Are you an entrepreneur and have you heard of the kbis document without really knowing what it is? You are in the right place! In this article, we will explain in detail what the kbis is, why it is essential for your business, how to obtain it and how to read it.
What is the kbis?
This is probably the first question you ask yourself. The kbis is a legal document which certifies the legal existence of a company. It is a sort of identity card for your company, issued by the registry of the commercial court during the registration of your company in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS).
Le kbis contains a lot of information about your company: the company name, the identification number (SIREN), the legal status, the address of the head office, the amount of share capital, the name of the manager, the commercial activity carried out, etc. .
Why is the kbis essential for your business?
Now that you know what the kbis is, we will explain why this document is so important for your business.
The kbis is the only official proof of the legal existence of your company. Without this document, your business does not exist in the eyes of the law. In addition, this document is often requested when creating a professional bank account, when establishing commercial contracts or to obtain state subsidies.
In addition, the kbis is a public document. This means that anyone can request to consult a company's kbis. It is a way for your customers, your suppliers or your partners to verify that your company is well registered with the RCS and that it is in good standing.
How to obtain the kbis?
You are probably wondering how to obtain this precious document. Do not panic, the steps are simple!
When creating your business, the registry of the commercial court will automatically issue you a kbis once your business is registered with the RCS. You will then receive this document by post to the address of your registered office.
If you need a kbis extract later, you can request it online on the commercial court registry website. The demand pays off, but the cost remains relatively low.
How to read the kbis?
The kbis contains a lot of information about your company. It is therefore important to know how to read it.
At the top of the document, you will find the legal name of your company, its address, its identification number (SIREN) and its legal status. Then you will find information on the manager of the company, the amount of share capital and the commercial activity carried out.
At the bottom of the document, you will see if your company has been the subject of collective proceedings (judicial reorganization, judicial liquidation, etc.) or deregistration from the RCS.
The kbis for auto-entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises
Are you self-employed or do you run a micro-enterprise? You may be wondering if you need a kbis. The answer is yes !
Just like other forms of companies, auto-entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises must be registered with the RCS and have a kbis. This document attests to the legality of your activity and allows you to establish commercial contracts, open a professional bank account, etc.
Finally, don't forget that the kbis is a public document. It is therefore important to keep it up to date to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. You can request a new kbis extract online at any time, if you have changed your company information or if you have lost your kbis.
In short, the kbis is an essential document for all companies. It attests to your legal existence, allows you to establish commercial relations and reassures your customers, your suppliers and your partners. So don't wait any longer, register your company with the RCS and get your kbis!
Renewal and validity of the kbis
You are certainly wondering how long your kbis is valid for and how to renew it. This is what we will cover in this section.
The period of validity of the kbis is not engraved in stone. In fact, this document has no official validity period. However, for certain administrative or commercial procedures, you may be asked to provide a kbis of less than three months. It is therefore advisable to update your kbis regularly so that it always reflects the current situation of your company.
Regarding the renewal of your kbis, the procedure is the same as for the initial application. You must go to the website of the commercial court registry and make a new request for a kbis extract. As for the first request, this approach is chargeable, but at a relatively modest cost.
Remember that each change in the situation of your business, whether it is a change in the address of the registered office, a capital increase or a change of manager, must be declared to the registry of the commercial court. This information will then be updated on your kbis.
The kbis for foreign companies
Foreign companies carrying out a commercial activity in France must also be registered with the Trade and Companies Register and obtain a kbis.
This applies to branches of foreign companies, but also to foreign companies that have created a subsidiary in France. These companies must therefore take the same steps as French companies to obtain their kbis.
The kbis of a foreign company contains the same information as that of a French company, with some additional specificities. For example, the kbis of a subsidiary of a foreign company mentions the name of the parent company.
Finally, keep in mind that the kbis is a public document. This means that anyone can request to consult the kbis of a company, whether French or foreign. It is a way for your customers, your suppliers or your partners to verify that your company is well registered with the RCS and that it is in good standing.
Conclusion
It is clear that the kbis is a valuable document for any company, whether micro-enterprise, auto-entrepreneur, French or foreign company. This document attests to your legal existence, is necessary for many administrative and commercial procedures, and reassures your customers, suppliers and partners.
Through this article, we have tried to provide you with all the information relating to the kbis, its meaning, its importance, how to obtain it, read it and renew it. We hope that this information will be useful to you and will help you in setting up and managing your business.
Finally, do not forget that the kbis is a public document and that it is recommended to keep it up to date. Any change concerning your company must be declared to the registry of the commercial court to update your kbis.
In short, the kbis is more than a simple document, it is proof of your legal existence and a sign of transparency towards your customers, your suppliers and your partners. So don't wait any longer, register your company with the RCS and get your kbis!
