Setting up your online account

Register to use our online services

Creating an online account with the Companies Register allows you to complete the majority of your transactions with us online. It is free to set up, but fees apply when completing some transactions. There are two steps to setting up an account:

  1. ensuring you have a RealMe® login, and
  2. choosing the type of account you need.

In this guide

Terms and conditions

When you create an online account with us, you are asked to agree to our terms and conditions, which help ensure the information you provide is kept secure. By agreeing to our terms and conditions, you are committing to keeping your information on the Companies Register up to date.

Our terms and conditions set out your responsibilities as an online account administrator and, in particular, managing access to our services by other users of your account.

Terms and conditions

1. Ensure you have a RealMe® login

To create an online account you must have a RealMe username and password.

What is RealMe? RealMe website

If you already have a RealMe login

Select the Login button at the top of the page if you:

  • already have a RealMe username and password that you created to access the Companies Register, or
  • have a RealMe username and password from another agency.

Get a RealMe login

If you do not yet have a RealMe login:

  1. Select the Create link at the top right corner of this page.
  2. Select Create a RealMe login and follow the instructions to create a username and password.
  3. After you've created your username and password, select Next to start creating your online account.
  4. Follow the instructions in Step 2 to choose which type of account you need.

2. Choose which type of online account you need

On the 'Choose your account' screen, select which of the following 3 account user options applies to you.

I am using this website as an individual

Choose this option if you want to manage your own information (and if you will be the only person using the account. For example, as a director of your own company).

When prompted, follow these steps.

  1. Enter your personal details.
  2. Agree to the terms and conditions.
  3. Choose whether you want to set up direct debit as a payment option now (See note 1 below).
  4. Select 'Register'.
  5. When the 'Registration successful' screen appears, select 'Continue'.
  6. You will be directed to your dashboard where you can begin using the Companies Register.
  7. We will also send you an email confirming that you've successfully created your online account.

Note 1 — If you do not want to set up a direct debit payment option now, you can do this later. You can still use your online account, but must pay any fees by credit card, debit card or internet banking.
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Managing payments on the Companies Register

I want to set up an organisation account

Choose this option if you're creating an online account on behalf of an organisation (for example, as an employee of an accounting firm).

When prompted, follow these steps.

  1. Select 'I am a new user'.
  2. Enter your organisation details.
  3. Enter your contact details.
  4. Agree to the terms and conditions.
  5. Choose whether you want to set up direct debit as a payment option now (see Note 1 below).
  6. Select 'Register'.
  7. When the ‘Registration Successful’ screen appears, select ‘Continue’.
  8. You will be directed to your dashboard where you can begin using the Companies Register.
  9. We will also send you an email confirming that you’ve successfully created your online account.

Note 1 — If you do not want to set up a direct debit payment option now, you can do this later. You can still use your online account, but must pay any fees by credit card, debit card or internet banking.

Managing payments on the Companies Register

Your role as an account administrator

As the person creating an online account, you become the account administrator and can add or remove other account users. You can also appoint another user to be an administrator of the account.

Managing who can use and update your account

I have received an activation code

Choose this option if you've received an email from us containing an activation code. This means an administrator of an existing Companies Office organisation online account has begun the process of creating a user account on your behalf.

When prompted, follow these steps.

  1. Enter your activation code and select 'Activate'.
  2. Enter your personal details.
  3. Agree to the terms and conditions.
  4. Select 'Register'.
  5. When the 'Registration successful' screen appears select 'Continue'.
  6. You will be directed to your dashboard where you can begin using the Companies Register.
  7. We will also send you an email confirming that you’ve successfully created your online account.

Customise your account dashboard

Once your online account is confirmed, you can start to set up how some services and applications appear on your account dashboard.

Customising your account dashboard

Authority to update company records

If you set up an online account for an organisation, you become an administrator of the account and can:

  • update some details,
  • set up direct debit to pay online service fees, and
  • add or remove users from the account.

Managing who can use and update your account

Any users of an organisation's online account who want to complete tasks and transactions on behalf of the organisation (for example, completing an annual return) must confirm their authority to do so.

Confirming your authority to manage information

Other guides in
Managing your online account

Other help topics

Before you start a company

Starting a company

Keeping company details up to date

Shares and shareholders

Company directors

Company annual returns

Complying with the law

Financial reporting

Amalgamations

Managing an overseas company in New Zealand

Closing a company

Restoring a company to the register

When your company fails

Getting support to use the Companies Register

View all topics