Paper filing is the traditional method of submitting physical documents to the Companies Registration Office for company incorporation and compliance filings that lack full electronic support. Whilst digital submission via CORE is preferred, paper filing ensures statutory requirements are met for specific forms or corrections, maintaining legal validity.
Paper filing is the process of submitting physical printed documents to the Companies Registration Office (CRO) for company-related statutory requirements. Whilst most modern filings occur electronically through the CORE portal, paper filing remains essential for specific forms, corrections, or circumstances where digital submission proves impractical.
You encounter paper filing when handling legacy forms, complex attachments, or urgent corrections that bypass online systems. The CRO requires original signatures on certain documents, such as director consents or share transfer stamps, necessitating postal submission. This method, though slower, upholds legal validity for incorporation documents like Form A1 amendments or historical records.
For Irish startups, understanding paper filing prevents compliance delays. It bridges gaps in digital infrastructure, ensuring your change of registered office or director updates reach the registry accurately despite processing backlogs.
Electronic filing via CORE offers instant submission, validation, and faster processing, often within days. Paper filing requires printing, signing, posting, and manual CRO entry, extending timelines to weeks with risks of postal loss or errors.
Electronic methods reduce costs and errors through auto-population, whilst paper suits scenarios needing original wet-ink signatures or scanned originals. Both achieve compliance, but digital prioritises efficiency for routine tasks like subsequent annual returns.
Paper filing applies to forms lacking CORE support, such as certain B series amendments or historical corrections. It also covers documents requiring Revenue stamping, like share transfers, before CRO lodgement. Urgent validations or appeals occasionally revert to paper protocols.
Paper filings incur standard CRO fees plus postage, without digital discounts. Processing takes 10-15 working days post-receipt, versus 2-5 for electronic. Track submissions via recorded delivery to evidence compliance dates during audits.
Postal delays or losses risk missing statutory deadlines, triggering late fees or strike-off notices. Manual entry errors by CRO staff necessitate resubmissions. Always retain proof of posting and follow up via public records.
Print forms double-sided where permitted, attach required schedules, and obtain wet-ink signatures from authorised directors. Include filing fees via cheque or postal order. Use A4 envelopes with tracking for secure delivery to CRO's Dublin address.
The CRO encourages electronic filing through CORE expansion, reducing paper reliance. However, certain validations and legacy processes persist, ensuring paper filing's niche role whilst digital dominates routine compliance.
