Many business owners lose their company papers or need another copy for a bank, a tender or a visa. The SECP, the company regulator in Pakistan, gives some documents free when a company is registered. Later copies are handled through its eServices portal or its Company Registration Office. Here is what the sources say, and what they do not say, about getting your incorporation documents.
The Short Answer
I did not find an official SECP page that says you can freely download your certificate of incorporation from the public website. The sources I found describe three routes:
- Copies given when the company is first registered.
- Digital certified true copies through eServices, for some documents.
- A written application for copies, or for a duplicate certificate if the original is lost.
Route 1: Copies Given at Registration
An SECP announcement dated 24 May 2016 says a set of certified copies of all incorporation documents is given free of cost when a company is registered. It says certified copies of statutory returns are also free with the acknowledgement of filing. Those changes took effect on 31 May 2016.
If you registered your company yourself, first check your email and the papers you received. The documents may already be there.
Route 2: Digital Certified True Copies Through eServices
An SECP press release of 13 April 2021 says the SECP issues digitally certified copies of a company’s statutory returns and its mortgage register. They replaced paper copies. According to the release:
- You apply online through the SECP eServices portal.
- You pay the fee online. The release does not give the amount.
- After payment is checked, the copies are sent to the company’s registered email address.
- Each document has a QR code and a link to verify it. They stay valid for 30 days, then expire.
The release names statutory returns and the mortgage register. It does not say that the certificate of incorporation or the memorandum and articles are covered. So do not assume this route gives you those documents.
About the eServices Portal
The SECP FAQ says eServices is an online portal that is open all day, every day. Companies use it to send documents to the Registrar of Companies. It lists reserving a name, incorporating a company and filing forms. To reach it, go to the SECP website, secp.gov.pk. Type the address yourself. The FAQ gives no registration steps, so follow the instructions on the site.
Memorandum and Articles
An SECP press release of 28 September 2022 says that applicants can get an auto-generated memorandum and articles of association (MEMARTS) during the online incorporation process. This means the documents are made during the application, so keep them when you register. The release does not say how to download them later.
Route 3: Apply to the Registration Office
A Business Recorder report (4 February 2018) on the Companies (Registration Offices) Regulations, 2018 says:
- Copies of company records can be issued on application, for a fee.
- Computer-generated certified copies do not need a signature or stamp.
- A duplicate certificate can be issued after an inquiry if the original is lost, destroyed or damaged.
The same report says documents filed at incorporation, and documents filed through eServices, are kept permanently. Old paper records for some companies can be destroyed after 10 years, but only after they are saved in electronic form. It does not say whether copies of destroyed paper records can be had electronically, and it is a 2018 report.
Where to Ask SECP
The 2022 press release gives these contacts for queries:
- WhatsApp: 0092-306-9365625
- Email: business.centre@secp.gov.pk
These details are from 2022, so check the SECP website to see that they are still in use.
What to Keep Ready
- The company’s exact legal name and registration number.
- Your CNIC, and proof that you are a director, officer or authorised person.
- The email address registered with the SECP.
The sources do not list the required papers. This is general advice. Ask the SECP what it needs.
Beware of Fake Agents
- Use only the official SECP website and contacts.
- Do not pay people who promise “instant” certificates through WhatsApp.
- Do not share your password or OTP with anyone.
What I Could Not Confirm
- Whether the certificate of incorporation can be downloaded from eServices after registration.
- The fee for certified copies or a duplicate certificate.
- The papers needed to apply.
- How long a duplicate certificate takes.
- Whether the 2018 and 2021 procedures are still the same today.
I could not open the SECP fee schedule. The April 2025 fee article I read does not mention fees for copies. Contact the SECP before you pay for anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get my company documents from SECP?
Through the eServices portal on the SECP website, or by applying to the Registration Office.
Are incorporation documents free?
Copies given at registration are free, according to a 2016 SECP announcement.
Can I get digital certified copies?
Yes, for statutory returns and the mortgage register. You apply and pay online, and the copies arrive by email.
What if I lost my certificate of incorporation?
A duplicate can be issued after an inquiry, according to a 2018 report.
How long is the QR code valid?
30 days, according to the 2021 SECP release.
Who can I ask?
The SECP business centre, on WhatsApp or by email, if the contacts are still current.
Check your email first, then ask the SECP about the fee and the papers you need.
