A bank asks for a CR12, a tender committee asks for a CR13, and neither explains the difference. Knowing what each document is saves days of back-and-forth at the companies registry.
What is a CR12?
The CR12 is the official search issued by the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act 2015 framework. It sets out the company’s current directors and shareholders, the shares each holds, and related particulars as they appear on the register. Banks, the Kenya Revenue Authority, tender committees and counterparties in due diligence routinely ask for a recent CR12, and many insist on one issued within the last few months, because the document only reflects the position at the date of the search. Searches are applied for through the Business Registration Service (brs.go.ke), generally via eCitizen (ecitizen.go.ke).
What is a CR13, and when is it needed?
The CR13 is a different instrument: under the Companies Act 2015 it is the notice filed with the registrar when a company secretary ceases office. It matters in transactions and bank onboarding because it keeps the registry record current, a stale record showing a secretary who left long ago is a common diligence finding. Businesses should also be aware that some BRS system-generated registration certificates for business names and LLPs are labelled CR13, so it is worth confirming with the requesting party which document is actually wanted before filing anything. Most requests fail on currency rather than substance, a document older than the requester’s cutoff is treated as stale, however accurate it once was.
How do you keep these documents in order?
- File change notices promptly when directors, secretaries or shareholdings change.
- Order fresh searches rather than relying on copies held from years past.
- Check the CR12 against your own records before submitting it to a bank.
Discrepancies between the register and reality are far easier to prevent than to explain later. Our governance advisory practice keeps company records registry-compliant, and our banking and securities practice assists with the documentation banks and financiers expect.
For guidance on your specific situation, contact CS Advocates LLP, call, WhatsApp, or book a confidential consultation at our Westlands, Nairobi office.