Central Registers of Nominee Directors and Nominee Shareholders in Singapore

Registers of Nominee Directors and Nominee Shareholders in Singapore

For companies in Singapore—especially those with nominee directors or shareholders—the new ACRA requirements bring greater transparency and regulatory compliance. This guide breaks down how to maintain and file the Registers of Nominee Directors (ROND) and Nominee Shareholders (RONS) with ACRA, using the official framework.

1. What Are ROND and RONS—and Why They Matter

Private Registers
Every company with nominee directors or nominee shareholders must maintain private internal registers:

• Register of Nominee Directors (ROND)

• Register of Nominee Shareholders (RONS)
  These registers capture the particulars of nominators and nominees, such as names, contact details, and the date of appointment or cessation. These must be maintained accurately and kept at the company’s registered office or with a registered corporate service provider.

Central Registers at ACRA
From 16 June 2025:

• Existing companies and foreign companies must submit the information in their private registers to ACRA by 31 December 2025.

• For companies incorporated on or after 16 June 2025, the required nominee information must be filed at the point of incorporation.
  After that, any changes must be updated with ACRA within 2 business days.

Once submitted, the company’s nominee status is reflected publicly in its business profile. However, full nominator details remain accessible only to public agencies for law enforcement purposes.

2. What Information Is Required in the Registers

Both ROND and RONS must include:

• Full name of nominee and nominator

• Contact details: email, phone, residential or registered office address

• Identifiers: NRIC/passport numbers, nationality

• Date of appointment/cessation as nominee

• For legal entity nominators: legal form, jurisdiction, entity register, registration number

These records must be promptly updated:

• Within 7 days of a change in private registers

• Within 2 business days to ACRA’s central register

3. How to Lodge or Update Registers via BizFile+

Companies can file and update nominee information through the “Update Registers of Nominee Directors and Nominee Shareholders” eService on BizFile+. Here’s how:

1. Log in with CorpPass credentials.

2. Navigate to Manage → Local/Foreign Company → Update Registers…

3. Choose the relevant update action (add, edit, cease).

4. Fill in the details as required; up to 50 nominators per transaction.

5. Review and submit with declaration.

4. Confidentiality vs. Disclosure

While the private registers are not publicly accessible—and should not be shared with shareholders, auditors, or the public—the ACRA central register reflects whether someone is a nominee director or shareholder in the company’s business profile. Full nominator details are restricted to law enforcement and other public agencies upon request.

5. Non-Compliance Risks

Although ACRA’s guidance does not explicitly detail penalties, missing the 31 December 2025 deadline—or failing to update records as required—can expose your company to regulatory scrutiny. Industry commentary points to fines of up to SGD 5,000 per breach, criminal prosecution, or director disqualification for serious offences.

Summary Table

*Dates refer to timelines caused by the amendments effective as of 16 June 2025.

Final Words

Maintaining and filing the Registers of Nominee Directors and Shareholders according to ACRA’s evolving framework is essential for compliance, transparency, and legal integrity. Companies should start now—update private registers, submit information via BizFile+, and prepare for ongoing updates. If you need help with drafting, filing, or managing these registers, feel free to reach out to our corporate services team.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any professional advice. Feel free to contact us to consult with our professional advisors team for personalized advice and guidance.

Sources: https://www.acra.gov.sg/compliance/registers-of-nominee-directors-and-nominee-shareholdershttps://www.acra.gov.sg/compliance/registers-of-nominee-directors-and-nominee-shareholders