Register a Charity In Bermuda By Yourself
- In order to register a charity it is necessary to download an application form on the Government of Bermuda Website: Website Download it using the following link: Form
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How to Register a Charity In Bermuda - Complete the form in a timely manner and then submit it to the Registry General. Registry General along with the following documents:
- A copy of the charity’s constitution, which has to include an exclusion clause that states that if the organization is closed and its assets are transfered to a different registered charity with similar goals and objectives
- A duplicate of the charity’s bank mandate, which will stipulate that financial transactions must be approved by two trustees who are independent
- A signed Charities Trustee Declaration Form.pdf to each trustee
- The Registry will examine the application and will approve it if it is in line with the necessary standards.
- After approval, the information included to the applicant form are recorded into the Register of Charities and a certificate of registration will be issued to you.
Renewal of the status of a charity (re-registrations):
- Charities that need to keep their charity status must to complete an Application to be registered as a charity to the Registrar
- Annual reporting requirements for all charities. All charities are required to submit the following requirements to the Registrar General by 6 months after their financial year’s close:
- A complete Annual Report has been submitted for Charities [3Completed Annual Report for Charities [3
- Annual financial statements are signed by the Treasurer as well as one other official of the charity.
- Charities also have to pay the appropriate annual fee to the Registrar General.
Required Documents For Register a Charity
Registration:
- The completed application to register as a Charitable Organization
- An official copy of the organization’s constitution that must include an exclusion clause that states that if the organization is liquidated and its assets are transfered to a registered charity with similar objectives and goals.
- The charity’s bank’s mandate which requires that any financial transactions must be approved by two trustees that are independent.
- A completed Charity Trustee Declaration Form for each trustee.
Annual reporting requirements for all charities. All charities are required to submit the following requirements to the Registrar General by 6 months from their financial year’s close:
- The Annual Report is complete for Charities
- Annual financial statements that are signed by the Treasurer as well as one other person from the charity. The types of financial statements that are required to be completed and submitted by charities are the following:
- Charities that have an annual revenue of less than $35,000 must provide annual financial reports that consist with an income statement as well as the balance sheet.
- Charities with annual revenues between $35,001 to $450,000 need to present annual, unaudited management accounting comprising an income report, a balance sheet and cash flow statements as well as the notes for explanations.
- Charities that have an annual revenue of more than $450,001 must provide annual financial statements that have been audited comprised of an income report, a balance sheet cash flow statement, and the notes for explanations.
- Charities that have assets in excess one million (before liabilities) regardless of revenue they must present annual financial statements that have been audited. They consist of an income statement, a balance sheet as well as a cash flow statement. explanation notes
Office Locations and Contacts
The General Registrar:
Government Administration Building, 1st Floor
30 Parliament Street
Hamilton HM 12
Email: charityinfo@gov.bm
Phone: 297-7841or (441) 297-7739
Eligibility
Set eligibility criteria for going through this process.
Fees
Registered charities must be able to pay a yearly fee for the office of the Registrar General that is calculated on their gross annual earnings:
- when the annual earnings from the organization exceeds less than $35,000 when the annual income of the charity is less than $110
- when the annual revenue of the charity is greater than $35,000, but is not more than $450,000 which is $275
- in which the annual earnings of the charity is greater than the amount of $450,000: when the annual income of the charity exceeds $450,000:
The following fees are also applicable:
- for examining to inspect the Register of Charities, or other records maintained by the Registrar for the inspection of the Register of Charities or other material kept by the Registrar:
- to obtain a copy of an excerpt of the Register of Charities, or other information maintained by the Registrar $5 per sheet
Validity
- The charity certificate is subject to renewal. Please contact the appropriate authority through their contact numbers
Documents to Utilize
- Application to register as a charity: Application
- The Charity Trustee Declaration Form Form
- Annual Report Form: Form
Processing Time
Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.
Instructions
All charities are required to submit the following information to the Registrar General in no less than six months from the end of their financial year:
- The annual report is completed for Charities
- Annual financial statements that are signed by the Treasurer and a second official of the charity. The kind of financial statements required for preparation depend on the annual income of the charity and assets.
- The applicable annual fee.
The document is needed
- This document proves that a charitable organization is legally registered
External Links
- Government of Bermuda: Government of Bermuda