Uploading documents to the Incorporated Societies Register

The size and types of files you can upload

Our online services accept only some file types, and in most cases the files must have a combined size of less than 75MB.

On this page:

Document file types you can upload

When uploading documents, you can only upload certain file types:

  • Portable Document Format (PDF)
  • Rich Text Format (RTF)
  • Microsoft Word documents:
    • Version 1997 to 2003 (DOC)
    • Version 2007 and newer (DOCX)
  • Corel Word Perfect (WPD)

You can also upload some image files, including:

  • GIF
  • JPG, or
  • PNG.

Filing documents with electronic signatures

Troubleshooting tips

You can use your smartphone to save a document as PDF

Many modern smartphones are able to scan documents and save them as PDF files. Here are 2 options:

If you have an iPhone Apple New Zealand website
  • Open the 'Notes' app and create a new note.
  • Tap the Camera icon and select 'Scan Documents'.
  • Scan the first page of the document, a bit like taking a photo.
  • Choose 'Keep Scan' to accept the first page.
  • You can add more pages to the scan or save if you're finished.
  • When you choose to save, your PDF file will save as a new Note.

If you have Google Drive Google Drive Help
  • Open the app and tap the '+' to create a new file.
  • From the menu choose 'Scan'.
  • Scan the document, a bit like taking a photo.
  • Add more pages to the scan by selecting the '+' onscreen.
  • When you choose to save, your PDF file will save to Google Drive.

Reducing the size of large files

You can reduce the file size of scanned documents by rescanning them with lower quality settings.

Getting further help

If you still have a problem, please get in touch with us.

Contact us

All help topics

Getting started on the register 8 guides

Find out about incorporated societies and the Incorporated Societies Register, and what's needed to register and maintain an incorporated society in New Zealand.

Searching the Incorporated Societies Register 2 guides

Find out how to search our registers for information about incorporated societies, and other entities

Starting an incorporated society 5 guides

To incorporate a society in New Zealand you must submit an application, along with the required documents, and pay a registration fee.

Reregistering under the 2022 Act 6 guides

To remain on the register, existing societies will need to reregister under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 before April 2026

Running your incorporated society 7 guides

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to keep your details on the register up to date, and follow the rules that apply to incorporated societies and how they are run.

Meeting your annual filing requirements 3 guides

Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to file annual financial statements. Societies registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 must also complete an annual return.

Keeping society details up to date 8 guides

Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to file annual financial statements and update other society details when they change.

Ending an incorporated society 3 guides

When an incorporated society reaches the end of its 'life', it must be wound up and removed from the register. Here we outline the ways this can be done, and the steps involved.

Restoring an incorporated society to the register 2 guides

An application can be made to us to have an incorporated society restored to the register, by the society itself, or by a creditor. You'll need to provide evidence to support your application.

Forms and fees 3 guides

The forms you might need to update a society's details, along with the fees that apply and ways you can pay.

Managing your online account 7 guides

To update society details on the Register of Incorporated Societies you need a Companies Office online services account. It's free to set up, but fees apply for some transactions.