm
Entering a joint venture or FDI structure
Opening a branch or liaison office
Paying advance invoices or retainers
This is the fastest and most reliable method for foreign companies.
Visit the official OCR Nepal online portal
Select the Company Search option
Enter one of the following:
Company name (full or partial)
Registration number
Submit the search request
Review the official company profile
The database is updated directly by the registrar. Results are legally authoritative.
A successful search typically reveals:
Registered company name
Registration number
Date of incorporation
Company type (Private, Public, Foreign)
Registered office address
Current legal status
Directors and shareholders
Filing and compliance status
Active – Fully registered and legally operating
Dormant – Registered but inactive
Struck Off – Removed due to non-compliance
Under Liquidation – Winding-up process initiated
If online records are unclear, physical verification is possible.
Name discrepancies in Roman vs Nepali script
Very old companies (pre-digital records)
Court-ordered inspections
Complex shareholder disputes
You may request:
Certified extracts
Memorandum and Articles copies
Filing history reports
Foreign companies usually appoint a local legal representative to do this efficiently.
Always request copies and match them against OCR records.
Company Registration Certificate
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)
PAN or VAT registration
Board resolution (for contracts)
Any mismatch is a red flag.
| Criteria | Online Verification | Offline Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Immediate | 3–10 working days |
| Cost | Free or nominal | Official fees apply |
| Accessibility | Global | Nepal-based |
| Legal validity | High | Highest |
| Best for | Initial checks | Complex cases |
Best practice: Start online. Escalate offline only if needed.
Verification is grounded in Nepal’s corporate and investment framework:
Companies Act, 2006 – Governs registration and disclosure
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 2019 – Applies to foreign ownership
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020 – Sector classification
Income Tax Act, 2002 – Tax registration linkage
OCR records are recognized by courts, banks, and regulators.
Avoid these costly errors:
Relying only on PDF certificates
Skipping director verification
Ignoring company status labels
Assuming name similarity equals legitimacy
Not checking amendment history
A company can look legitimate but still be legally inactive.
Company verification is only one layer.
OCR company verification
Tax compliance confirmation
Labor and SSF registration
Sector-specific licensing
Foreign ownership approval (if applicable)
For foreign investors, verification should always precede any financial commitment.
Yes. Basic company information is publicly accessible online for verification purposes.
Yes. Online verification can be done from anywhere without a local presence.
Yes. OCR records are the official legal proof of company existence and status.
Typically under five minutes if the company exists in the database.
It may be unregistered, struck off, or registered under a different name.
Nepal allows 100 percent foreign ownership in many sectors. However, regulators and banks rely heavily on Company Registrar Office Nepal verification before approving:
FDI inflows
Bank account openings
Profit repatriation
Share transfers
Skipping this step can delay projects by months.
Always verify:
Before signing contracts
Before paying invoices
Before submitting FDI applications
Before hiring or outsourcing
Company verification is fast, free, and legally powerful.
For foreign companies, the Company Registrar Office Nepal is the foundation of trust. Verification protects your capital, reputation, and compliance position. It takes minutes but prevents years of legal exposure.
If you plan to invest, outsource, or partner in Nepal, verification is not optional. It is essential.
Planning to work with a Nepal-based company?
Our legal and compliance specialists can verify companies, conduct full due diligence, and guide you through Nepal market entry with confidence.
👉 Book a verification consultation today