Workflow checklist
- Identify the registry. abipco.gov.ag
- Check access requirements. Account required: No. Local ID required: No.
- Plan budget. Price range: USD 0.00-19.00. Payment methods: Cash (in person), Wire transfer.
- Anticipate friction. Captcha / 2FA: Unknown. English UI: Yes.
- Plan turnaround. Expected: Instant name search; 1–3 business days for certified extracts.
- Verify recency. Last verified: 17 May 2026. Confirm current pricing at the official registry before submitting.
TL;DR. The Antigua and Barbuda Companies Registry is managed by the Intellectual Property and Commerce Office (IPCO) at ipco.gov.ag. Basic name searches are free; certified extracts cost approximately XCD 50 (~USD 19). The registry is functional and English-language. Antigua and Barbuda is an OECS member and part of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) under the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). It is not on the FATF grey list as of May 2026.
What is the official Antigua and Barbuda business registry?
The Antigua and Barbuda Companies Registry operates under the Intellectual Property and Commerce Office (IPCO), which sits within the Ministry responsible for trade and commerce. The registry administers company registration under the Companies Act (Cap. 320) and the International Business Corporations Act (IBC Act). IPCO also handles trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property matters, making it a combined IP and corporate registry authority.
Antigua and Barbuda is one of the six OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) members that share the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) as their monetary authority. This common monetary and regulatory framework means that company law, AML/CFT standards, and banking supervision have a regional dimension: the ECCB’s supervisory framework for financial institutions applies across the currency union, including Antigua and Barbuda.
The IPCO portal at ipco.gov.ag provides online access to company name search, with more detailed records and certified extracts available through the physical office in St. John’s, Antigua. The registry covers domestic companies (limited liability companies, companies limited by guarantee, unlimited companies), partnerships, business names, and international business corporations (IBCs) registered for offshore purposes.
What can you search?
The IPCO online portal supports company name searches for entities registered in Antigua and Barbuda. Results typically include:
- Company name and registration number
- Date of incorporation
- Company type (domestic company, IBC, partnership)
- Current status (active, struck off, dissolved, in liquidation)
Detailed records, including director names, shareholder lists, registered office address, and filing history, are generally available through the physical registry office or via certified extracts. Online access to granular entity data is more limited than in larger jurisdictions; for compliance-grade information, requesting a certified extract from IPCO directly is the recommended approach.
Data freshness depends on filing processing timelines, which at the IPCO have historically been measured in days to weeks rather than real-time. Routine status updates from annual return filings may lag behind actual corporate events.
How much does it cost?
| Item | Cost (XCD) | Cost (USD, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Online company name search | XCD 0 | USD 0 |
| Certified extract / status certificate | XCD 50–100 | ~USD 19–37 |
| IBC incorporation (government fee) | XCD 300+ | ~USD 111+ |
| Business name registration | XCD 50–100 | ~USD 19–37 |
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is pegged to the USD at XCD 2.70 = USD 1.00 (a fixed peg maintained since 1976). XCD 50 is approximately USD 18.52; XCD 100 is approximately USD 37.04. Verify fees directly with IPCO before any transaction, as the fee schedule is subject to amendment under the Companies (Fees) Regulations.
Do you need a local account or ID?
No local account or Antiguan identity document is required for basic online name searches through the IPCO portal. For certified extracts and more detailed filings access, in-person visits or formal written requests to the IPCO office are typically required, with no Antiguan ID needed for foreign requesters. Registered agents and law firms in Antigua frequently handle extract requests on behalf of foreign compliance buyers.
Is the website in English?
Yes. English is the official language of Antigua and Barbuda, and all IPCO registry materials, search interfaces, and communications are in English. Company names, filings, and official documents are all in English.
What’s the turnaround time?
Online name searches return results immediately. Certified extracts and detailed company information requests to the IPCO physical office in St. John’s typically take 1–3 business days under normal conditions. Requests with complex histories or older records may take longer. For urgent due diligence, engaging a local attorney or registered corporate service provider in Antigua is the most reliable approach, as they can liaise directly with the registry.
Is there an API?
No public API is available from IPCO for programmatic company data access as of May 2026. The IPCO portal provides only web-based search functionality. Compliance platforms requiring systematic Antigua and Barbuda entity lookups should engage a local service provider or use a global aggregator that indexes IPCO data (with the understanding that aggregator data lags official records).
What you legally cannot do
Antigua and Barbuda’s Data Protection Act 2013 governs the use of personal data, including director and officer names found in registry records. The IPCO terms of use and applicable law prohibit:
- Automated bulk scraping of IPCO registry records for commercial redistribution
- Using personal data from registry records for unsolicited marketing or profiling
- Misrepresenting uncertified online search results as certified official documents for legal or regulatory submissions
For IBC-related beneficial ownership: Antigua and Barbuda enacted the Beneficial Ownership (Automatic Exchange of Information) Act 2017 (amended 2024), which requires licensed registered agents to maintain and report UBO data. This register is held by licensed agents and accessible to competent authorities, not the general public. Requesting UBO declarations directly from the counterparty or their registered agent is the appropriate compliance approach.
For general cross-border due diligence principles, see the Global Business Due Diligence Guide.
Practical tips for foreign compliance buyers
- XCD is pegged to USD. The Eastern Caribbean dollar has been fixed at XCD 2.70 = USD 1.00 since 1976. Budget in USD at this conversion rate with no exchange rate risk.
- Two company tracks: domestic vs. IBC. Domestic companies operate under the Companies Act and can conduct business within Antigua and Barbuda. International Business Corporations (IBCs) are intended for non-resident owners and offshore use; they generally cannot conduct business locally. Knowing which track your counterparty is on tells you the intended scope of operations.
- UBO data is not public. Antigua and Barbuda’s beneficial ownership register is maintained by licensed registered agents and is not publicly searchable. For AML/KYC purposes, request UBO declarations directly from the counterparty or their registered agent.
- OECS and ECCB regulatory context. As an OECS/ECCU member, Antigua and Barbuda’s banking and financial services sector is supervised partly at the regional level through the ECCB. OECS member states have harmonised aspects of their company law under the OECS Model Companies Act framework, though domestic legislation varies by country. The regional regulator for financial services is the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC).
- FATF status: not grey-listed. Antigua and Barbuda is not on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring as of May 2026. It is a CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) member. Check fatf-gafi.org for current status.
- Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). The FSRC regulates banks, insurance companies, international financial services, and securities in Antigua and Barbuda. If your counterparty is in financial services, check the FSRC register at fsrc.gov.ag in addition to the IPCO company registry.
- Registered agents for IBC due diligence. Every IBC in Antigua and Barbuda must maintain a registered agent. The registered agent is the primary point of contact for UBO data and corporate records. Local law firms and trust companies (listed on the FSRC register) can handle extract requests and due diligence inquiries efficiently.
Alternatives if you cannot access IPCO directly
- OpenCorporates: Indexes some Antigua and Barbuda company data; coverage is limited for IBCs and may lag official records considerably. Use for indicative name checks only, not compliance-grade verification.
- Local law firms and CSPs: Firms such as those listed on the Antigua Bar Association and the FSRC registry can pull certified extracts and conduct due diligence efficiently for foreign buyers.
Local data suppliers
Antigua and Barbuda does not host a major independent commercial credit bureau. For credit risk assessment, the most practical approach is to engage a regional law firm with Caribbean practice (several Eastern Caribbean firms have offices across multiple OECS jurisdictions) or a global trade credit insurer that covers small Caribbean markets. The Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce (antiguachamber.com) is the primary business community body and can assist with trade references and member verification.
FAQ
Can a foreign company search the Antigua and Barbuda registry directly?
Yes. The IPCO online search is accessible internationally without registration. Certified extracts require formal requests to the IPCO office (in person or in writing), which can be arranged through a local agent or law firm without requiring a foreign buyer to be present.
What is an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?
An International Business Corporation (IBC) is an offshore company structure registered under the International Business Corporations Act. IBCs are designed for non-resident owners, are exempt from Antiguan income taxes on non-Antiguan income, and cannot conduct business within Antigua and Barbuda. They are commonly used for holding, investment, and international trading purposes. Post-2017 amendments strengthened beneficial ownership disclosure requirements for IBCs.
Does Antigua and Barbuda have a public UBO registry?
No. The beneficial ownership register is non-public. Under the Beneficial Ownership (Automatic Exchange of Information) Act 2017 and subsequent amendments, licensed registered agents must maintain UBO data and report it to the competent authority. The register is accessible to law enforcement and tax authorities but not to the general public. For compliance purposes, request UBO declarations directly from the counterparty.
Is Antigua and Barbuda on the FATF grey list?
No. Antigua and Barbuda is not on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring as of May 2026. It is a CFATF member and participates in the Caribbean AML/CFT mutual evaluation process. Verify current status at fatf-gafi.org.
What is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) conversion rate?
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate of XCD 2.70 = USD 1.00. This peg has been maintained since 1976 by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). There is no exchange rate risk in USD-XCD transactions. All eight ECCB member territories use the XCD: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Anguilla.
What types of entities are registered with IPCO?
IPCO registers: companies limited by shares (private and public), companies limited by guarantee, unlimited companies, partnerships, business names, and International Business Corporations (IBCs). External company registrations (foreign branches) are also registered. The registry covers both the island of Antigua and the dependency of Barbuda.
Last verified: May 2026. Sources: Intellectual Property and Commerce Office of Antigua and Barbuda (ipco.gov.ag); Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (eccb-centralbank.org); Financial Services Regulatory Commission Antigua (fsrc.gov.ag); FATF Antigua and Barbuda country page (fatf-gafi.org). For the full global due diligence framework, see our Global Business Due Diligence Guide.