The role of the register of legal entities
in your company
Are you already running a company or thinking of starting one? Then the register of legal entities, or RPR for short, is something you cannot ignore. It plays an important role in the legal and administrative framework of a company. Namely, it determines the judicial district under which your company falls. But what exactly does it mean? Where can you find your RPR number and why is it so important? In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about this and what you would need it for. Happy reading!
What is the register of legal entities (RPR)?
The register of legal entities is an official register that lists all legal entities in Belgium. This register contains all kinds of information such as the registered office, date of incorporation, articles of association and other relevant legal information. Entry in this register is mandatory for companies and other legal entities governed by Belgian law. The register of legal entities (RPR) also determines which judicial district a legal entity falls under and is subject to consolidated legislation so that all provisions relating to legal information are kept up-to-date and can be consulted together.
Where can I find the register of legal entities?
You can consult the register of legal entities through various official bodies, including the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) and the Belgian Official Gazette. Through these sources, you can access the registered data (BV: registered office of the company) and the corresponding legal documents.
Where can I find my RPR number?
The RPR number can be found on official documents of the company, such as the deed of incorporation, the business office and in the Belgian Official Gazette.
How can I look something up in the Belgian Official Journal?
In the Belgian Official Gazette, all legal publications relating to legal persons can be looked up. This includes the incorporation of companies, amendments to articles of association and appointments. On the Official Gazette website, you can easily search by company name or RPR number.
What is my RPR number for?
The RPR number indicates the judicial district under which a company falls. This number determines which competent court has jurisdiction for any legal disputes. The RPR is thus an important identifier within the Belgian legal system.
Is my RPR number the same as my VAT number?
No, although these numbers are popularly mixed up, they are not the same. The VAT number is your company number but with 'VAT BE' in front of it. The RPR number refers to the judicial district under which your company falls. In practice, your company number is often mentioned in combination with the RPR, for example: "Company XYZ BV, Company number: 0123.456.789, RPR Brussels".
Which department does my company belong to?
The division under which a company falls is determined by the judicial district and its corporate court. This depends on the location of the company's registered office. In Antwerp, for example, a company falls under the court of Antwerp and is listed as "RPR Antwerp".
Where should my RPR number be listed?
The RPR number must be compulsorily displayed on all official documents of the company, such as:
Invoices
Outgoing correspondence
Official contracts and legal documents
Publications in the Belgian Official Gazette
This mandatory listing makes it easy for third parties to find out which competent court your company is under. Do you still have questions after reading this article? Do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you!
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