TCSP Authorisation 

The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010 (CJA2010) contains provisions requiring any person wishing to carry on the business of a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) to obtain an authorisation to do so from the Minister for Justice and Equality. From 3 March 2014, the power to authorise TCSPs that are subsidiaries of credit or financial institutions will transfer to the Central Bank of Ireland.

What is a “trust or company service provider”?

“Trust or company service provider” means any person whose business it is to provide any of the following services:

  1. forming companies or other bodies corporate;
  2. acting as a director or secretary of a company under an arrangement with a person other than the company;
  3. arranging for another person to act as a director or secretary of a company;
  4. acting, or arranging for a person to act, as a partner of a partnership;
  5. providing a registered office, business address, correspondence or administrative address or other related services for a body corporate or partnership;
  6. acting, or arranging for another person to act, as a trustee of a trust
  7. acting, or arranging for another person to act, as a nominee shareholder for a person other than a company whose securities are listed on a regulated market.

Authorisation process for TCSPs which are subsidiaries of credit or financial institutions

The Central Bank of Ireland (the 'Central Bank') is the competent authority in Ireland for the authorisation of TCSPs, which are subsidiaries of credit or financial institutions.

The Central Bank welcomes applications from TCSPs that are subsidiaries of credit or financial institutions within the meaning of the CJA2010. Firms are advised to seek legal advice if in any doubt about whether they require an authorisation.

To apply for authorisation, please complete the form below and submit it in the manner indicated on the form.

TCSP Application Form | doc 678 KB TCSP Application Guidance | pdf 715 KB

Each application must be accompanied by a fee of €130. Please see the application form for further details.

Post-authorisation changes

Any changes to the following details must be communicated to the Central Bank through the online Portal without delay. Please note that any emails requesting post-authorisation changes sent to [email protected] will be redirected to the Portal.

  • Additional TCSP Services Offered
  • Change in Direct Ownership
  • Change in Indirect Ownership 
  • Change of Address 
  • Change of Director
  • Change of Legal Name
  • Change of Principle Officer
  • Change of Trading Name
  • Change to Contact
  • Discontinuation of TCSP Services Offered
  • Other Material Changes 

For information to access the Portal, please see further guidance.

Once registered, the selected Portal Administrator for the TCSP must submit their name and user code received at the point of registration to [email protected].

Other TCSP’s

All TCSPs that are not subsidiaries of credit or financial institutions should continue to apply for authorisation to the Department of Justice and Equality the contact details of which are set out below:

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Unit,
Department of Justice,
Floor 2,
51 St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin 2

Telephone: 01-602 8400

Email: [email protected]