How to use our services

Registering your board and keeping its details up to date

Becoming a charitable trust board requires that you register and maintain your organisation on the Charitable Trusts Register. All the tasks needed to do this can be carried out online.

Using our online services

Before you can use our online services, you’ll need a RealMe® login, and an online services account with the Companies Office.

What is RealMe? RealMe® website

RealMe logins and setting up your online services account

Doing things online enables quicker processing, allows you to check the progress of applications, and saves you the cost of postage.

If you prefer, you can file all necessary documents with us manually. This does not require an online services account. Both options are covered in the help guides on this website.

Confirming your authority to manage information

To manage your trust board’s information on the register you’ll also need to confirm that you have the authority to do so. This is a simple one-off process.

Read more about confirming your authority

Terms and conditions

When you create an online services account, you'll be asked to agree to our terms and conditions. These set out your responsibilities and help to ensure the information you provide is kept secure. By agreeing to our terms and conditions, you're committing to keeping your information on the register up to date.

Terms and conditions Companies Office

All help topics

Getting started on the register 7 guides

Find out about charitable trusts and the Charitable Trusts Register, how to set up an online services account, and where to start when incorporating a charitable trust board.

Searching the Charitable Trusts Register 2 guides

Searching the register for information about charitable trust boards and their status.

Starting a charitable trust board 5 guides

To incorporate a charitable trust board you must submit an application, along with the required documents. There is no registration fee.

Keeping charitable trust board details up to date 5 guides

Once you've registered your charitable trust board, you're required by law to keep certain information about it up to date.

Ending a charitable trust board 2 guides

There are two ways to end a charitable trust board. If the board is no longer operating, it can apply to be dissolved. If it is unable to pay its debts, it can be placed in liquidation.

Restoring a charitable trust board to the register 1 guide

A trust board that has been removed from the Charitable Trusts Register can apply to us to be restored.

Managing your online account 6 guides

Your online services account allows you to update and manage personal and organisation account details from your online dashboard.

Forms 1 guide

Find the forms you'll need to register your charitable trust board or keep its details up to date. Please note: there are no fees for registering or maintaining a charitable trust board.