Online Access to the Commercial Register
The Commercial Register of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic is available online at Justice.cz. Simply enter the name of the business entity, its identification number, or the file number under which it was entered into the Commercial Register. You can access all the details free of charge and without having to register. You can then click through and review all the details, or download and even print them right away.
Valid vs. Complete Extract
There are two types of extracts available—valid (or current) and complete. A current extract provides only the information that is valid as of the date of the search in the Commercial Register. The complete extract, on the other hand, contains all data that has ever been entered into the registry. In a complete extract, you can find, among other things, changes to the company’s registered office, governing bodies, or owners and co-owners.
In practice, we often see that people download only the current extract before signing a contract and are satisfied that the company exists and has a registered managing director. For more significant business partnerships, however, it pays to also review the complete extract and the collection of documents. From the history of changes, you can identify, for example, frequent changes in managing directors, relocations of the registered office, or changes in the ownership structure—which may not be a problem in and of themselves but could signal the need for a more thorough legal review.
Real-life example: An online extract wasn’t enough
A client asked us to conduct a quick review of a company with which he was about to enter into a framework agreement for long-term supplies. Everything looked fine on the current extract—the company existed, had a registered office, and a statutory body. Only a complete extract and a review of related documents revealed that both the managing director and the company’s registered office had changed several times in recent months.
This wasn’t automatically proof of fraud, but it was a reason to adjust the contractual safeguards, set a shorter payment term, and include clearer liability provisions. It is precisely these details that can determine whether a routine business partnership turns into a problem that is difficult to resolve.
As an example, we’ve included the introduction to the full extract for the company ČEZ —you can view the entire document on the Commercial Register’s website. Just for fun—you’d have 77 pages of information to review.
Are you solving a similar problem?
We'll help you with the documentation and registration
Do you need to prepare the necessary documents for registration? Or are you wondering how to file or amend the required changes? We’ll help you with everything. With us, you can be sure that the registration will go smoothly and on the first try.
I want to help with registration
- When you order, you know what you will get and how much it will cost.
- We handle everything online or in person at one of our 6 offices.
- We handle 8 out of 10 requests within 2 working days.
- We have specialists for every field of law.
Commercial Register Extract
We’ve already mentioned that you can obtain an extract from the Commercial Register directly on the website. This extract is sufficient if you simply need to check another company and its history, find out its registered office and entity identification number, or verify that your entry has been correctly recorded in the registry. An extract obtained from the website that you print yourself is for informational purposes only and cannot be used for official requests. In such cases, you will need a certified copy.
If you’re unsure whether an informational extract is sufficient for a specific matter or if you need a certified document, it’s worth verifying the requirements in advance. When dealing with banks, investors, tenders, or share transfers, an incorrect type of extract can delay the entire process. We’ll help you determine which document you’ll need and verify that the information in the registry matches the company’s actual status.
If a digital copy is sufficient for your needs, simply download the PDF from the Justice.cz website or request that it be sent to your data box. The file contains an electronic court stamp verifying its validity. However, this applies only if the document remains in electronic form.
It’s important to monitor the Commercial Register. The information it contains isn’t static—it changes over time. You, too, can request the deletion of certain information.
Have you discovered that the Commercial Register lists an old registered office, an outdated executive, or a missing document in the collection of deeds? This is not just a formality. An outdated entry can complicate dealings with banks, business partners, and government agencies. We’ll prepare a proposal to amend the entry, review the attachments, and ensure that the registry court does not reject the proposal due to errors.
Tip for article
Tip: The collection of documents is an important part of the Commercial Register. Its purpose is to store all important documents related to the establishment and ongoing operations of business entities and other entities registered in the Commercial Register. What is required by law to be disclosed, and what penalties apply for violations? You’ll find important answers in our separate article.
When is an online statement sufficient, and when do you need a certified one?
It’s not just where you get the statement that matters, but mainly what you plan to use it for. For your own reference, an online view is usually sufficient. However, if you’re submitting the statement to a bank, government agency, contracting authority, or business partner, check in advance to see if they require a certified version.
| Situation |
Is an online extract from Justice.cz sufficient? |
Is a certified extract better? |
| Quick check of a business partner |
Yes |
Usually not |
| Verification of the company ID number, registered office, or executive |
Yes |
Only if the other party requires it |
| Company history check |
Yes, ideally a complete extract |
Not necessarily |
| Opening a business bank account |
Often not |
Yes, if the bank requires it |
| Public contract or competitive bidding |
Depending on the specifications |
Often yes |
| Judicial, administrative, or formal legal proceedings |
Usually not |
Yes |
| Internal review of one’s own record |
Yes |
No, unless it is an official document |
Where to Get an Official Paper Extract
Do you need an official, printed extract from the Commercial Register? If so, simply visit the registry court or a Czech POINT branch. If you’re not in a hurry, you can also order a certified copy online on the Czech POINT website. The extract will then be sent to you cash on delivery, with a standard delivery time of approximately three business days. Anyone can request a printed copy or have a Commercial Register extract mailed to them —not just the company’s owner or an employee, but anyone else as well, even completely anonymously.
And when is an official extract needed? As a business owner, you may be asked to submit a certified extract, for example, when opening a business bank account. You can also submit the original extract you receive upon registration to the bank, and some banks will even download the extract themselves. However, you should be aware that its validity is limited (the bank may require an extract that is no older than three months). The cost of an official paper extract depends on its length. You’ll pay 100 Kč for the first page of the extract and 50 Kč for each additional page.
Avoid Mistakes and Fulfill Your Obligations
Are you setting up a company, registering it in the Commercial Register, or updating your registered information? We’d be happy to help you with the paperwork and registration to ensure everything goes smoothly from a legal standpoint. Everything is handled easily, online, tailored to your needs, and at a fixed price. We can process most cases within two business days.
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an extract from the Commercial Register valid?
There is no general, uniform validity period for the extract that applies to all situations. In practice, it depends on who is requesting it. Banks, public procurement contractors, or government agencies often require an extract that is no more than three months old.
Can anyone request an extract from the commercial register?
Yes. The Commercial Register is a public registry, so even a person who has no connection to the company in question can access it. A business partner, a bank, a competitor, or even a private individual can obtain an extract from it.
Is a transcript downloaded from Justice.cz legally valid?
An extract downloaded from Justice.cz is primarily intended for informational purposes. For official purposes, a certified extract or an electronic document with its verification elements intact is usually required. A standard PDF printed from the internet generally does not serve as a substitute for an officially certified extract.
What should you do if there is incorrect information in the Commercial Register?
First, determine whether the issue is an error in the registration, a change that was not implemented, or a missing document. After that, you will usually need to prepare a proposal to amend the registration and submit the relevant documents. For companies, we recommend addressing the correction as soon as possible, as outdated information can complicate dealings with banks, government agencies, and business partners.
What kind of statement do I need when auditing a business partner?
For a basic check, a current extract is usually sufficient. When it comes to a major contract, large sums of money, or a long-term partnership, we recommend reviewing the full extract and the collection of documents as well. This will allow you to see historical changes within the company and better assess any potential risks.
