Portal FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most common questions about the portal and document submissions. If you don't find your answer, please contact us at c2@caymanenterprisecity.com

EXPLANATION OF REQUIRED LETTERS

WHAT IS A BANK/CHARACTER REFERENCE LETTER?

SEZA requires either:

(a) A bank letter addressed to SEZA confirming a banking relationship of at least six months and that the account is in good standing. For a sample letter, refer the ‘Sample/Template Documents’ at the bottom of the page.

(b) A professional reference if a bank letter isn't possible. The professional reference (sample here) should be addressed to SEZA, confirm a relationship of at least three years, and be written by an independent lawyer, accountant, financial advisor, or senior manager in a regulated financial service firm.

All reference letters must be addressed to the Special Economic Zones Authority, as follows:

Special Economic Zones Authority
Government Administrative Building
133 Elgin Ave, Suite 126
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands KY1-9000
PROOF OF ADDRESS LETTERS
Proof of Address must be a document linked to the regular delivery of a utility/service at a fixed address. Therefore, a mobile phone bill is insufficient, but a fixed line phone bill is acceptable.

If the person is not able to provide such a document, alternative options include:
- A certified copy of a credit card statement that is in the person’s name
- A certified copy of a residential lease that is in the person’s name
Finally, the following can be used if the person also does not have credit card statement or residential lease in their name:
- A sworn Affidavit of Residence (please see ‘Sample/Template Documents’ section at the bottom of the page)
- A Letter of Address Confirmation (please see ‘Sample/Template Documents’ section at the bottom of the page). The letter, along with a copy of the utility bill/residential lease in the name of the person they live with and a copy of that person’s passport, must be certified as a true copy..

Certification Questions

WHO CAN CERTIFY MY DOCUMENTS?

Per Special Economic Zones Authority, documents can be certified by a Director (or equivalent) of a regulated entity/financial services firm, a lawyer, an accountant, a Notary Public, or a Justice of the Peace. The certifier must be independent of the applicant company, meaning they cannot be:
• The person providing the document(s)
• Related to the person providing the document(s)
• Living at the same address as the person providing the document(s)
• In a relationship with the person providing the document(s)
• A colleague or partner of the person providing the document(s)
HOW DO I CERTIFY A DOCUMENT AS A TRUE COPY?

Take the photocopied document and the original and ask the certifier to:
• Write "Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me" on the photocopy
• Sign and date the document
• Print their name under the signature
• Include their occupation, address, and telephone number
CERTIFICATES OF INCUMBENCY

Certificates of Incumbency may be used in the following circumstances:

A certified copy of a certificate of incumbency document will be accepted in lieu of Register of Directors and Register of Members from jurisdictions only where such Registers are not issued by the competent authority. All directors and shareholders must be detailed within the Certificate of Incumbency document;

So where the situation is that the relevant documents are internal records kept by the company, Certificates of Incumbency will be accepted; where this is the case, please confirm by email so we can in turn confirm this with the Regulator.

Translating Documents

TRANSLATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
All translated documentation must include a certified copy of the original, untranslated document and the translation must indicate the following:
- That it's a "true and accurate translation of the original document"
- Specify the language in which it was originally translated from
- Date translation was conducted
- Full name and contact details of the translator
- Formal letterhead of the associated entity, if not completed as an individual (where applicable)
- Individual should be independent of the business and a registered translator (provide registration number where applicable)

NAME INCONSISTENCIES

NAME CHANGE
Where an individual:

(a) has changed their name such that the name that appears on the various documents required in the Zone Trade Certificate application process is not the same, the Regulator will require a supporting name change document (i.e. a notorised Name Affidavit or Deed Poll); or

(b) has used a different/abbreviated version of their full name on a document or certain documents required in the ZTC application process, the Regulator will require a notorised Name Affidavit.

A Name Affidavit is for use when it becomes necessary for a person to declare that they are the same person as another name (i.e., in the event the person may be/may have been known by or used a different name). This affidavit is taken under oath and the declarant states in writing that he or she is the same person as the other name listed on the document. A Name Affidavit must be signed in the presence of a notary, solicitor, or commissioner of oaths.

A Name Affidavit contains the following provisions:
- Present Name: The name of the person which is presently being used;
- Previous Name: The name or names previously used or known by;
- Signatures: The declarant signs and dates the affidavit given under oath. The notary, solicitor, or commissioner of oaths must also sign the affidavit.
Noting that the above calls for the ‘previous name’, where appropriate this should be amended to include the ‘alternative name’ or ‘alternative form of name’.

Sample/Template Documents

Click the button below to access our downloadable template page, where you can find sample letters outlining all the requirements you need.

Access Downloadable Templates