Register a Charitable Organisation (Charity) With The DCFS In Jamaica By Yourself
- You must submit your entire application to the DCFS in order to register a charity organization. You can view the contact information for DCFS via this link: Link
- You can also obtain the registration application and the Fit and Proper questionnaire form from the DCFS office in person. Or, you can download the forms via this link (Charity-application form (Charity Formula 1) and Charity-fit and proper questionnaire (Charity Formula 2)). The links below allow you to download the forms.
- Comply both forms according to instructions and get all required supporting documents (page 3 of the registration form).
- Pay the registration fee at the DCFS account and get the payment receipt.
- Submit the completed application, along with the payment receipt, to the DCFS official at DCFS’s service desk
- After verifying your application, the official will issue an acknowledgment receipt with details about your application. The acknowledgement receipt will be forwarded to the appropriate department for processing
- Your application will be evaluated by the DCFS and the relevant department to see if it meets the requirements for registration
- If your application meets all requirements, the DCFS will accept it and prepare registration documents for you charitable organization.
- Register your charity organization at the DCFS Office.
Required Documents For Register a Charitable Organization
- Complete forms
- Tax Registration Number (TRN).
- Certificate of Registration/Certificate of Incorporation
- Questionnaire on Fit and Proper
- All Directors and the Secretary must submit a certified passport-size photograph
- Financial statements from prior years, audited and unaudited
- Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association (entities registered with COJ prior to 2005); Form 1B – Articles of Incorporation that include Schedule 1; Rules; Vested Act and any other applicable Constitution
Please refer the checklist page 3 of the application
Find Office Locations and Contacts
Department of Co-operatives and Friendly SocietiesAddress at 2 Musgrave Avenue Kingston 10, Jamaica
Telephone: (1867) 927-4912/927-6522, 978-1946
Email: info@dcfs.gov.jm
Website: Contact Link
Details: Link
Eligibility
To be eligible for this status, your organization must meet the following requirements:
- It is not included in the Excluded Body List (Interpretation Clause and Charities Act).
- It was established solely for charitable purposes (First Schedule, Charities Act).
- It was created to serve the public good (Section 4, Charities Law).
- It does not have any part of its net income, assets or other resources that could be used for the benefit of any settlor or governing broad member of the organization or private individual. Your Constitution must contain a clause stating this explicitly.
Fees
- Register fee: $24,000.00
Validity
- The registration certificate is valid two years. It can be renewed when it expires.
Documents for Use
Processing Time
- Within 15 working days
Instructions
- The Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies allows for renewal of the Charity Certificate up to six months from the date of expiry. A charity must submit a new application with all relevant documents after the expiry of six months. The re-application for charity status will be processed in ten working days if there are no changes to the Charity objects and constitutive documents.
Requirements Information
- Name of the entity
- Address
- Date of application
- Register number
- TRN
- Information about the applicant
- Contact details
- Type of entity
- Objectives of the entity
- Director/s details
- Information for the Secretary
- Audit details
- Declaration
You will need the document
- A charity certificate is proof that your organization has been registered as a charity organisation. This allows you to take advantage of the benefits offered by Jamaican government to charitable organisations.
Information that might be of assistance
External Links
DCFS: Link