Registering an FSP

Everyone who provides, or offers to provide, a financial service in New Zealand must have registered as a financial service provider by 1 December 2010, or 31 March 2011 for financial advisers.

The meaning of 'Financial service' for the purpose of registration can be found in section 5 of the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution)  Act 2008.  Definitions of some of the financial services can be found here.

Any individuals, companies and other entity types should register as an FSP, if they are providing a financial service.

Some people will be exempt from registering, such as lawyers, chartered accountants, tax agents, or real estate agents who only provide a financial service as a necessary incident of their practice, or a non-profit organisation providing free financial services.  Check our FAQs for more information about possible exemptions.

Before applying for registration

Before you can apply for registration as an FSP, you should:

1. Join an approved dispute resolution scheme, if required.  Check here to see a list of approved schemes, and for general information on dispute resolution schemes and membership; and

2. Register as a user of the FSPR site.  To use the FSPR and make your applciation you must first have an iGovt logon and be a registered user of this site.  Detailed instructions on this process are available here.

Once you have your logon and account set up, then you can start your application as:

• an individual;
• a New Zealand registered entity; or
• an Other entity.