Bahrain Company Search Guide 2026: How to Verify a Bahrain Business

TL;DR. Bahrain’s official commercial registry is SIJILAT at sijilat.bh, operated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC). SIJILAT provides full English-language access with free basic searches. Certified commercial register extracts cost BHD 1-20 (~USD 2.65-53). SIJILAT is one of the most accessible registries in the GCC for foreign compliance buyers given its English UI and relatively transparent disclosure norms. Bahrain is not on the FATF grey list as of May 2026.

What is the official Bahrain business registry?

Bahrain’s official commercial registration system is SIJILAT, operated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) at moic.gov.bh. SIJILAT at sijilat.bh functions as the unified commercial registry and business licensing portal for the Kingdom of Bahrain. The platform name derives from the Arabic word for “registration record.”

The statutory basis for commercial registration in Bahrain is the Commercial Companies Law (Decree-Law No. 21 of 2001) and its amendments, including changes introduced under Law No. 50 of 2014 and subsequent regulations. All commercial entities operating in Bahrain must register with the MoIC through SIJILAT.

SIJILAT covers:

• With Limited Liability Companies (WLL)
• Bahraini Shareholding Companies (BSC): both closed and public
• Partnership Companies (General and Limited)
• Sole Proprietorships (Individual Establishments)
• Branches and Representative Offices of Foreign Companies
• Foreign Company Subsidiary Offices
• Holding Companies

A notable distinction for compliance buyers in Bahrain: the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) supports the investment licensing framework and the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) and Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) provide free zone structures. Entities registered in Bahraini free zones are still registered through SIJILAT rather than through a separate independent registry, which is an important difference from Qatar’s QFC model.

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) at cbb.gov.bh is the financial services regulator for banks, insurance companies, investment firms, payment service providers, and fintech entities. The CBB maintains a public register of licensed financial institutions.

The Bahrain Bourse (BHB) at bahrainbourse.com maintains a register of listed companies and securities market intermediaries.

What can you search?

SIJILAT at sijilat.bh provides English-language searches by:

• Company name (Arabic or English trade name)
• Commercial Registration (CR) number
• Business activity type

A free public search returns: entity name in Arabic and English (where registered), CR number, entity type, registration date, last renewal date, and status (valid, expired, or cancelled). The registered address (at governorate level) and principal business activities are also displayed.

For enhanced access, account holders through SIJILAT or the Bahrain government’s National Portal (bahrain.bh) can access:

• Full shareholder and partner information
• Manager and director appointments
• Registered capital amount
• Complete business activity schedule
• Historical filings and amendment records

The CBB Public Register at cbb.gov.bh allows free search of licensed financial institutions by name or license type, returning license category, license number, and regulatory status. This is a separately maintained register from SIJILAT.

Data in SIJILAT is updated on a filing-event basis, with CR renewals and filed changes reflected within 1-3 business days of MoIC processing.

How much does it cost?

Prices are based on SIJILAT and MoIC fee schedules as of May 2026. BHD/USD conversion used: 1 BHD = approximately 2.65 USD (BHD is pegged to USD at 0.376). Fee schedules may change; verify at sijilat.bh before ordering.

Do you need a local account or ID?

Free public entity searches on SIJILAT require no account and no Bahraini identity document. The search function is fully accessible internationally, including to foreign compliance buyers.

For ordering standard electronic extracts, an optional SIJILAT account simplifies the process. Account registration is available to non-Bahraini users using an email address and mobile number; no national ID is required for the basic account tier. This is notably more accessible than most other GCC registry portals.

For certified physical extracts with MoIC seal, the ordering process may require either an enhanced account credential linked to Bahrain’s national identity infrastructure (CPR for Bahraini residents) or engagement with a local service provider. Foreign compliance buyers seeking apostillized documents for international banking or court use typically engage a Bahraini legal or company secretarial firm for the collection and apostillization step.

The eGovernment Authority (iGA) at iga.gov.bh oversees Bahrain’s digital government infrastructure and the credential systems that link to SIJILAT. Its involvement reflects Bahrain’s position as one of the GCC’s most digitally advanced governments for public service delivery.

Is the website in English?

SIJILAT at sijilat.bh is fully bilingual in Arabic and English. All primary navigation, search functions, results displays, and document ordering workflows are available in English. This is one of SIJILAT’s key advantages for foreign compliance buyers relative to other GCC registries.

Official certified commercial register extracts are issued in Arabic as the legally authoritative language. However, SIJILAT generates English-language summary information for online display. Foreign compliance buyers requiring full English certified documents typically commission certified translation of the Arabic-language official extract.

The Central Bank of Bahrain website (cbb.gov.bh) is fully bilingual with complete English coverage of regulatory frameworks, licensed institution lists, and supervisory guidance. The Bahrain Bourse (bahrainbourse.com) is also bilingual with full English coverage.

What’s the turnaround time?

Free public status searches are instant. Standard electronic extracts ordered through a SIJILAT account are typically processed within 1-3 business days. Physical certified extracts with official MoIC seal are available within 2-5 business days.

Apostillized documents require processing at the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs and typically add 3-5 business days. Bahrain is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention and issues apostilles through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for commercial documents.

SIJILAT’s processing turnaround is generally faster than comparable registries in Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, consistent with Bahrain’s digital government modernization program.

Is there an API?

No public API is currently available from SIJILAT for third-party compliance or data integration purposes as of May 2026. MoIC has not published developer API documentation for external access. Bahrain’s broader eGovernment framework under the iGA does include API integration standards for government services, and future public registry API availability is more plausible in Bahrain than in some other GCC jurisdictions given the digital governance maturity.

The CBB does not publish a public API for its licensed institution register. Large-scale data access for financial institutions may be arranged through supervised regulatory channels.

Bahrain participates in GCC-level regulatory and financial intelligence sharing through MENAFATF and the GCC Secretariat, but public cross-border registry API access remains unavailable.

What you legally cannot do

Bahrain’s Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 30 of 2018, PDPL) is among the more developed personal data protection frameworks in the GCC. The Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) at pdp.gov.bh is the supervisory authority. Director names, shareholder identity information, and UBO data extracted from SIJILAT records constitute personal data under the PDPL when processed by private entities. Processing requires a lawful basis, and cross-border data transfers are subject to adequacy or safeguard requirements.

Automated bulk extraction from SIJILAT is prohibited under the platform’s terms of use. Systematic data collection without MoIC authorization is also subject to Bahrain’s cybercrime provisions under Decree Law No. 60 of 2014.

Bahrain’s AML/CFT framework is governed by Decree Law No. 4 of 2001 on Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing and subsequent amendments, with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Central Bank of Bahrain as the primary authority. Bahrain is a GCC member state, a MENAFATF member, and an Egmont Group member. The CBB is the primary AML supervisor for licensed financial institutions.

Practical tips for foreign compliance buyers

• SIJILAT is the most accessible GCC registry for foreign buyers. The English-language interface and relatively open account registration make SIJILAT easier to navigate than Qatar’s MOCI, Kuwait’s MOCI portal, or Saudi Arabia’s MoCI for initial compliance screening. Budget less time for Bahrain entity verification than for comparable GCC jurisdictions.
• Bahrain’s registry is comparatively transparent within the GCC. While UBO data is not publicly disclosed, SIJILAT’s shareholder and director data in certified extracts is more consistently available than in some neighboring registries. This reflects Bahrain’s positioning as an international financial services center.
• Cross-reference CBB for financial sector counterparties. Banks, investment firms, insurance companies, money changers, and payment service providers require CBB licenses. The CBB public register at cbb.gov.bh is free, fully in English, and authoritative. Always verify CBB license status in addition to SIJILAT commercial registration for financial sector due diligence.
• Bahrain has a relatively developed PDPL. Compared to Kuwait (no standalone PDPL as of May 2026) and Qatar (PDPL Law No. 13/2016), Bahrain’s PDPL is better developed with an active supervisory authority. Data processors handling Bahraini personal data in compliance workflows should assess PDPL obligations, particularly for cross-border transfer scenarios.
• Kuwait Financial Transparency Zone (BIIP/BLZ) entities are still SIJILAT-registered. Unlike QFC in Qatar, Bahrain’s free zone entities (BIIP, BLZ) remain in the same SIJILAT commercial registry. No separate parallel search is required for free zone entities.
• Kuwait is not on the FATF grey list, and neither is Bahrain. For a GCC-wide compliance picture, consult our Global Business Due Diligence Guide which covers cross-jurisdictional UBO frameworks and FATF compliance.

Alternatives if you cannot access SIJILAT directly

• OpenCorporates has some Bahrain SIJILAT data but coverage lags official data and certified document retrieval is not available. Useful for quick name-checking only.
• Central Bank of Bahrain (cbb.gov.bh): Free, English, authoritative list of licensed financial institutions. Essential secondary check for financial sector counterparties.
• Bahrain Bourse (bahrainbourse.com): Free public access to listed company disclosure documents, ownership structure announcements, and financial statements for Bahraini public shareholding companies.
• Local Bahraini law firms and company secretarial firms: Routinely obtain SIJILAT certified extracts and apostillized documents for foreign clients. Several international law firm affiliates operate in Manama.

Local data suppliers

• Dun & Bradstreet Bahrain (dnb.com). D&B covers Bahrain as part of its GCC regional offering. English-language company reports with D-U-N-S numbers combine SIJILAT commercial data with financial indicators, payment behavior, and risk scoring. Used by multinationals conducting counterparty KYC and supplier due diligence in Bahrain.
• CRIF Gulf (crif.com). Regional operation of CRIF S.p.A. covering Bahrain and the GCC. Provides business information reports, creditworthiness assessment, and AML compliance screening with strong GCC-wide coverage. Bahrain’s position as a regional financial center gives CRIF Gulf relatively deeper data coverage in Bahrain compared to smaller or less financially integrated GCC markets.

Use SIJILAT for official registry verification and legal standing. Use commercial data suppliers when you need payment behavior, financial risk scoring, or packaged English-language reports.

FAQ

Can a foreign company access the Bahrain registry directly?

Yes. SIJILAT at sijilat.bh is publicly accessible internationally with a full English interface. Free status searches require no account. An optional SIJILAT account (requiring email and mobile number only) enables standard electronic extract ordering. Certified physical extracts with apostillization typically require engagement with a local Bahraini agent or law firm.

What is the Commercial Registration (CR) number in Bahrain?

The Commercial Registration (CR) number is assigned by MoIC at the time of SIJILAT registration. It is the primary unique identifier for all SIJILAT-registered entities in Bahrain. The CR number appears on all government documents, contracts, and regulatory filings. It must be cited in annual renewal applications, change filings, and license applications with other government bodies including the CBB and Ministry of Finance.

What entity types are registered with SIJILAT?

SIJILAT registers sole proprietorships, with limited liability companies (WLL), Bahraini shareholding companies (BSC closed and public), general and limited partnerships, holding companies, and foreign company branches and representative offices. Financial institutions require additional licensing from the Central Bank of Bahrain. Listed companies are additionally regulated by the Capital Markets Supervision Directorate. Free zone entities (BIIP, BLZ) are registered through SIJILAT rather than separate free zone registries.

Does Bahrain have a beneficial ownership (UBO) registry?

Bahrain does not have a publicly searchable UBO registry as of May 2026. AML Decree Law No. 4/2001 and subsequent CBB regulations require financial institutions and DNFBPs to collect and verify UBO information as part of customer due diligence, consistent with FATF Recommendations 24 and 25. This data is held by regulated entities and the FIU rather than disclosed in a public register. Bahrain’s UBO framework transparency is below EU/UK norms but is regarded as among the more developed in the GCC, given the CBB’s active supervisory role and Bahrain’s Egmont Group membership.

How current is the data in SIJILAT?

SIJILAT reflects data as of the most recent filed change and annual CR renewal. Annual CR renewal is mandatory, and recently renewed entries provide higher confidence in data currency. The online system processes filings within 1-3 business days of MoIC receipt. Given SIJILAT’s more active digital filing ecosystem relative to some GCC neighbors, data currency tends to be more reliable for Bahraini entities than for registries with lower digital adoption rates.

Is Bahrain on the FATF grey list?

No. Bahrain is not on the FATF grey list or the FATF High-Risk Jurisdictions list as of May 2026. Bahrain is a FATF member state and MENAFATF member, and is also a member of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, reflecting its engagement with the international AML/CFT architecture. For current status and mutual evaluation details, verify at fatf-gafi.org.

What is the difference between SIJILAT and the CBB register?

SIJILAT is the commercial registration system covering all business entities in Bahrain regardless of sector, operated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) Register is a separate, sector-specific register of entities licensed to conduct regulated financial activities in Bahrain, including banking, insurance, investment, and payment services. An entity in the financial sector must be registered in both: SIJILAT for its commercial existence and the CBB Register for its operational license. The CBB register is the authoritative source for financial institution licensing status and is a necessary secondary check for any financial sector counterparty in Bahrain.

Last verified: May 2026. Source: SIJILAT, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bahrain (sijilat.bh), Central Bank of Bahrain (cbb.gov.bh), eGovernment Authority Bahrain (iga.gov.bh), FATF (fatf-gafi.org). For the full global due diligence framework, see our Global Business Due Diligence Guide.