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.

COREDO has been operating since 2016 and 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

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. It keeps accounting records in the Cook Islands and, where it is tax-resident or earns income from local sources, registers with the tax authority and files tax returns.

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 can be tailored to the specific needs of the members, including restrictions on transfers, economic entitlements and succession arrangements. The agreement may set the standards by which the managers’ good faith is assessed, but their duty to act in good faith and with due care remains. 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; the company may be managed by the members themselves or by an appointed 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.

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). A notarised and apostilled power of attorney is prepared only if required — it is an additional service.

03

Filing and incorporation.

Once the complete set of documents is received, company incorporation takes 1–2 business days. The documents are filed with the Registrar by a trustee company licensed in the Cook Islands, which also provides the company’s registered agent and registered office.

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.

Cost of Services

LLC formation (first year, all-inclusive)

USD 2,850 + VAT

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 + VAT

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 + VAT.
Shareholder — USD 2,300 per year + VAT.
Notarised and apostilled power of attorney (if required) — USD 420 + VAT.
Bank or EMI account opening — from USD 360 + VAT (depending on the jurisdiction).

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

Tax System of the Cook Islands

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

LLC

The LLC is not subject to Cook Islands taxes, including corporate tax and VAT. No tax registration is required and no tax returns are filed. The company renews its registration with the Registrar every year through its trustee company and keeps accounting records, which are held by its registered agent in the Cook Islands.

International Company (IC)

The IC is subject to 20% corporate income tax if it is tax-resident in the Cook Islands. A company is treated as resident when its directors control it from the Cook Islands, its place of effective management is located there, or three or more of its directors are Cook Islands residents. A non-resident IC pays tax only on income from Cook Islands sources — at a rate of 28%. Dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents are subject to 15% withholding tax. Where it is tax-resident or earns income from local sources, the IC registers with the tax authority and files tax returns.

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.

Alena Mach

Executive Director

Daniil Saprykin

Head of Customer Success

Annet Abdurzakova

Senior Customer Success Manager

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 not subject to Cook Islands taxes and files no tax returns. The IC is a traditional share-based structure with a board of directors; where it is tax-resident or earns income from Cook Islands sources, it registers with the tax authority and files tax returns. COREDO specialists will help select the form that fits your business objectives.

Are the details of company owners and directors published?

No. There is no public register of the owners and directors of LLCs and ICs in the Cook Islands. On request, the Registrar confirms only the company’s name, its registration date and number, its registered office and the contact details of the administering trustee company. No details of members are required when an LLC is registered or in its annual report; the list of members and managers is kept at the company’s registered office. The Registrar does receive details of an IC’s directors, but they are not among the details it confirms.

What taxes does a Cook Islands LLC pay?

The LLC is not subject to Cook Islands taxes, including corporate tax and VAT. Neither tax registration nor the filing of tax returns is required. The company does, however, renew its registration every year and keep accounting records.

How does asset protection work in a Cook Islands LLC?

The charging order mechanism is set out in the Limited Liability Companies Act 2008. 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. Such an order does not allow a member’s creditor to interfere in the management of the company or to seize or liquidate its assets; it cannot be renewed and is valid for five years.

Where can a Cook Islands company open an account?

Bank or EMI account opening for a Cook Islands company costs from USD 360 + VAT, depending on the jurisdiction. 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. COREDO specialists select a financial institution matching the business profile, prepare the documentation and manage communication with the bank at every stage.

Start Your Company Registration in the Cook Islands Today

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 successfully build business structures in Europe and beyond.

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