Key Takeaways
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ROC (Registrar of Companies) is Singapore's official business registry managed by ACRA
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Every company must register with ROC and maintain ongoing compliance
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ROC assigns your company's unique identification number (UEN/ROC number)
Quick Answer: The Registrar of Companies (ROC) is Singapore's central business registry that oversees company incorporation, maintains corporate records, and ensures regulatory compliance for all registered entities.
What is the Registrar of Companies (ROC) in Singapore?
If you're doing business in Singapore, you'll interact with the Registrar of Companies more often than you might think. It's not just about registering your company once and forgetting about it, ROC is involved throughout your entire business lifecycle.
ROC's Role in Singapore's Business Landscape
The Registrar of Companies is the official registry where every legitimate business entity must be registered, whether you're a Pte Ltd company, an LLP, or a sole proprietorship.
Since 2004, ROC has been operating under ACRA (the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority). ACRA is the parent organisation, while ROC is the specific division handling all company registrations and filings.
ROC regulates corporate compliance, investigates misconduct, and maintains transparency in Singapore's business environment. When a company fails to file annual returns or directors breach their duties, ROC has the power to take action.
What ROC Actually Does
ROC handles 3 main functions that affect every business owner:
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Company Registration: Processes all new business registrations and assigns your company's official ROC number (also called UEN)
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Record Maintenance: Maintains ongoing records of your company’s structure, including directors, shareholders, the registered address, and any changes to these details.
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Compliance Enforcement: Monitors annual filings and takes action against companies that don't follow the rules
Did you know? ACRA's ROC division manages over 600,000 active business entities as of 2025, processing everything from new registrations to company liquidations.
Understanding Your ROC Number (UEN)
When you register with ROC, one of the first things you'll receive is your ROC number. It's worth understanding what this number is and why you'll be using it constantly.
What is a ROC Number in Singapore?
Your ROC number is officially called the Unique Entity Number (UEN), though many people still use the old term "ROC number." It's a 9 or 10-digit alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies your business entity in Singapore.
Did you know? The format of your number actually tells a story about your company's age. If your company was incorporated before 2009, your UEN is likely your original ROC number (e.g., 123456789N). For companies incorporated after 2009, the UEN follows a modern format that usually starts with the year of incorporation (e.g., 202512345W).
Think of it as your company's NRIC. Every business entity gets one, and it stays with your company for life. Banks need it to open your corporate account. IRAS needs it for tax filing. Suppliers request it for credit applications. It's on every official document, contract, and invoice your company produces.
How to Check ROC Number Singapore
ROC maintains public records that anyone can access. This transparency is one of Singapore’s business-friendly features, as it makes due diligence straightforward and helps prevent fraud.
Free ROC Search via BizFile+
The easiest way to check any company's ROC number is through ACRA's BizFile+ portal.
Basic searches are free and don't require a Singpass login. Simply enter the company name to find its UEN, status, and registration date.
Finding Your Own ROC Number
Your ROC number appears on every official document from ACRA. Check your Certificate of Incorporation. It's right at the top. Your Business Profile (downloadable from BizFile+) shows it prominently. Any correspondence from ACRA will include it.
You should also be displaying your ROC number on your company letterhead, invoices, and website footer. It's not just good practice; it shows customers and partners that you're a legitimate, properly registered business.
Key ROC Services for Business Owners
ROC isn't just about registration. Throughout your company's life, you'll use various ROC services to stay compliant and manage corporate changes.
Company Registration and Incorporation
This is where most business owners first encounter ROC. When you incorporate a new company, you're applying to register your business entity with ROC.
The process is surprisingly fast. Submit your application through BizFile+ (or through a corporate service provider like us who files on your behalf), and straightforward applications get approved in 15 minutes to 1 day. ROC verifies your proposed company name isn't identical to existing ones, checks that your business activities are acceptable, and assigns your ROC number upon approval.
Registration fees are S$15 for name approval and S$300 for incorporation, making a total of S$315 for a standard Pte Ltd company.
Annual Filing Requirements
Here's what catches many new business owners off guard: registration isn't a one-time thing. ROC requires annual compliance filings from every company.
| Filing Type | Deadline | Who Must File | Late Filing Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Return (AR) | Within 7 months of FYE | All companies | $300 (<3 mo) / $600 (>3 mo) |
| Financial Statements | With Annual Return | Most companies | Possible Prosecution |
| AGM | Within 6 months of FYE | All companies* | $300 (<3 mo) / $600 (>3 mo) |
| ECI (Tax) | Within 3 months of FYE | Revenue >$5M | Loss of instalment payment eligibility |
*Exemptions apply for private companies that meet specific criteria.
For complex bookkeeping, many firms outsource their accounting to ensure their financial statements are ready well before these ROC deadlines.
ROC Compliance and Enforcement
If you miss a deadline, ROC will send a warning. If ignored, you will face composition fines. For companies, this is now a fixed 2-tier penalty of S$300 (up to 3 months late) or S$600 (beyond 3 months). Continued non-compliance can lead to director disqualification or the company being "struck off.
Updating Company Information
Changed directors? Moved your registered office? Issued new shares? All of these require ROC notification, usually within 14 days of the change.
Common updates filed with ROC include:
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Appointing or removing directors and company secretaries
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Changing your registered office address
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Updating shareholder information and share transfers
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Altering share capital (issuing new shares, share buybacks)
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Amending your company constitution
Most of these can be done through BizFile+, though you'll need your SingPass and sometimes supporting documents.
ROC Compliance and Enforcement
ROC actively monitors compliance and has real enforcement powers.
What Happens When Companies Don't Comply
If you miss filing deadlines, ROC sends warning notices first. Ignore those and you might face composition fines (essentially, pay a fine to avoid prosecution). Continue to ignore compliance, and ROC can prosecute directors in court, leading to criminal records and higher fines.
The most serious consequence? ROC can strike your company from the register. Once struck off, your company ceases to exist legally. Your ROC number becomes inactive. You can't conduct business, and it's a nightmare to restore the company later.
Director Disqualification
ROC maintains records of disqualified directors, who are individuals who are prohibited from serving as company directors due to misconduct. This includes directors who repeatedly failed to file returns, were involved in fraudulent activity, or breached their duties under the Companies Act.
Being disqualified prevents you from serving as a director in any Singapore company. Before appointing someone as a director, ROC checks they're not disqualified.
How ROC Protects Business Transparency
One of ROC's most important roles is maintaining Singapore's reputation for transparent, trustworthy business practices.
Public Records and Business Verification
ROC's public search function is a deliberate policy choice. Anyone can verify whether a company is legitimate, check who the directors are, and see when it was incorporated. This helps prevent fraud and makes due diligence straightforward.
When a potential client asks for your ROC number before signing a contract, they're doing smart business. They can verify you're a real company, check your registration is current, and see who's running the business.
Regulatory Oversight
ROC works with other government agencies to maintain business integrity. They share information with IRAS for tax enforcement, coordinate with MOM on employment pass applications, and support CAD (Commercial Affairs Department) investigations into corporate fraud.
This interconnected oversight means your ROC records need to be accurate and current. Discrepancies can trigger questions from multiple agencies.
Need Help with ROC Compliance?
Managing ROC filings, annual returns, and corporate updates can get complicated when you're focused on running your business. At Swiftly, we handle the entire incorporation process and ongoing compliance, from obtaining your ROC number in as fast as one day to managing annual filings, director changes, and regulatory updates. Our corporate secretarial, accounting, and registered office services keep you compliant while you focus on growth. Ready to simplify your ROC compliance? Get in touch with our team and we'll take care of the paperwork.
FAQs About ROC Singapore
What is the difference between ROC and ACRA?
ROC (Registrar of Companies) is the specific division within ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) that handles company registrations and corporate compliance. ACRA is the broader regulatory body that also oversees accounting professionals and public accountants. When you register a company or file annual returns, you're dealing with ROC through ACRA's systems.
Is ROC number the same as company registration number?
Yes, your ROC number is your company registration number. Officially, it's called the UEN (Unique Entity Number), but many people still call it the ROC number from the old system. It's the unique identifier assigned to your company when you register with ROC.
How do I contact ROC Singapore?
ROC operates through ACRA's BizFile+ portal for most services. For inquiries, you can call ACRA's hotline at 6248-6028 or visit their office at Revenue House. Most filings and searches are done entirely online through BizFile+.
Can I change my ROC number?
No, your ROC number (UEN) is permanent and cannot be changed. It's assigned when your company is incorporated and stays with your company throughout its existence. Even if you change your company name, address, or directors, your ROC number remains the same.
