Corporate Registration Decoded: Essential Document Checklist in Five Minutes

Id is not omnipotent, but without it, absolutely nothing can be done—this saying is pure gospel when it comes to business registration. Whether you're a startup newbie or a seasoned entrepreneur, the first hurdle in establishing a company in Taiwan is passing the big test of submitting your identity documents. Local directors and shareholders must provide photocopies of both sides of their National ID card, while foreigners need copies of their passport or residence permit—all documents must be clear, legible, and valid within their expiration dates.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce has eagle eyes: any expired, blurry document, or even a photo where an overly bright smile distorts facial features will be rejected! And don’t even think about forgetting to sign and stamp the photocopy—that’s like showing up to a meeting with no pants; the security guard at the door will stop you instantly. Foreign shareholders also need to submit certified power of attorney documents, otherwise the system will flag you as “unidentified” and deny entry outright.

Remember, identity verification is the foundation of every process. If you fail this step, no matter how brilliant your business plan is, it's just castles in the air. Only with complete preparation can you gracefully take your first step into entrepreneurship.

You can't name your company whatever you want—don’t assume you can casually register something like "Universe's Strongest Co., Ltd." and expect it to fly. In Taiwan, company naming is governed strictly by the Company Act and the so-called “naming constitution” enforced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. First off, your chosen name cannot duplicate another—it doesn’t even have to be identical. Names like “Super Great Technology Co., Ltd.” and “Super-Duper Great Technology Co., Ltd.” might still get rejected because the government wants to prevent consumer confusion, not because they’re suppressing your creativity.

Also, restricted terms such as “International,” “China,” or “Headquarters” are off-limits unless you meet specific qualifications—try using them anyway, and the system will crash on you. You can apply through the Ministry’s online "Company Name and Business Scope Pre-Check System," which grants a 6-month validity period upon approval. Be sure to complete registration within that window, or you’ll have to restart from scratch. When choosing a name, balance brand identity with compliance—for example, a name like “Apple Inc. Taiwan Branch” would never pass, since foreign branches must follow special laws and can’t pretend to be local entities.

So instead of racking your brain for flashy names, start by checking the pre-screening system and avoiding red zones. Picking a name that’s memorable and rejection-proof is the real survival strategy for your first entrepreneurial move.

Just when you finally nail down your company name, don’t celebrate yet—you’re now facing an even more challenging stage: drafting the Articles of Incorporation. This isn’t just some formality to sign before stamping; it’s your company’s “startup constitution.” When shareholders fight or board members clash later on, this document is what everyone will refer back to.

Think of the Articles of Incorporation as a “corporate prenuptial agreement”: not romantic at all, but if things go south (or business philosophies diverge), having everything in black and white could save your skin. According to the Company Act, these articles must include essential clauses such as company name, business scope, total capital, shareholder contributions, list of directors and supervisors, and profit distribution methods.

Many overlook restrictions on share transfers, only to find out later that a shareholder sold shares to an outsider behind everyone’s back—with no legal recourse. Others fail to clearly define voting rights, leading to endless deadlocks during meetings. These pitfalls? Fill them now, or cry later. Make sure every item complies with the law and is tailored to your needs. After all, this isn’t a form you fill out and toss aside—it’s the supreme guiding principle for how your company operates.

Don’t falsify your business address—tax notices will come knocking! Providing an address during registration may seem trivial, but don’t try sneaking in something like “the 7-Eleven downstairs from my place.” Legally, the registered address must be genuine and capable of receiving official government correspondence. If caught using a fake address, you might face requests for additional documentation at best—or have your registration revoked and end up on a watchlist at worst, meaning every future application gets extra scrutiny.

People often ask: “Can I use my home address?” The answer: it depends on location. Some counties allow residential addresses for commercial use, provided they comply with local regulations; others require neighborhood consent forms or prohibit visible signage. Also keep in mind: this address links directly to your tax registration. The tax authority won’t ring your doorbell before sending overdue notices.

Using a co-working space or mail-forwarding service? That’s fine, but make sure you obtain a legally valid proof of address usage, or it’s as good as having nowhere. One lighthearted reminder: yes, you can use your mom’s house as the address—but she’s not obligated to answer calls meant for the CEO, especially when someone asks, “Is your CEO available?” and she replies mid-stir-fry: “My son’s taking a shower!”

You’ve finally reached the last stretch! Without complete documents, clicking “submit” over and over is pointless. To successfully press that crucial button, gather your “entrepreneurship entry ticket”: Application for Company Registration, detailed Articles of Incorporation outlining governance rules, consent forms signed by all shareholders, letters of acceptance personally signed by directors, plus address proofs and ID photocopies—remember, while using Mom’s house as an address is allowed, documents can’t just be casually photocopied and submitted.

Prefer online filing or in-person submission? Both options work, but we strongly recommend using the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ “One-Stop Service Platform for Company Establishment”—it saves three trips and earns you two extra nights of sleep. Registration fees are around NT$1,000, plus minor taxes like stamp duty. Review typically takes 7 to 10 working days. Most common reasons for correction requests? Missing signatures, unbound documents, or—in one actual case—someone inserting a photo of their cat (yes, really).

When you finally see the “Approval of Establishment” notice, congratulations—your entrepreneurial journey officially begins!

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