How to Conduct a Cayman Islands Company Registry Search
The Cayman Islands is one of the world's leading offshore financial centres, home to thousands of investment funds, holding companies, and financial vehicles.
But accessibility is a different story.
Unlike jurisdictions with open corporate registries, the Cayman Islands operates a pay-per-search model through the Cayman Business Portal. You'll find basic company details like registration numbers and director names, but shareholder information remains largely inaccessible to the public.
Some reforms have enhanced transparency, albeit in a limited way. Since July 2024, all Cayman companies must maintain a Beneficial Ownership Register, though access is tightly restricted to law enforcement, UK tax authorities, and those with legitimate interest, which is far from clear-cut.
This guide explains how to navigate the Cayman business search system, what information you can realistically obtain, and when to escalate your investigation.
H2: What is the Cayman Islands Business Register?
Access to public corporate records is managed through the Cayman Business Portal (CBP) and the general Company Search function.
H2: What Information is Available?
Public search reports include the following basic information:
Company name
Registration number
Current status
List of Directors
Detailed Search Report summarising the company’s constitutional documents.
Lack of Shareholder Data: A search of the online public register will show the initial shareholders registered at the company. However, companies are not obligated to keep their shareholder registers up to date.
Reporting Requirements of Companies in the Cayman Islands
Exempted Companies (ECs)
The most common Cayman vehicle.
No public register of members. Ownership stays private.
Must keep a Register of Members internally, but it’s not filed with the Registrar.
Must file a Register of Directors and Officers with the Registrar. Only the names of current directors are available for public inspection (for a fee).
No local trading allowed, except to support offshore business.
Must keep a Beneficial Ownership Register (BOR) unless exempt via an Alternative Route to Compliance (ARC), such as being a licensed or registered fund.
For KYB teams: Expect no public ownership trail. Escalate to CSP or use the BOR route.
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Similar offshore vehicle with one key transparency edge.
The Registration Statement filed on formation includes initial members’ names and addresses. That document is publicly inspectable for CI$50 (≈ US$61).
Ongoing Register of Members stays private.
Must file a Register of Managers with the Registrar. The names of current managers are available for inspection (fee applies).
Must maintain a BOR unless exempt under an ARC.
For KYB teams: that initial member list is your low-cost starting point for ownership tracing.
Exempted Limited Partnerships (ELPs)
Popular with investment funds.
No public register of general or limited partners.
Must maintain a BOR unless exempt under an ARC (e.g. registered under the Private Funds or Mutual Funds Act).
The BOR itself is not public. Access requires legitimate grounds.
Segregated Portfolio Companies (SPCs)
Used by funds and insurers, the SPC follows the same filing and BOR rules as an EC, with two differences:
Create multiple ring-fenced “portfolios” within one legal entity.
Must file a notice with the Registrar listing all portfolios created.
That notice helps identify the SPC’s structure, useful for understanding risk segmentation.
H2: How to Access Information
The Cayman Islands General Registry does not operate like the UK’s Companies House, where you can freely browse and download filings. You must order a report on a specific company, as is the case with the British Virgin Islands.
1. Register for an account.
This must be done on the Cayman Business Portal (CBP). You can also request searches via the General Registry office.
2. Order a Search Report.
To view company information, you must order a specific search or inspection and pay a fee per search.
3. Pay the Fee.
General search (basic company search/report): US$36.59.
Inspection: (detailed search): US$60.98.
Inspection (current directors): US$60.98.
H2: Documents Available
Since January 2025, the following documents have been available:
Certificate of Good Standing: $182.93
Certificate of Incorporation / Registration / Existence / Incumbency / Name-Change / Strike-off / Dissolution / Restoration: $182.93.
Copy of any document (certified copy): $182.93.
Certification (i.e. stamped/certified document): $182.93
Express Processing: If you pay the express fee and submit by 12:00 noon local time (Cayman), the Registrar’s statutory rule aims to complete the transaction the same working day or by noon next working day if submitted after 12:00.
H2: Beneficial Ownership Register
On July 31, 2024, all Cayman-registered companies were required to submit beneficial ownership information to the authorities.
The register is accessible only to law enforcement, the British tax authorities, and “licensed financial institutions” for $1,829 per annum.
What is a Licensed Financial Institution? It isn’t clear whether a Licensed Financial Institution includes non-Cayman banks and financial institutions.
Need to know: The 2024 AR Regulations allow the beneficial owner to apply to pay $1,220 to prohibit the disclosure of their information for up to 3 years.
H3: Legitimate Interest Access (LIA)
“Legitimate interest access” regulations came into force on February 28, 2025, providing the only pathway for non-governmental and overseas financial institutions entering a business relationship or transaction with a legal person.
Application: Applications must be submitted via the electronic portal and include identity confirmation, relationship details, and a declaration that this will be used for AML/CTF prevention purposes.
Fee: A non-refundable fee applies: $37 for one legal person, or $122 for more than one.
Timeline: The Competent Authority usually approves or refuses within 7 days.
What you must know: This ‘legitimate access route’ should only be used in the context of EDD.
H2: Access the Global Business Register
Conducting a Cayman Islands business search requires patience and realistic expectations.
You'll obtain basic company details, such as registration numbers, directors, and status. But ownership data will require direct engagement with corporate service providers or a legitimate interest application to access the BOR.
The real challenge for compliance teams isn't just the Cayman Registry; it's managing entities across multiple offshore jurisdictions. A Cayman EC rarely exists in isolation; it's typically part of a broader structure spanning the BVI, Jersey, Delaware, and other common holding jurisdictions, each with different portals, fees, and data formats.
Kyckr consolidates registry data from 100+ countries into a single access point, eliminating the friction of switching between portals or managing separate payment systems.
Access Cayman Islands business information now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cayman Islands company register public?
No. The Cayman Registry is semi-public. You can order company search reports for a fee, but there’s no free online browsing like Companies House in the UK.
Can I search by director or beneficial owner name?
No. Searches can only be performed by company name or number. The register does not support person-based queries.
How long does it take to receive search results or certificates?
Standard requests take around 3–5 business days. Express requests (submitted before 12:00 p.m. Cayman time) are usually processed the same day under the Companies Act s.200A.
What information can I see in a Cayman company search?
Company name, registration number, status, registered office, and list of current directors. Some entities include a summary of constitutional documents.
Can I see who owns a Cayman company?
No. The register of members is private for most company types. Only initial members of LLCs are listed in a publicly inspectable document.
Can overseas financial institutions access the BOR?
Yes, under the Legitimate Interest Access Route introduced in February 2025. Applications are made via the electronic portal and must show an AML/CTF purpose.
