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Service, Help and Guidance

The Department of State of the Government of Puerto Rico has the ministerial duty to administer several commercial registries that are fundamental to economic activity in Puerto Rico. These registries are: (i) the Electronic Registry of Corporations and Entities, by function of Act 164-2009, as amended; (ii) the Electronic Registry of Trademarks, Trade Names and Related Transactions, by function of Act 169-2009, as amended, and by function of Act 75-1992, as amended; the (iii) Electronic Registry of Commercial Transactions, by function of Act 21-2012, as amended; (iv) and the Registry of Intellectual Property, by function of Act 55-2012, as amended.

On the other hand, this registry has examining officers who qualify any filing and notify applicants of any deficiencies, who may then submit the necessary complementary and/or clarifying documents. In addition, it is imperative to contribute to the economic development of the country, which is why the data captured in the Commercial Registries are available to the general public for purposes of analysis and for the statistical production that is necessary to formulate the business plans needed to bring about economic growth in Puerto Rico.

Objectives

  • Through the Electronic Registry of Corporations and Entities, all corporations, limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships formed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or foreign corporations and limited liability partnerships interested in doing business in Puerto Rico are registered. Any amendment to their constitutive documents, as well as any dissolution and filing of annual reports, payment of annual fees or renewals, are also recorded in this Registry. Its purpose is to publicize the documents filed to the general public, in addition to providing the certifications requested.
  • Through the Electronic Registry of Trademarks, Commercial Names and Related Transactions, Trademarks and Commercial Names, as well as amendments and terminations, are registered. Moreover, this registry has examining officers who qualify any filing and notify applicants of any deficiencies, who may then submit the necessary complementary and/or clarifying documents. In addition to providing Registration Certificates, they also issue certifications related to its management, as well as publish, through the Official and Digital Gazette, the official publication of Trademarks in process, a mechanism through which the general public can check what is being qualified and have the opportunity to oppose, if they understand that they have any rights.
  • Through the Electronic Registry of Commercial Transactions, financing statements are filed, which are necessary to publicize and perfect the liens on movable property, which arise as a guarantee from debtors to their creditors. In addition to the initial declarations, amendments and terminations are filed. This registry also provides the certifications that are requested.
  • The Intellectual Property Registry registers intellectual works published in Puerto Rico that are the creation of Puerto Rican authors, foreign persons domiciled in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican works that are printed abroad to be sold, distributed or reproduced in Puerto Rico or any other use that implies their publication at the request of the author or his or her successors in title.
  • The Department, through its relations with foreign countries, is able to support entrepreneurs, in conjunction with the Trade and Export Company, in their efforts to expand their markets through exports. The Department is also active in stimulating commercial exchange with foreign countries, and therefore supports any necessary interaction with entrepreneurs abroad, even if they are not in the process of exporting goods or services.
  • The Department of State's website publishes reports, analyses and statistics that are of great value to entrepreneurs interested in configuring an effective business plan that will help them, through its execution, to enjoy sustained economic growth. The data comes mostly from the Electronic Registry of Corporations and Entities, and includes data received through the Economic Census, carried out since the 2013 annual report and presented in 2014.

Useful Links

Title Description

Electronic Registry of Corporations and Entities

Registry to register, amend, terminate and obtain certifications related to corporations, limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships. It is also the place to file annual reports, pay annual fees or renew partnerships, as the case may be.

Electronic Registration of Trademarks, Trade Names and Related Transactions

Registry to register, amend, terminate and obtain certifications related to Trademarks and Commercial Names. It is also the place to file pleadings in response to examiners' notices.

Electronic Registration of Commercial Transactions

Registry to register, amend and terminate Financing Statements. It is also the place to manage related certifications.

Intellectual Property Registration

Registration to register intellectual works, in protection of the moral rights of authors. Related certifications are also produced.