Updated online registration form now live
An updated version of the online charity registration application form is now live and can be accessed via the green box in the Register your charity section of the Commission’s website.
As with the previous form, only organisations which have been called forward by the Commission to apply for registration will be able to access the form.
Organisations called forward before 3 June 2016 should contact the Commission on admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk to be provided with an email containing a link which they can use to receive a new password. Organisations called forward after 3 June should use the password they receive in their call forward email.
Passwords issued to organisations before 3 June 2016 to provide access to Online services (OLS) will no longer work following the update. Existing OLS users can issue themselves with a new password to access to the system by clicking on the “Forgotten Your Password” icon and entering your charity’s NIC number (numbers only). You will then be provided with an email containing a link to reset your password.
Please note that only charities registered with the Commission are able to access OLS.
While it is designed to be more accessible and intuitive, the enhanced form is fundamentally the same as the previous form in terms of content. The same information and documents are being requested and only the look and the flow/format of the questions will change, supporting applicants in applying for registration.
The Commission’s registration guidance, including application screenshots, has also been updated to reflect changes made to the form. You can access all the Commission’s registration guidance by clicking here.
However, if you have been preparing for registration using previous guidance, please note that, as the information requested is fundamentally the same as previously, earlier versions of our guidance will have provided important and relevant support.
Applications in progress or already submitted
In order to minimise the impact of the change on organisations which have already been called forward to register, the Commission previously issued public alerts and direct emails to notify applicants of the pending update.
This included encouraging applicants to submit their registration application as soon as possible or, if unable to submit prior to the update, to print or save a copy of the information for use in a new application.
Organisations were advised that applications that were begun but not submitted on or before 27 May 2016 would be lost and the organisations would have to begin their application again, using the updated form.
With the update now live, any information which was started but not submitted on the previous form is no longer available and the applicant will have to begin a new application using the enhanced form.
Applications which were submitted on the previous form, prior to the update going live, have been received by the Commission and will not be affected by the update.
To access the Commission’s frequently asked questions and answers relating to the update, please click here.
Alternatively, if you have a further query which is not answered in our FAQs, you can contact the Commission by email to admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk
The Commission asks that you use this method of contact in the first instance. However, you may also contact us using the details below.
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
257 Lough Road
Lurgan
Craigavon
BT66 6NQ
If you need to speak to someone over the phone you can call the Commission on 028 3832 0220 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except public holidays. You can also contact us by fax on 028 3834 5943.
ENDS