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NGO registration in São Tomé and Príncipe

Directorate-General of Registries and Notary (Direcção Geral dos Registos e do Notariado) - Ministry of Justice (DGRN)

Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights (Ministério da Justiça, Administração Pública e Direitos Humanos)

Official website Online portal
On dgrn.gov.st:DGRN home About DGRN Notarial acts for legal entities (association constitution) Contact Citizen Portal

Overview

The DGRN is the central State service for registries and notary, with administrative and financial autonomy and nationwide jurisdiction, within the Ministry of Justice. Its Notary Office (Cartório Notarial) draws up the public deeds that constitute associations, cooperatives, federations and foundations. Its central registries and One-Stop Shop (Guiché Único) handle legal-entity registration.

VisionTo be a public service provider of excellence, with integrated, effective and efficient management of resources, a modern and reliable information system, and specialised, competent and motivated staff.
MissionTo direct, guide and coordinate the civil status and nationality registry, civil identification, the land, commercial and movable property registries, and the notary services.
Laws it works underDecree-Law No. 07/2017 of 8 June 2017 approving the Organic and Staff Statute of the Registries and Notary

How it works

Associations, cooperatives and federations are constituted by notarial deed at the DGRN Notary Office. Founders bring their identity documents, the founding minutes, the statutes, a name admissibility certificate and the list of founding members. An association needs 10 or more founding members. Foundations follow a separate route. They also need a credential from the relevant ministry, authorisation from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (issued by its Office of Studies and Policy) and proof of their endowment. The DGRN's central services (Central Registries, the Civil and Criminal Identification Centre and the One-Stop Shop for business creation) consolidate and archive registry information. The DGRN website does not describe any separate NGO approval, annual reporting or renewal requirement.

Services

Constitution of associations, cooperatives and federationsNotarial deed of constitution at the Notary Office; associations need at least 10 founders.
Constitution of foundationsNotarial deed for foundations, with ministry credential and Ministry of Justice authorisation.
Name admissibility certificateCertificate confirming the proposed legal-entity name can be used, required for constitution.
Commercial registry / One-Stop Shop (GUE)Registration of legal entities through the One-Stop Shop.
Online servicesOnline requests for criminal record certificates, civil registry certificates and ID card renewal.

How to register an NGO in São Tomé and Príncipe

  1. Obtain a name admissibility certificate (certidão de admissibilidade de firmas)
  2. Hold the founding meeting and approve the founding minutes (acta constitutiva) and statutes
  3. Gather ID/passport/residence card of founders (at least 10 for an association) and the list of founding members
  4. Sign the deed of constitution at the DGRN Notary Office and pay the notarial fee

Fees published by the regulator

Deed of constitution of cooperatives, federations and associations600.00 Dbs (normal); 780.00 Dbs (urgent)
Deed of constitution of foundations2,000.00 Dbs (normal); 2,600.00 Dbs (urgent)

Requirements and fees change. Always confirm on the official website before applying.

Leadership

Ministry leadership

Ivete Santos Lima CorreiaMinister of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights

As listed on the official website when checked on 1 November 2026.