To register a company, a number of matters need to be dealt with:

1. When should I register?
   Registration of the company should occur within a period of one week preceding and one week following the commencement of business activities.
2. Where should I register?
   Registration should take place at the Chamber of Commerce for your area. If your company has more than one place of business, the location of the head office determines the place of registration.
   If you have no company, but do have a legal entity, such as an association or society, then your registered office (set out in the legal deed) determines the place of registration.
   If the location of the company is difficult to determine, the residential address of the company owner can be used as the company address.
   If it is not possible to ascribe any address to the company, it will be registered at the Chamber of Commerce in Rotterdam. This situation would cover barge masters with no permanent onshore address, for example.
3. Getting in touch with the Chamber of Commerce
   Get in touch with the Chamber of Commerce in your area so that it can send you the correct forms. You can also download the registration forms for a sole proprietor business. If you visit the Chamber of Commerce in person, you can take a copy of the registration with you once registration is complete. Find out in advance all the information you will need for the registration. A charge is involved for the registration process.
4. Who may register on behalf of a company?
   The following persons may register the company with the trade register:
   • The owner of the company.
   • Partners of the VOF or managing partners of the CV.
   • The managers of the legal entity.
   • If none of the above are resident in the Netherlands: the person who is responsible for the day to day running of the company in the Netherlands. 

Note: these persons are also responsible in the event of a failure to register.
In a number of special cases other persons may be authorized and/or obliged to apply for registration. The Chamber of Commerce can advise you about these special cases. With each registration that you file with the trade register, it is vitally important that the forms which are submitted are signed by the right person. The Chamber of Commerce will be happy to answer any queries you may have.