To register a charity or NGO in Bangladesh, you register with one of three domestic authorities depending on how your organisation is structured, and you additionally register with the NGO Affairs Bureau if you intend to receive foreign funding. There is no single "NGO registration" office. Choosing the right route is the first real decision, and it depends on your legal form and where your money will come from.
This is general information, not legal advice. Registration laws, fees, forms, and timelines change, and procedures vary by district and case. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified lawyer before acting.
The four authorities, and who each is for
| Authority | Governing law | Best suited to | Indicative registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) | Societies Registration Act 1860 | Membership-based societies and associations | Around BDT 2,000 |
| Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) | Companies Act 1994 | Non-profit company (company limited by guarantee) | Around BDT 15,000 |
| Department of Social Services (DSS) | Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961 | Social welfare organisations | Varies |
| Sub-Registrar's Office | Trusts Act | Charitable trusts | Around BDT 2,540 for assets up to BDT 20,000, rising with asset value |
The fee figures above are drawn from the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law's 2025 monitor and Bangladeshi legal guidance, and should be treated as indicative. Confirm the current amount before you file.
How to choose your route
The right authority depends on a few questions:
- What is your structure? A membership society points to the Societies Registration Act, a charitable trust to the Trusts Act, and a non-profit company to the Companies Act, all via the relevant registrar.
- Is your focus social welfare? Organisations centred on social welfare often register with the Department of Social Services under the 1961 Ordinance.
- Will you receive foreign funding? If yes, you must also register with the NGO Affairs Bureau, regardless of your domestic structure. (See how to register with the NGO Affairs Bureau.)
The general steps
While each route differs, the broad pattern is similar: secure name clearance where required, prepare your governing documents (constitution, memorandum, or trust deed), assemble executive committee details and an activity plan, submit the application with the prescribed fee to the relevant authority, and, once registered, open a bank account in the organisation's name. Trusts register the trust deed at the local sub-registrar; societies and non-profit companies file with RJSC; social welfare agencies file with DSS.
If you will receive foreign donations
This is the step many new organisations miss. Domestic registration alone does not permit you to receive foreign funds. Any organisation intending to receive and use foreign donations must additionally register with the NGO Affairs Bureau under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2016, a separate and more involved process. (See the Foreign Donations Act explained.)
After registration: raising funds
Once your organisation is registered, the next challenge is funding. A registered NGO can accept domestic donations transparently through a verified platform, which is where Uddom fits: it gives registered organisations a verified campaign page, local payments, and fund tracking. Uddom does not handle your legal registration, but once you are registered, it helps you raise and account for funds with donors. (See how NGOs can accept online donations.)
Frequently asked questions
Which authority should I register my NGO with in Bangladesh? It depends on your structure and funding. Societies and non-profit companies register with RJSC, trusts with the sub-registrar, and social welfare organisations with the Department of Social Services. If you will receive foreign funds, you must also register with the NGO Affairs Bureau.
Do I need to register with the NGO Affairs Bureau? Only if you intend to receive foreign donations. For purely domestic organisations, one of the three domestic routes is sufficient. Always confirm current rules with the authority or a lawyer.
By Md. Sowad Al-Mughni, Uddom. Last updated: June 2026.