You've drawn up your articles of association, and now you'd like to implement your company's creation by publishing it in the Journal d'Annonces Légales (JAL ) ? This is indeed a necessary step in the creation of your company, but you're not familiar with the procedure and would like some information to help you make sense of it! Here are some answers to help you.
Entrepreneurs, publish your business in the Journal d'Annonces Légales!
Definition: First of all, there is not just one newspaper, but several legal gazettes authorized to publish legal announcements. These newspapers are designated annually for each département by the State representative.
A newspaper for your legal notices
A Journal d'Annonces Légales is a newspaper authorized to collect, receive and publish legal announcements for both commercial and civil companies. Legal announcements are those informing readers about the creation of a company, a judicial liquidation or any other change in a company's articles of association.
These newspapers are also used to collect and publish legal notices for individuals declaring their insolvency, changing their surname or changing their matrimonial status.
When incorporating your company, publication in the JAL is an essential step. But when do you have to do it?
Publish your ad once your articles of association have been signed
The publication must be made before registering your company. In fact, the proof of publication must be attached to your business start-up file, which you will submit to the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises. You should therefore proceed with publication after signing your articles of association. This ensures that you have in your possession all the compulsory elements that must appear in your announcement, depending on your legal form.
Depending on your company's legal status, you'll need to include a number of compulsory details in your ad, which will also be included in the company's articles of association.
Service providers or direct procedure?
There are a number of different ways to publish in the JAL. You can carry out the procedure over the Internet. Many service providers offer this service. You'll then need to draw up your legal notice online and have it published. Note, however, that this is an important stage in the formation of your company, so be sure to choose a reputable service provider.
You can also contact the newspaper that will publish your legal notice directly. In this case, you can send your announcement directly to the newspaper, either electronically or by post.
This publication must be made through a newspaper in the département where your registered office is located.
Once this has been done, you'll receive a certificate of publication in the JAL, which you'll need to include in your company incorporation file.
A price that varies according to your project
While this procedure is compulsory, it is not free of charge. Depending on your project and legal status, the price may vary according to the length of the advertisement and the service provider you choose.
Your legal announcement must contain a certain amount of compulsory information, depending on the legal form you have chosen and the nature of your publication.
For the incorporation of a company, the price of a legal announcement can vary between 70 and 200 euros excluding tax.
A publication is required for each change of status. You'll be able to ask for quotes to find out the cost of each operation.
Mandatory step
Publication in the Journal d'Annonces Légales (legal gazette) is a compulsory step in setting up your company. You'll need to present proof of publication when you submit your application to the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises.
Publication in the JAL is also required for each event that modifies your company's articles of association.
To produce your publication, you have the option of working with a service provider or directly with the chosen newspaper. In all cases, it's a good idea to ask for quotes to find out how much your publication will cost.
Please also note that your legal notice must be published in a government-authorized newspaper in the département where your registered office is located.
Think about specialized companies
Finally, be sure to include in your ad all the compulsory information relating to your legal form, in particular your registered address. You can use the services of a commercial domiciliation company, which will provide you with a prestigious address and relieve you of the burden of this administrative formality.
Written by our expert Antoine Dubois
September 13, 2017
