REGON: What It Is, How to Obtain and When Certified Translation of Certificate is Needed

The REGON number is one of the basic identifiers used in Polish business transactions. Although it may be less known than NIP or KRS, it plays an important role in public statistics and in contacts with certain institutions. What exactly is REGON, who must have it, how to obtain it, and when might certified translation of the REGON certificate be needed?

What is REGON number and who assigns it?

REGON is an acronym for National Official Register of Business Entities (Krajowy Rejestr Urzędowy Podmiotów Gospodarki Narodowej). It is a public register maintained by the President of the Central Statistical Office (GUS). The term "REGON" is also commonly used to refer to the unique, 9-digit (or 14-digit for local units) identification number assigned to entities registered in this register.

The main purpose of the REGON register is to collect and provide information about national economy entities for public statistics, scientific research, and creating databases for administration. The REGON number serves to uniquely identify an entity in various information systems.

Which entities must have a REGON number?

Mandatory registration in the REGON register, and thus obtaining a REGON number, applies to the following categories of entities:

• Legal persons (e.g., limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, foundations, associations registered in KRS).
• Organizational units without legal personality (e.g., general partnerships, professional partnerships, limited partnerships, housing communities).
• Natural persons conducting business activity (registered in CEIDG).
• Local units of the above-mentioned entities (e.g., branches, plants).
• Agricultural holdings.

In practice, every entity conducting any form of organized business or social activity in Poland should have a REGON number.

How to obtain a REGON number? Procedure

The procedure for obtaining a REGON number differs depending on the legal form of the entity:

• Natural persons conducting business activity: REGON number is assigned automatically based on data transferred from the Central Registration and Information on Business Activity (CEIDG) to GUS. The application for registration in CEIDG (form CEIDG-1) is simultaneously an application for assigning a REGON number (and NIP). The entrepreneur does not need to submit a separate application to GUS.
• Entities registered in the National Court Register (KRS): Similarly, data is transferred automatically from KRS to GUS, which assigns the REGON number.
• Other entities (e.g., some units not subject to registration in CEIDG or KRS, such as public schools, housing communities, if not registered in KRS as entrepreneurs): Submit an application for registration in the REGON register directly to the appropriate statistical office (form RG-OP for legal persons and organizational units without legal personality or RG-OF for natural persons conducting activity other than registered in CEIDG).

Assigning a REGON number is free of charge.

How to check REGON number and obtain a certificate?

Searching for REGON number online

The REGON number of a given entity (and other basic data) can be easily checked online using public search engines:

• Internet REGON Database maintained by GUS: Available on the Central Statistical Office website. Allows searching by REGON number, NIP, KRS, or entity name.
• CEIDG search engine: For natural persons conducting business activity, data (including REGON) is available in the Central Registration and Information on Business Activity.
• KRS search engine: For entities registered in KRS, data (including REGON) can be found in the search engine on the Ministry of Justice portal.

Obtaining a paper certificate of REGON number assignment

Although data from the REGON register is public and available online, in some situations an official, paper certificate of REGON identification number assignment may be needed. To obtain it, you need to submit an application (form RG-6) to the appropriate statistical office (GUS branch).

Issuing such a certificate is usually free of charge. Waiting time may range from several to several dozen days, depending on the office.

What does the REGON certificate contain?

A standard certificate of REGON identification number assignment contains, among others:

• Entity's REGON number.
• Full name of the entity.
• Address of headquarters (or place of residence for natural persons).
• NIP and PESEL numbers (if applicable).
• Legal form and ownership form.
• Date of entity establishment, start of activity (possibly suspension, termination).
• Main types of activity according to Polish Classification of Activities (PKD).
• Date of registration in REGON register.
• Data of the issuing authority and date of issuance.

When is certified translation of REGON certificate needed?

The certificate of REGON number assignment is a document prepared in Polish. Its certified translation into a foreign language will be required when a Polish entrepreneur or entity intends to use this document abroad. Example situations include:

• Establishing cooperation with foreign business partners: Contractors may require confirmation of official company registration in Poland.
• Opening a company bank account abroad.
• Participation in international tenders or projects.
• Registration of a branch or representative office of a Polish company in another country.
• Proceedings before foreign authorities or courts.

Similarly, if a foreign entity presents in Poland a document confirming its identification number from its domestic register (REGON equivalent), its certified translation into Polish may be necessary.

In the context of international business activity, other documents may also require translation, such as KRS extracts or company agreements.

How to order certified translation of REGON certificate online?

The certificate of REGON number assignment is an official document, so its translation intended for official use must be performed by a sworn translator. Only such a translation, bearing the translator's seal and signature, has legal force.

The Sworny.com platform is a convenient and fast way to obtain professional certified translation of REGON certificate and other corporate documents. We offer:

• Access to a network of experienced sworn translators specializing in official and business documents.
• Simple online ordering procedure: send a document scan and receive a quote.
• Competitive prices and cost transparency.
• Fast delivery times.
• Guarantee of confidentiality and security of your data.