Company legal events: incorporation and registration date 

In a number of jurisdictions the company registers provide two distinct dates related to company formation: (1) the date when the entity formation documents were signed – incorporation date* (incorporation.Date in KYC API), and (2) the date when the entity was published on the company register – registration date (registration.Date on KYC API). Both are important milestones in the company formation process, but it is important to understand the nuance between the two, such that the data can be interpreted properly.

In general, starting with the incorporation date the legal entity becomes separate from its founders, and the parties to the entity (e.g. shareholders, partners, founders, etc.) become liable among themselves. Beginning with the registration date, on the other hand, the entity becomes liable towards third parties. In many jurisdictions an entity gains full legal existence only upon the entry on the register.

The registration date by rule comes after the incorporation date, since in order to apply for registration on the register the entity must submit, among else, a legally valid incorporation/foundation document. The specific registration procedures vary across jurisdictions and depend on the legal form of the entity. However, usually there is a specifically mandated time frame in which entities should file the incorporation document to the register, e.g. 30 or 90 days upon signature.

Some registers (e.g. Sweden, Austria) provide both dates as part of the standard company dataset. In some jurisdictions only registration date is provided, and in yet a couple of others (e.g. UK, France) the register only provides incorporation date.

Here you can find guidance on how registration and incorporation date are mapped in some of the jurisdictions on KYC API.

Our team of experts are always happy to support you in interpreting the registry data for each individual jurisdiction.

* Sometimes this date is referred to as foundation date, since some entities are not technically incorporated (e.g. sole traders, trusts, partnerships).