COREDO > Corporate Services > Company Formation > Company Formation in the Cook Islands

Company Formation in the Cook Islands

Why Register a Company in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands offer foreign investors the opportunity to establish either an International Company (IC) or a Limited Liability Company (LLC), both of which may be fully owned and managed by non-residents. The jurisdiction provides a high level of confidentiality, maintains no public register of owners, and exempts LLCs from local taxes, provided they do not conduct business with Cook Islands residents.

COREDO provides comprehensive registration support, including document preparation and certification, company incorporation, and assistance with opening a bank account.

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Cost of the service
from USD 2,850

Types of Companies in the Cook Islands

LLC (Limited Liability Company).

A hybrid structure combining corporate limited liability with contractual flexibility. The rights and obligations of members are governed by the LLC Agreement, which allows for the restriction of managers’ fiduciary duties and can be tailored to the specific needs of the members, including restrictions on transfers, economic entitlements and succession arrangements. The LLC provides strong asset protection: creditors of a member cannot seize or force a sale of the member’s interest — their claims are limited to a charging order on distributions only. Minimum requirements: one member and one manager. No minimum capital.

International Company (IC).

The traditional corporate structure with shares, shareholders and a board of directors. Minimum requirements: one shareholder, one director and one share. No minimum share capital.

For most international clients, the LLC is the preferred structure thanks to its zero-tax status and minimal compliance obligations. The IC suits those who require a classic share-based model with a board of directors, but it entails tax registration and annual financial statements.

Company Registration Procedure

Company formation in the Cook Islands is carried out entirely remotely — no travel to the jurisdiction is required at any stage. The process follows these steps:

Structure selection and initial consultation.

COREDO specialists help determine the optimal form — LLC or International Company — based on business objectives, tax considerations and asset protection requirements.

01

Completion of registration forms.

The client completes the Incorporation Form and the Individual Information Form — both provided by COREDO.

02

Collection and certification of documents.

Preparation of certified copies of passports, bank statements and proof of address for each beneficial owner, manager/director and member/shareholder. Certification is performed by a Notary Public, lawyer or court official; online notarisation is also accepted (Notarify, NotaryCam, Notarize).

03

Filing and incorporation.

Once the complete set of documents is received, company incorporation takes 1–2 business days.

04

Issuance of corporate documents.

For an LLC — the Certificate of Organization, LLC Agreement and Registers of Members and Managers; for an IC — the Certificate of Incorporation, constitutional documents (M&AA), Board Resolutions, Share Certificates and registers. Certified copies are delivered to the client by courier.

05

Bank or EMI account opening.

Upon request, COREDO arranges account opening with banks and EMI providers without the need for personal visits.

06

Required Documents

For each ultimate beneficial owner, manager or director, and member or shareholder, the following are required:

Certified true copy of passport

Certified true copy of a bank statement or bank reference (not older than 3 months)

Certified true copy of a recent utility bill or equivalent document showing name and residential address (not older than 3 months)

Completed Incorporation Form and Individual Information Form (provided by COREDO)

Certification may be performed by a Notary Public, lawyer or court official. Online notarisation via Notarify, NotaryCam or Notarize is also accepted — allowing the entire procedure to be completed without leaving the office.

Prior to commencement of the registration, a standard client due diligence (KYC/AML) check is conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Registration Timelines

Company incorporation in the Cook Islands takes 1–2 business days from receipt of the complete set of correctly prepared documents. Bank or EMI account opening typically takes 1–3 months, depending on the chosen institution, the applicant’s risk profile and the completeness of the documentation provided. The entire procedure — from document preparation to receipt of the corporate package — is handled remotely.

Opening a Bank Account

COREDO assists Cook Islands companies with corporate account opening at banks and EMI providers across multiple jurisdictions: in the Cook Islands themselves, Lithuania, Cyprus, the UK and other countries. All accounts can be opened remotely — no personal presence is required.

The cost of the service starts from USD 360, depending on the jurisdiction. Account opening typically takes 1–3 months and depends on the bank, the applicant’s risk profile and the completeness of documentation. COREDO specialists select a financial institution matching the business profile, prepare the documentation and manage communication with the bank at every stage.

Cost of Services

LLC formation (first year, all-inclusive)

USD 2,850

All government and registration fees.
Acting as organiser.
Certificate of Organization.
LLC Agreement.
Registers of Members and Managers.
Registered agent and registered office for 1 year.
Certificate of Incumbency.
Certified copies and courier delivery.
LLC annual renewal — USD 1,900. Includes: all annual government fees; renewal of registration; registered agent and registered office; maintenance of registers and statutory records.

International Company formation (first year, all-inclusive)

USD 3,300

All government and registration fees.
Preparation and filing of the constitutional documents (M&AA).
Certificate of Incorporation.
Board Resolutions.
Share Certificates.
Registers of Members and Directors.
Registered agent and registered office for 1 year.
Tax identification number.
Certificate of Incumbency.
Certified copies and courier delivery.
IC annual renewal — USD 2,700. Includes: all annual government fees; renewal of registration; registered agent and registered office; maintenance of registers; annual financial statements for tax purposes.

Optional services

from USD 360

Director — USD 2,300 per year.
Shareholder — USD 2,300 per year.
Notarised and apostilled power of attorney — USD 420.
Bank or EMI account opening — from USD 360.

All prices are all-inclusive of government fees, disbursements and courier fees. The final cost may vary depending on the specific case.

Tax System of the Cook Islands

The LLC is fully exempt from Cook Islands corporate tax, VAT and any reporting obligations — provided the company does not offer goods or services to Cook Islands residents. No tax registration is required, no tax returns are filed, and no financial statements need to be prepared.

The International Company (IC) is subject to 20% corporate income tax if it is tax-resident in the Cook Islands — that is, if three or more directors reside in the Cook Islands or the place of effective management is located in the jurisdiction. Dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents are subject to 15% withholding tax. Tax registration and annual financial statements are mandatory for the IC.

For most international clients, the LLC is the preferred structure given its zero-tax status and minimal compliance obligations.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company formation across jurisdictions worldwide.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with the COREDO team since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to travel to the Cook Islands to register a company?

No, the entire procedure is completed fully remotely. Incorporation takes 1–2 business days from receipt of the complete document package, and bank and EMI accounts are also opened without personal visits. Online notarisation of documents (Notarify, NotaryCam, Notarize) is accepted.

Which should I choose: an LLC or an International Company (IC)?

For most international clients, the LLC is preferable — it is fully exempt from local taxes and carries no reporting obligations. The IC is a traditional share-based structure with a board of directors, for which tax registration and annual financial statements are mandatory. COREDO specialists will help select the form that fits your business objectives.

Are the details of company owners and directors published?

No. Details of managers, directors, shareholders and beneficial owners are not filed with the Registrar, and there is no public register of any kind in the Cook Islands — with no plans to introduce one.

What taxes does a Cook Islands LLC pay?

The LLC is fully exempt from corporate tax, VAT and reporting obligations — provided the company does not offer goods or services to Cook Islands residents. No tax registration, no tax returns and no financial statements are required.

How does asset protection work in a Cook Islands LLC?

The Cook Islands charging order protection is considered among the strongest in the world. Creditors of a member cannot seize the member’s LLC interest or force its sale — their claims are limited exclusively to a charging order on distributions. Creditors of a member are legally barred from accessing the LLC’s assets.

How much do company formation and annual maintenance cost?

LLC formation costs USD 2,850 for the first year (all-inclusive), with annual renewal at USD 1,900. IC formation costs USD 3,300, with renewal at USD 2,700 per year. All prices include government fees, disbursements and courier delivery; the final cost may vary depending on the case.

Contact Us

COREDO specialists provide full support throughout the company formation process in the Cook Islands — from structure selection and document certification to incorporation, preparation of the corporate package, and bank or EMI account opening. We have been operating since 2016 and help entrepreneurs from dozens of countries successfully build business structures in Europe and beyond.

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