Consider this if…
- You have been offered an existing company
- A transaction calls for a company with an earlier registration date
- The shelf company's records need to be transferred and updated
- You want to compare acquisition with registering a new company
How it works
Tell us what you need to change
We identify the company, the people involved, the intended result and any deadline or transaction driving the work.
At the first conversation
We check the existing record
We review the available company extract, constitution, registers, resolutions and agreements relevant to the proposed step.
Before documents are prepared
We prepare the legal documents
The required resolutions, notices, consents, agreements and records are prepared as one consistent set.
Timing confirmed with the scope
Signing, records and lodgement
We explain what must be signed, update the company record and deal with the required lodgement within the agreed scope.
After approval and signing
Fee
Quoted in writing before we start
GST inclusive
The scope, fee and expected timing are confirmed in writing before work begins.
Ask why an existing company is needed
New companies can generally be registered without acquiring someone else's corporate history. A shelf company should be used for a clear reason, not simply because it was once the fastest administrative option.
Check the history and handover
The current and historical records, liabilities, contracts, registrations and ownership should be examined to the extent appropriate. The transfer then needs coordinated changes to directors, shareholders, addresses, constitution and company records.
Compare the cleaner alternative
If there is no genuine need for the existing entity, registering a new company may provide a clearer starting point. We explain the document and risk difference before the decision is made.
Frequently asked questions
Why would someone use a shelf company?
A particular transaction may call for an existing entity or earlier registration date, but the reason should be tested against the additional history and transfer work.
Is a shelf company faster than a new registration?
That should not be assumed. Modern registration can be quick, while a shelf-company transfer may require extensive changes and checks.
What records should come with it?
The company file should support its history, ownership, officeholders and prior decisions. The exact due diligence depends on how the company has been used.
Related services
Tell us the company name, what needs to happen and any deadline you are working to.
Ask about this company service