According to the FSC, the Online Public View Search Facility enables individuals to search company records, check the availability of company names and submit applications to reserve a company name. It has been launched as part of an ongoing programme of service enhancements from the Isle of Man Companies Registry for both local and international users.

The Isle of Man (unlike the UK), stores all its company records electronically so the database is able to provide comprehensive records relating to all business from the Isle of Man Bank - the first company incorporated on the Island – back in 1865 through to the present day.

“Companies Registry has benefited from a significant investment in technology over the past 3 years enabling it to manage more efficiently the large volume of documents it receives each year,” noted FSC Chief Executive John Aspden.

“We are delighted to now offer online access to company information and documents and believe the service will be more convenient and cost effective for users, wherever they are located,” he added.

Also welcoming the new system, Jane Dellar, Head of Isle of Man Finance, explained that the search facility will save users both time and money.

“It gives users a great opportunity to access information in an electronic format in a quick and simple way rather than paying a search agent to do the job,” she observed.