Short answer
The Office of Company Registrar (OCR) — कम्पनी रजिष्ट्रारको कार्यालय — is the Government of Nepal office under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies that registers companies and keeps their legal records under the Companies Act 2063. It is based in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, and most of its services are now delivered online through CAMIS at ocr.gov.np.
| Full form of OCR | Office of Company Registrar |
|---|---|
| In Nepali | कम्पनी रजिष्ट्रारको कार्यालय (Company Registrarko Karyalaya) |
| Also called | Company Registrar's Office (CRO), company registration office |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies |
| Main law | Companies Act 2063 (2006) |
| Location | Tripureshwor, Kathmandu |
| Website | ocr.gov.np |
OCR and CRO: what the abbreviations mean
In Nepal, OCR stands for the Office of Company Registrar. It has nothing to do with optical character recognition, which is why searches like “ocr nepali” often show image-to-text tools instead. CRO is an informal abbreviation for the Company Registrar's Office and refers to the same institution; you will also see it called the “company registration office” or “company register office”.
The head of the office is the Registrar (रजिष्ट्रार), who exercises the powers given by the Companies Act 2063 — approving registrations, maintaining the register of companies, receiving annual returns and taking action against companies that do not comply.
What the Office of Company Registrar does
- Registers private limited, public limited and not-for-profit companies, and foreign company branches and liaison offices.
- Approves company names and keeps the register so two companies cannot share a confusingly similar name.
- Records changes in directors, shareholders, share capital, registered office and constitutional documents (MOA/AOA).
- Receives annual returns, audited financial statements and auditor appointments, and levies fines for late filing.
- Issues certified copies, share lagat (shareholder records) and other extracts on request.
- Handles mergers, conversions (private to public), liquidation and the deregistration of companies, including filings connected with the Insolvency Act 2063.
It does not issue tax numbers (that is the Inland Revenue Department), industry licences (the Department of Industry) or trademarks (also the Department of Industry). Knowing which office does what saves a lot of wasted trips.
OCR services online and in person
| Service | How it is done | Our related guide |
|---|---|---|
| New company registration | Online through CAMIS; digital certificate | Registering a company step by step |
| Name reservation | Online through CAMIS (free) | Checking name availability |
| Login and account help | Online | OCR login and CAMIS troubleshooting |
| Fees | Paid online after approval | Current OCR fee schedule |
| Annual return and audited accounts | Online filing | Yearly compliance and late fines |
| Certified copies and share lagat | Request through the portal or the office | Company records and search |
Where is the Office of Company Registrar?
The OCR's office is in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, and it follows government office hours. Because registration and most filings are now online, a visit is mainly needed for specific matters such as hearings on objections, some certified documents or resolving account problems the portal cannot fix.
Before visiting, check the notices on ocr.gov.np: the office publishes deadlines, holiday closures and changes to procedures there. Bring the company's registration number, the relevant board or AGM decision and identification for the person attending, plus an authority letter if you are not a director.
How to get things done at the OCR without delays
- 1
Check the requirement first
Read the relevant section of the Companies Act 2063 or the OCR notice so you know exactly what document or decision is needed.
- 2
Make documents consistent
Names, citizenship numbers, capital figures and dates must match across the MOA, AOA, minutes and application. Most queries come from mismatches.
- 3
File early
Avoid the weeks before deadlines, when the portal is busiest and replies take longer.
- 4
Respond to queries promptly
OCR officers raise comments in the system. Files that sit unanswered can expire and must be resubmitted.
- 5
Keep receipts
Download every certificate, receipt and approval and store them with the company's statutory records.
When to use a company registration consultant
Plenty of founders register a simple company themselves. Professional help is worth it when there are foreign shareholders, several classes of shares, a regulated sector, a tight deadline or a history of missed filings. In those cases the cost of a returned file or a late fine is usually higher than the fee.
Our team files with the OCR for clients regularly and handles the steps around it — our company registration service covers incorporation, PAN/VAT and the ward and bank steps in one engagement.
A short history of the Office of Company Registrar
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Magh 2049 BS | The Company Registrar's Office was established under the then Ministry of Industry. |
| 2063 BS (2006) | The Companies Act 2063 set out the Office of Company Registrar as the authority that registers and administers companies — private, public, not-for-profit and foreign companies' branches. |
| 25 Magh 2069 BS | The OCR started online applications and online documentation. |
| Shrawan 2081 BS | Company filings moved to CAMIS, with digitally signed, QR-coded certificates. |
Although its jurisdiction is nationwide, the OCR operates from a single office in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.
Key takeaways
- OCR means Office of Company Registrar — कम्पनी रजिष्ट्रारको कार्यालय — not optical character recognition.
- It registers companies and keeps their records; tax, industry and trademark matters belong to other offices.
- Most services are online through CAMIS at ocr.gov.np; the physical office is in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.
- Consistent documents and early filing avoid most OCR queries and delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of OCR in Nepal?
OCR stands for Office of Company Registrar (कम्पनी रजिष्ट्रारको कार्यालय), the government office that registers and regulates companies.
What is the full form of CRO?
In Nepal, CRO is used informally for the Company Registrar's Office — the same institution as the OCR.
Is the company registration office the same as the OCR?
Yes. “Company registration office”, “company register office” and “company registrar office” all refer to the Office of Company Registrar.
Does the OCR register sole proprietorships and partnerships?
No. Private and partnership firms are registered with the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection or the local government. See our guide to registering a firm vs a company.
Do I need to visit the OCR to register a company?
Not usually. Registration is done online through CAMIS and the certificate is issued digitally.
How do I contact the OCR?
Use the contact details and helpdesk numbers published on ocr.gov.np, or visit the office in Tripureshwor during working hours.
Sources and official references
- Office of Company Registrar, Government of Nepal
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies
- Companies Act 2063 — Nepal Law Commission
Government fees and rules change with each Finance Act and OCR/IRD notice. We re-check the figures on this page regularly; confirm the latest amount with the office concerned or ask our team before you pay.