Everything you need to know about a company certificate—an essential document for legal entities. Learn how to request it online or offline with a step-by-step guide that anyone can follow.
Running a business today requires several important documents, but one of the most crucial is the Company Certificate. This document acts as the identity card of a company, verifying its existence and legitimacy for various transactions. Today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this essential document to ensure smooth business operations.
What is a Company Certificate?
A Company Certificate is an official document issued by the Department of Business Development (DBD) to verify the legal status and identity of a company in Thailand. It serves as the company’s equivalent of a national ID card, confirming its legitimacy and credibility in business transactions.
The Certificate of Incorporation contains key information that outlines the official details of the company, including:
- Company Name
- Corporate Registration Number
- Registered Address
- Names of Authorized Directors
- Company’s Objectives (Business Purpose)
The Importance of a Company Certificate
A company certificate plays a vital role in business operations as it serves as proof of credibility and legal existence. It helps business partners, banks, and government agencies verify that they are dealing with a legally registered company.
What Can a Company Certificate Be Used For?
This essential document is required for various business transactions, including:
Dealing with Government Agencies
- Social Security Registration: Required when hiring at least one employee.
- Taxpayer Identification Registration: Needed for filing tax returns and managing tax matters.
- VAT Registration: Mandatory for companies with an annual revenue exceeding 1.8 million THB.
- Business Licenses: Required for specific industries, such as restaurants or manufacturing.
Financial Transactions
- Opening a Corporate Bank Account: Used as proof of company identity.
- Applying for Business Loans: Required for loan approval and credit evaluation.
- International Transactions: Needed for opening letters of credit (L/C), importing/exporting, or transferring funds internationally.
- Trade Credit Applications: Required when applying for supplier credit terms.
General Business Operations
- Signing Business Contracts: Confirms the authority of directors to act on behalf of the company.
- Registering as a Supplier/Vendor: Required when partnering with large corporations.
- Bidding for Contracts: Used for government and private sector tenders.
- Leasing Office or Retail Space: Required when renting commercial premises.
- Purchasing Business Insurance: Needed for property or logistics insurance coverage.
What Is a Certified Copy of the Company Affidavit?
Requesting a certified copy of the company affidavit means asking the Department of Business Development (DBD) to issue an official document that certifies the company’s status and key information. This document serves as legal proof for various business transactions—similar to requesting a certified copy of a person’s national ID, but for a company.
How to Request a Company Certificate
There are two main ways to obtain a company certificate, each with a simple process:
1. Requesting Online via e-Service
Follow these steps to complete your request:
- Visit the Department of Business Development (DBD) website
- Go to “Online Services” and select “Request Company Affidavit/Certified Copies”
- Log in to the e-Service system (or register for an account if you don't have one)
- Choose the document type: Company Affidavit
- Enter the company’s 13-digit registration number
- Review the information and the applicable fee
- Specify the payer’s name and provide requester details
- Choose your preferred delivery method:
- Electronic File (e-Certificate): Free of charge, downloadable instantly
- EMS (Express Mail): 130 THB for registered express delivery
- Courier Delivery: 300 THB for direct delivery by messenger
- Pick Up in Person: Free of charge; documents must be collected at the DBD office
- Pick Up at Bank Branch: Additional service available at participating banks (Note: extra bank service fees apply)
- Pay the service fee via one of the following channels:
- Internet Banking
- ATM
- Bank Counter
- Track the status and download the document upon completion
2. Requesting In Person at the Department of Business Development (DBD)
Although the online option is now more widely used for its speed and convenience, you can still request the affidavit in person. Here’s how:
- Prepare the authorized director’s personal identification
- Fill out the request form at the service counter
- Pay the official fee
- Receive the document, typically on the same day
Fees and Processing Time
- Service Fee: 200 THB per copy
- Additional shipping fees may apply when requesting online
- Processing Time:
- In-person requests: Document is usually available immediately
- Online requests: Typically processed within 1–3 business days
Change of Information in the Company Affidavit
A company affidavit may require updates when there are changes to key company details, such as:
- Change of company name
- Increase or decrease in registered capital
- Change of company address
- Appointment or removal of directors, or changes in their signing authority
- Amendments to company objectives
These changes must be reported to the DBD along with the applicable filing fees.
Additional Notes
- The validity period of a company affidavit depends on its intended use. For example, when submitting to a bank, a certificate issued within the past 3 months is typically required. For other general purposes, a certificate up to 6 months old may be accepted.
- Always make sure the information in the affidavit is up to date
- Keep the latest version of your affidavit on hand to facilitate smooth transactions
Conclusion
A company affidavit is an essential document every business owner should have. It acts as the official ID card of the company and is used to verify the company’s status in various transactions. Whether you choose to request it online or in person via the DBD, maintaining and updating your affidavit regularly is key to running your business smoothly and professionally.
Related Search Terms
- Dbd
- Department of Business Development
- Company Affidavit
- Request Company Affidavit
- Certified Company Documents
