Georgia: registering as an individual entrepreneur and opening a bank account — which translations the Public Service Hall requires

A designer moved to Tbilisi and decided to register as an individual entrepreneur to work with foreign clients. Registration at the Public Service Hall looked simple: passport and application. But on the spot she was offered a notarised translation of her passport into Georgian — right there, for an extra fee and extra time.

What the Public Service Hall requires

To register as an individual entrepreneur, a foreigner needs a passport and a legal address. If the passport is not in English or its data needs clarification, a notarised Georgian translation may be requested. It is more convenient to do this in Georgia: the Public Service Hall and local notaries have translators. A Russian translation into Georgian is awkward here — it would also have to be certified by a Georgian notary.

What banks ask for

To open an account for an individual entrepreneur, banks run customer checks: passport, extract of entrepreneur registration, sometimes proof of source of income — contracts with clients, bank statements, tax returns. Banks often ask for Russian-language documents to be translated into English or Georgian. Requirements differ between banks and change over time, so check the list before your visit.

The case

The client ordered English translations of her client contracts and statements from us in advance. The bank accepted them without questions, and the account was opened on the day she applied. The passport was translated on the spot at the Public Service Hall. Result: entrepreneur status and a bank account in two days.

Tip: if your documents contain complex wording — contracts with Russian companies, for example — get an English translation in advance. The bank officer needs to understand the content, and a translation helps you pass the check faster.