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I am proud to let the public know that we are now in the process of complete automation of the Registrar General’s Department. On January 1, 2006 all services of the Department will be available electronically and online. This initiative is in keeping with the department’s continued effort to provide improved services to the public.
Company Filing Services
In addition, our Agent Internet Module System is now fully operational and Registered Agents can apply to become an authorized online agent and make use of the following company filing services which are now available online:
Filing Services | Domestic | IBC |
| Memorandum and Articles/Association | X | X |
| Certificate of Compliance |  | X |
| Registrars of Directors and Officers | | X |
| Change of Capital | | X |
| Change of Name | X | X |
| Annual Statement | X | |
| Annual Return | X | |
| Amending Resolutions | X | X |
| Annual Resolutions | X | X |
Deeds and Documents
Today, we are proud to launch the Deeds and Documents component of the automation. This means:
a. All Deeds and Documents submitted to the Registrar General’s Department for recording on or after June 1 will be indexed, and scanned. Initially the deeds and documents submitted for recording will be available for collection in 30 days, with the goal of reducing this period to two weeks for Nassau and three weeks for Freeport once we have completed Beta testing. Deeds and Documents previously submitted to the Registrar General’s Department for recording, but which are not available for collection have been indexed and recorded in the Registry of Records in the order of priority of receipt. However, it will be necessary to scan and make electronic copies of these documents over the next several months before they will be available for collection.
b. Customers will be able to perform electronic searches of the index of Deeds and Documents from 1993 to the present. These services are available at public terminals at the Department, and also online.
c. Customers will be able to print copies of documents submitted for recording, within 30 days of submission of the Deeds and Documents, with the goal of reducing this period to two weeks for Nassau and three weeks for Freeport once we have completed Beta testing. This is valid for documents submitted for recording after June 1st, 2005.
d. Customers will be able to receive certified copies of documents submitted for recording, within 30 days of submission of the respective Deeds and Documents, with respect to documents submitted for recording after June 1st, 2005. The goal is to reduce this period to two weeks for Nassau and three weeks for Freeport once we have completed Beta testing
To facilitate the efficient recording of Deeds and Documents, the Registrar General is implementing the following procedures:
i) The pages of all Deeds and Documents, including Affidavits and backing sheets, should be numbered sequentially.
ii) Limit the use of bindings or staples.
iii) Ensure that all plans attached to Deeds and Documents are limited to a maximum size of 11” x 17” to facilitate the imaging process.
The fee for a search of the Deeds Registry will remain at the current rate of $10.00 per hour, until further advised.
The Registry has very ambitious goals for this year, and we are confident that they will be achieved. By the end of this year, the Registry’s goals are:
- To put 30 years worth of deeds in electronic format to facilitate electronic searches;
- To make available electronic copies of such Deeds and Documents.
- To allow customers to print copies of documents submitted for recording in the last 30 years;
- And, to receive certified copies of documents submitted for recording in the last 30 years.
e. Payments for services MUST be effected by Certified Cheque, Cash or Credit Card, or payment on account by any of these means. These payment methods will permit the Registrar General to expedite the processing of documents. Please note that the Registrar General will no longer accept personal or company cheques.
f. The entire project will be launched and beta tested in phases. This is an important aspect of the automation because it is crucial that we rely on public feedback and participation in the automation process to ensure that system are continually improved prior to the main launch date of January 1, 2006.
g. The automation process will be done in phases, as follows:
i. June 1, 2005 Deeds and Documents (Phase One)
ii. July 30, 2005 Births (Phase Two)
iii. September 30, 2005 Deaths and Adoptions (Phase Three)
iv. October 30, 2005 Marriages (Phase Four)
v. December 1, 2005 Industrial Properties (Phase Five)
vi. January 1, 2006 FULLY AUTOMATED
My ministry is very pleased with the progress of the Automation Process at the Registrar General's Department and will keep the public informed as we progress further. This is a major undertaking with very tight deadlines; however, I have the highest level of confidence in the Registrar General’s Team. I know that the team will continue to excel in its performance and show exceptional professionalism and commitment to the success of this project.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen and I now open the floor to any questions that the press might have.
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