Registrar
co-operative transformation

Quick Links:   General Queries  |  Charities Act  |  Co-operative Societies Act  

Registrar's Reply: Your Questions, Answered!


    GENERAL QUERIES
  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • My mother died last year and left her shares in a Credit Union for me. However, when I went to the management, I was told that I could not get the money because my name was not on the Nomination Card. What must I do to get my inheritance?

  • Dear Ms. Williams
  • This is unfortunate, but only person whose name is on the Nomination Card can have direct claim to the shares. If no other person was nominated you would have to approach the Administrator-General, to whom the shares of your mother would be transferred, for any possibility of receiving any inheritance.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • Can you please advise me if I can register a not for profit organization operate from my office home? I am not in a position to afford an office space.

  • Dear Miss. Kerry-Marie Ford
  • You may use your home as the registered office for a charity or any other type of organization; however, please be aware that, as the regulator, we may need to visit this address to access documents and facilitate inspection when the need arises. To avoid any inconvenience or intrusion into your personal space, we recommend selecting a location that does not overlap with your private living area.

    If you are using your office space for other business activities, it is important to maintain clear separation by keeping separate accounts and records for each activity. This helps ensure proper compliance and organization.

    • REGISTERED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • My sister wants to ship things for charity to Jamaica. How can she clear it at the custom as charitable goods? Is there anyway to go about this with out having a charity of her own?

  • Dear Miss Wynter
  • Unfortunately, while she may be able to clear the items at Customs, she will not qualify for tax waivers, as she is not recognized as a registered charitable organization.

    Your sister has two options:
    • Donate and ship the items to an already registered charity.
    • Register her own charity in Jamaica.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • We register a charity some time ago and would like to know what is required to keep it active.?

  • Dear Ms Penny Steven
  • The registered charity and all other entities registered with the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies should submit their annual returns and financial returns no later than March 31st of each year

    With regard to a registered charitable, there are some additional requirements...
    • Submit a completed Fit and Proper Questionnaire Form for any new Director or Secretary.
    • Notify the Charities Authority immediately of changes* on the Form 7 - Notice of Change to Charities Authority.
    • Ensure that the charity's certificate is active. A Charity has a two month window before the expiry date to renew its Certificate.

    Kindly refer to the charity section of the post registration requirement document for more detail information.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I am operating a charity, do I have to register my Charity with the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies?

  • Dear Mr. Jesse Brown
  • Registering your charity with the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies (DCFS) is not mandatory. This registration serves as a "permit" that allows you to access tax waivers under various Acts.

    If your organization does not require or desire this registration, you can still operate your charity without it.

    However, please note that some sponsors may be hesitant to donate to an organization without this status. They often rely on the DCFS as the Charities Authority to monitor and ensure that registered charities are compliant with regulations, such as anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) standards. This helps assure sponsors that their donations are going to a legitimate and trustworthy charity.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • Over the years I've been donating cash awards to students at various institutions across the island and would like to now establish a registered charity in Jamaica to donate these funds through. How may I go about doing so?

  • Dear Betty
  • We recommend the following steps to establish your organization: [1] Register a Non-Profit with the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ). [2] Apply to us for charitable status under the Charity Act, 2013.

    Please ensure that your constitution clearly reflects charitable purposes as outlined in the Charity Act, 2013. Additionally, at least one of the Directors must be a resident of Jamaica, in accordance with the Charitable Regulation, 2022.

    Before proceeding to the Companies Office of Jamaica, we encourage you to explore the following resources:
    Let us know if you have any questions or need further assistance!

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I have always wanted to register a charitable organization. Are there any restriction I should be aware of?

  • Dear Mark
  • Registration will only be processed if the entity’s objectives align with Schedule 1 of the Charities Act 2013 and it is not an excluded body. This includes, but is not limited to, political parties or any organization that promotes a political party or its candidates.

    For a quick overview, please refer to our Charity's brochure.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • In making application for certification as a Charity is it necessary to include all the names of the Directors of the company? For example, if there are seven Directors would it be okay to submit five of them?

  • Dear Mrs. Audrey Lewis
  • Kindly note that it is essential to declare all Directors and submit completed Fit and Proper Questionnaires for each Director and the Secretary. Please be aware that incomplete submissions, including missing Directors' names, may delay the processing of your application.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I have a nonprofit organization established in the USA, but I am looking to operate in Jamaica. I have already established registered an overseas branch at the Companies Office in Jamaica. Do I have to return to Jamaica to facilitate the charity registration?

  • Dear Miss. Delisser
  • We have now lunch our online registration at https://orms.dcfs.gov.jm/Account/Login.

    There you can create an account, complete the online application, upload your supporting documents and submit your application. Should you have any further concerns or queries you may reach out to us for guidance.

    Kindly note however that according to the new Charity Regulations, one of the Directors must reside in Jamaica

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I have registered and is operating a charitable organization oversea in the United States of America. How can I register my charity in Jamaica?

  • Dear Mr. Frank Moffat
  • In order to register your overseas charity, please follow these steps: [1] Register an overseas branch with the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) then [2] apply to us for charitable status under the Charity Act, 2013.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I registered a Charitable Organization and I was told that I MUST remove limited from the name of the Charity.

  • Dear Mr. Timony Powell
  • Charitable organizations are not required to remove "Limited" from their name; however, doing so may be beneficial to the organization.

    If you are incorporated at the Companies Office of Jamaica then the word "LTD" must be removed from the entities name or asset tax will be incurred. This request may be made with the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies if you are registered with us as a Charity, otherwise, this request must be made via the Companies Office of Jamaica.

    Secondly while this is not strictly accurate, some individuals may associate the term "Limited" with a for-profit business rather than a charitable organization.

    If you would like some assistance to remove limited from the name of the charitable organization, check our these resources: Removing the word “limited” from a company’s name and Special Resolution for the change of name to remove limited. 6205983

    • CO-OPERATIVES SOCIETIES
  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I am a member of a Coffee Co-operative, where I am having problem with the manager. I have marketed six boxes of coffee through the Co-operative, but I received payment equivalent to five boxes. When I spoke to him about the situation, he reacted angrily to me. Please help me.

  • Dear Mr. Carl Johnson
  • The method used in Co-operatives for computing the amount to be paid per box of coffee is different from regulators and, therefore all members should make an effort to understand.

    I do not have the facts, but my guess is that some costing for service received had to be deducted from your payment which reduced the total amount you should be paid. An example of service could be spraying of your farm for Berry Borer. Discuss the matter amicably with your Director or group Secretary.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • I'm looking for some information on how to establish a housing co-operative which would develop and sell residential houses?

  • Dear Mr. Thomas
  • A co-operative can engage in any business or social venture, including construction projects. You would however have to investigate the requisite license and requirements with regards to constructing a housing complex. We can only guide you on the formation of a co-operative society. You would require at least ten members, and they will have to show that they have sufficient capital to facilitate their objective(s). A business plan would also be required.

    Please refer to the co-operative section of our brochure for more detail information.

  • Dear Mr. Registrar:
  • Is the Department the entity resposible for the setting of policies as it relates to cases of fraud and the resolution of them?

  • Dear Sis Gravey
  • The fraud policy within your organization is typically established by the Society's Board, and it is based on prudential standards. If you have specific concerns or inquiries regarding fraud, it would be best to submit a written communication to the Department, providing detailed information about the matter. By doing so we will be able to properly review your concerns and provide you with the necessary guidance and assistance.

    • Still in the dark? ASK THE REGISTRAR