The Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Home Affairs (under the Office of Registrar of Societies) has issued new directives to change the status of all existing Certificates of Registration of Societies from permanent registration to time based registration. According to the Public Statement from the Registrar of Societies dated 10th August 2021 notified that the Government has changed the registration status of Societies from permanent (perpetual) registration to time based registration of 5 years renewable. Consequently, all Societies (including religious institutions) that were previously registered in Tanzania must undergo a fresh re-registration and be issued with the new 5 years registration certificates. These changes comes amidst the implement of the 2019 amendments to the Societies Act, Cap. 337.
All Societies have been granted a period of 90 days from 16th August 2021 to 24th November 2021 to implement and adopt the changes by re-applying for re-registration so as to be re-registered and granted a fresh 5 years registration certificates.
It is relevant to note that, the directive warns against failure of the Society to renew its certificate would, result to deregistration and removal of non compliant Society from the Register of Societies in Tanzania.
For more information and legal guidance on this matter please contact us.
