The completed file allowing for the RCS formality linked to the transfer of the registered office (outside of the territorial jurisdiction of the commercial court, to which the legal entity is attached) must be filed during the month that the legal instrument was determined (Article R. 123-66 of the Commercial Code): either

• at the competent Commercial Formality Centre (CFE); or
• directly with the clerk of the Commercial Court OF THE JURISDICTION INTO WHICH THE REGISTERED OFFICE IS TRANSFERRED, by application of Article R. 123-5 of the Commercial Code (the procedure known as "Article 3" of Decree No. 96-650 of 19 July 1996).

Convene a meeting for decision on transfer of the registered office.

Publish a notice of modification in a journal of legal announcements. This notice must in particular address the new and former registered offices. The notice must be published within the geographic jurisdiction of the former registered office and a notice must also be published in the jurisdiction of the new registered office.

You must demonstrate to the court clerk regular occupancy of the new premises of the registered office (by any means: copy of the commercial lease, recent EDF or telephone billings . . .).

To establish your company's domicile, you may also contact a domiciliation company (refer to our section obligations of companies with commercial domiciliation and domiciled companies), or to a business incubator...

If you are performing a regulated activity, be sure to request a modification of your approval or authorisation with the issuing body.

Legal instruments to be produced by annex to the RCS

A copy of the legal instrument determining transfer of the registered office, certified as conforming by the legal representative.

An updated copy of the articles of association, dated and certified by the legal representative.

A listing of the prior registered offices, certified as conforming by the legal representative.

Supporting documents

The M2 printed forms duly completed and signed.

An original power of attorney from the legal representative if he has not signed the M2 forms.

A certificate of publication of the modifying notice in a journal of legal announcements for the former office and a certificate for the new office.

Proof of a right to occupancy of the premises of the new registered office (by any means: EDF statement, telephone bill, lease, contract of domicile . . .). Remember the major importance of clearly identifying the address of your registered office, thus allowing the court clerk to send you the Trade and Companies Register extracts during a formality, or to your partners to enter into contact with you. If the registered office is established at the legal representative's domicile, it is necessary to identify the mailbox with the company name and to perform postal steps necessary for forwarding correspondence.

An original RCS extract for the former registered office, dating within three months except if the declarant effectuates a transfer of office between two clerks of the COMMERCIAL COURTS.

if it relates to a regulated business activity, attach the diploma, and the approval or authorisation of practice issued by the controlling agency.

Attach a cheque for 257.62 euros (if the legal entity retains no activity in the jurisdiction of the former registered office)

If the business has one (or several) establishments registered at the Trade and Companies Register (RCS) territorial jurisdiction of which resides in another court: add 51.48 euros for this formality (multiplied by the number of secondary registrations).

Cheques must be made payable to the relevant GREFFE DU TRIBUNAL DE COMMERCE, and attached to the application.

Registry office fees: postage fees of extracts included. INPI: National institute of industrial property (paid by the registry office). BODACC: Bulletin Officiel des Annonces Civiles et Commerciales (Official Journal of Civil and Commercial Announcements) (paid by the registry office).