Step-by-Step Instructions

Beneficial Owner Information Report (BOIR) PDF Filing Method

Step-by-Step Instructions | 1
 Before You Begin

1. Install Adobe Reader

If you do not already have Adobe Reader, download it (get.adobe.com/reader/) and install it on your device.
2. Have the required identifying information (or FinCEN ID) available for beneficial owners and company
applicants (if applicable)
Collect the required information from beneficial owners and company applicants (if applicable): each
individual’s name, date of birth, address, a unique identifying number from an acceptable identification
document, and the name of the issuing jurisdiction of that identification document. (If an individual has
a FinCEN ID, that may be collected instead.)
3. Obtain an electronic image of the acceptable identification document required for each company
applicant and beneficial owner unless a FinCEN ID is provided. An acceptable identification document
is a non-expired: State-issued driver’s license, State/local/Tribe-issued ID, U.S. passport, or foreign
passport.
NOTE: A foreign passport is only acceptable if the individual does not have one of the other identifying

documents.
The image must be a complete, clear, and readable image of the page or side of the identifying document
containing the unique identifying number, and other identifying data. The supported formats are JPG/
JPEG, PNG, and PDF. The maximum file size for each image is 4 MB.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 2
 BOI E-Filing System (1 of 2)
OI E-Filing System (1 of 2)

The BOIR can be submitted as a PDF (PDF

BOIR)The
or BOIR
online
canthrough a web
be submitted as a browser
PDF (PDF BOIR)
(Online BOIR).
or online through a web browser (Online BOIR).  

To fileTothe PDF BOIR, follow the steps outlined

file the PDF BOIR, follow the steps outline
below:
below:
1. Go to boiefiling .fincen .gov in the web
browser (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Google
Chrome)
2. Select the File BOIR link/icon.
2

Step-by-Step Instructions | 3
 BOI E-Filing System (2 of 2)
ling System (2 of 2)

3. Click the Prepare BOIR button in the File PDF BOIR

section to download the BOIR PDF.
the Prepare BOIR button
Depending in the
on the user’s File PDF
browser, the file may be
ction to download
downloaded the BOIR
to your PDF. download directory
browser’s
(this is typically the Downloads folder on your computer). 3
ing on the user’s browser, the file may be
aded to your browser’s download directory
NOTE: The PDF BOIR requires Adobe Reader. To
ypically the Downloads folder on your
complete the PDF BOIR, you must have Adobe
er). Reader installed on your device.
It is recommended that you have the latest version
of Adobe Reader installed.
NOTE: The PDF BOIR requires Adobe
eader. To complete the PDF BOIR, you
must have Adobe Reader installed on
our device.
is recommended that you have the
atest version of Adobe Reader installed.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 4
 PDF BOIR - Open

– Open

4. Locate the downloaded BOIR.pdf document on your

he downloaded BOIR.pdf document on

device. Open the document in Adobe Reader.

. Open the document in Adobe Reader.

NOTE: The file must be opened in Adobe Reader!
Depending on how your device is configured, double clicking
the file may or may not open the file in in Adobe Reader. If
you attempt to open the PDF within the web browser, close
must be opened in Adobe Reader!
the window and open in Adobe Reader in one of two ways: 4
how your device
1. Openis the
configured, double
Adobe Reader clicking and
application the then open the
y not open the file in
BOIR.pdf OR in Adobe Reader. If you
en the PDF within the web browser, close the
pen in Adobe2.Reader
Right-click on the BOIR.pdf document and select the Open
in one of two ways:
With > Adobe Reader option.
e Adobe Reader application and then open the
f OR
ck on the BOIR.pdf document and select the Open
Adobe Reader option.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 5
 Complete BOIR: BOI E-Filing PDF Form

R: BOI E-Filing PDF Form

he PDF BOIR

Key Parts of the PDF BOIR

abs A. Navigation Tabs

A
There are four (4) tabs at the top of
4) tabs at the top of each page of
each page of the PDF BOIR:
• Home
• Reporting Company
• Company Applicant(s)
mpany
• Beneficial Owner(s) 
plicant(s)
The selected tab will be highlighted in
light gray.
wner(s)
Navigate to a different page in the
b will document
be highlighted in light gray.
either by scrolling to the next
page or by clicking a tab.
fferent page in the document
ng to the next page or by clicking a

Step-by-Step Instructions | 6
 e Tab Action Buttons
PDF BOIR – Home Tab Action Buttons
ick the corresponding button to

inks user to regulatory/policy

lated to
B. completing the BOIR.
Action Buttons: Click the corresponding
button to complete an action:
re all entered information is properly
all system required fields
• Instructions: Linkscontain an
user to regulatory/
policy instructions related to completing the
BOIR.
the form so that form cannot be edited.
• Validate: Ensure all entered information is
ze when you are ready to file the
properly formatted and all system required
ocked, an fields
Edit Report button appears.
contain an entry B
Report button to return to editing.
• Finalize: Lock the form so that form cannot
file locallybe edited. Select to Finalize when you are
ard copy –readyOptional
to file the report. When locked, an Edit
Report button appears. Click the Edit Report
You may save at any point during form
button to return to editing.
When you are ready to file and the BOIR
Save: Save the file locally
ve the •finalized report in order to
eady to File button.
• Print: PrintSelect the –Ready
a hard copy to
Optional
go directly
• to thetoBOIR
Ready PDFmay
File: You submit
save at any
re you willpoint
attach and form
during submit your BOIR
preparation. When
also navigate to the
you are readysubmit
to file webpage
and the BOIR is
iling System File BOI
finalized, saveReport > Submit
the finalized report in

tton is onlyorder to activate the Ready to File button. Select the Ready to File button to go directly to the BOIR PDF submit webpage
active after the form has
where you will attach and submit your BOIR PDF. (You may also navigate to the submit webpage via the BOI E-Filing System
and saved locally.
File BOI Report > Submit BOIR). This button is only active after the form has been finalized and saved locally.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 7
 PDF BOIR – Filing Information
ng Information

ng all
required fields under the
n section from
Start the Home
by completing tab: fields
all required
under the Filing Information section
Select the type of filing you wish
from the Home tab:
eport,5.Correct
Type ofprior
filing:report,
Select the type of
ort, Newly exempt
filing you wishentity).
to makeOnly
(Initial
report, Correct prior report,
e selected.
Update prior report, Newly
exempt entity). Only one option
5
can be selected.
eport5a.is selected,
When Initialno further
report is selected, no
quired in this
furthersection.
informationWhenis required in
ort, Update this prior
section. report, or prior
When Correct 5a
report, Update prior report, or
ntity is selected, fields are
Newly exempt entity is selected,
al name, Tax fieldsidentification type,
are activated for Legal
ation number.name, TaxComplete these
identification type,
porting company information
and Tax identification number.

y’s most recently filed prior

Complete these fields with the
reporting company information
from the company’s most recently

ed field is auto-filled with the

filed prior BOIR.

n the PDFTheBOIR is finalized.

Date prepared field is auto-
filled with the current date when
the PDF BOIR is finalized.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 8
 PDF BOIR – Reporting Company (1 of 3)
R – Reporting Company (1 of 3)

Reporting Company tab, complete the sections
6. Under Reporting Company tab, complete the
s as required.
sections and fields as required.
t Request to receive
6a. Select Request FinCEN Identifier
to receive (FinCEN
FinCEN Identifier 6a
ceive a unique FinCEN
(FinCEN ID) toidentifier for the
receive a unique reporting
FinCEN
. The FinCEN identifier will be provided in the
identifier for the reporting company. The 6b 6c
on confirmation details provided to the filer
FinCEN identifier will be provided in the
submission confirmation details provided to
fter the BOIR is submitted/accepted.
the filer directly after the BOIR is submitted/
t the Foreign pooled investment vehicle option
accepted.
porting6b.Company
Select theisForeign
a foreign pooled
pooled investment
investment vehicle
option if the Reporting Company is a foreign
pooled investment vehicle.
tion is selected, Company Applicant Information
If this option is selected, Company Applicant
ger required and is cleared/disabled. In addition,
Information is no longer required and is
(1) beneficial owner must
cleared/disabled. In be reported
addition, only under
one (1) the
l Owner(s)beneficial
tab in this situation.
owner must be reported under the
Beneficial Owner(s) tab in this situation.
plete the fields under the Legal name and
e name(s) section as
6c. Complete theapplicable.
fields under the Legal name and
alternate name(s) section as applicable.
ore than one alternate
To add more thanname for the name
one alternate reporting
for the
, click the reporting
+ buttoncompany,
to add additional alternate
click the (+) button to add
g companyadditional
names (up to 99reporting
alternate alternate namesnames
company can
d). (up to 99 alternate names can be added).

Step-by-Step Instructions | 9
 PDF BOIR – Reporting Company (2 of 3)
orting Company (2 of 3)

ax Identification Type
u. EIN, SSN/ITIN, or Foreign
. If the
6d. Foreign option
Select the Tax is
Identification Type

unty/Jurisdiction field is
dropdown menu. EIN, SSN/ITIN,
or Foreign may be selected. If the
6d
quired. Foreign option is selected, the County/
Jurisdiction field is enabled and
required.

SSN/ITINunless
is required unless a
Note: An EIN or SSN/ITIN is required
a foreign Reporting Company
ng Company does
does not havenot
one. have
In that case, the
e, the foreign reporting
foreign reporting company may report

eport its its

foreign tax
foreign tax identification number and
the issuing jurisdiction.
umber and the issuing

Step-by-Step Instructions | 10
 PDF BOIR – Reporting Company (3 of 3)
porting Company (3 of 3)

ountry/Jurisdiction of
6e. Select the Country/Jurisdiction of
down menu.
formation dropdown menu.
If United States is selected, State of
State ofand
selected,formation formation
Tribal jurisdiction of
ction of formation fields
formation fields appear. One of these
ese fieldsfields
must bebecompleted.
must completed.

is selected, the State of

If a U.S. Territory is selected, the
State of formation field appears and is
ppears and is automatically
automatically populated with that U.S.
hat U.S. Territory.
Territory.

ry is selected, State of first

If a foreign country is selected, State of
first registration and Tribal jurisdiction
Tribal jurisdiction of first fields appear. One of
of first registration 6e
appear. One of these
these fields must fields
be completed.
ed. 6f. Complete all fields under the Current
U.S. Address section. Select U.S. or U.S.
fields under the
Territory Current
from this dropdown menu.
ction. Select U.S.
If United orselected,
States U.S. the State
his dropdown menu. If
dropdown must be completed. If U.S.
Territory is selected, the State field is
State dropdown
ected, theautomatically populatedmust
with that U.S.
U.S. Territory is selected,
Territory. the
matically populated with that 6f

Step-by-Step Instructions | 11
 PDF BOIR – Company Applicant(s) (1 of 2)
mpany Applicant(s) (1 of 2)

7. Under the Company Applicant(s)
tab, complete sections and fields
7a
as required.
7a. Select the Existing reporting
company checkbox if the reporting
y Applicant(s) tab, complete the
company was created or registered
s as required.
before January 1, 2024.
NOTE: When Existing reporting
sting Reporting
companyCompany
is selected, Company
eporting company was created
Applicant Information or
is no longer
January 1, 2024.and the fields under this
required
tab are cleared/disabled.

ting reporting company is

ny Applicant Information is no
nd the fields under this tab are

Step-by-Step Instructions | 12
 PDF BOIR – Company Applicant(s) (2 of 2)
OIR – Company Applicant(s) (2 of 2)

applicable,
7b. Ifenter the 12-digit
applicable, FinCEN
enter the ID of
12-digit the
FinCEN
any applicant.
ID of After a valid FinCEN
the company ID isAfter
applicant. entered,
a valid
maining fields for the
FinCEN company
ID is entered,applicant will be
all remaining fields 7c
ed/disabled.forIf the
youcompany
do not enter a FinCEN
applicant IDcleared/
will be for a
any applicant, enterIfthe
disabled. youcompany applicant’s
do not enter a FinCEN ID
mation for inforthe Legal name
a company and date
applicant, ofthe
enter birth,
company
7b
nt Address,applicant’s
and Forminformation
of identification
for in and
the Legal
g jurisdiction
name sections.​
and date of birth, Current Address,
and Form of identification and issuing
For a company applicant who forms or registers
jurisdiction sections.​
es in the course of their business, report the
address ofNote:
such For
business. Report
a company the residential
applicant who forms
ss of otherorcompany
registersapplicants.​
entities in the course of their
Identifying document image guidelines:
business, report the street address of such
ick the Addbusiness.
Attachment button to attach an • The image must be a complete,
Report the residential address of clear, and readable image of the
e of an acceptable identifying document for the
other company applicants.​ page or side of the identifying
any applicant.
7c. After providing the required information for document containing the unique
fter providing the required
a company information
applicant, click thefor
‘+’ abutton identifying number and other
any applicant, click
to add anthe “+” button
additional to add
company an
applicant identifying data. One file must be
onal company applicant attached.
if required. An ifadditional
required.section
An will be
onal section will be added under the current • Supported formats are​ JPG/JPEG,
added under the current page. Click the ‘–’
PNG, and PDF.
Click the “–” button
button to remove
to remove company
company applicants. • Maximum File Size: 4MB
cants.7d. Click the Add Attachment button to attach
Reporting an
companies
image of are required to
an acceptable report up
identifying
o company document
applicants.
for the company applicant. 7d
Note: Reporting companies are required to
report up to two company applicants.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 13
 PDF BOIR – Beneficial Owner(s) (1 of 2)
Beneficial Owner(s) (1 of 2)

8. Under Beneficial Owner(s) tab, complete
neficial Owner(s) tab,and
the sections complete the
fields as required. 8b
fields8a.
as required.
If applicable, enter the 12-digit FinCEN
ID of the beneficial owner. After
ble, enterthethevalid FinCENFinCEN
12-digit ID ofall
ID is entered,
8a
al owner. After the fields
remaining valid(except
FinCEN forID isParent/
the
emainingGuardian
fields (except for the
information instead of
minor child checkbox) for the Beneficial
dian information instead of minor
Owner(s) tab will be cleared/disabled.
ox) for theIf Beneficial Owner(s) tab will
no FinCEN ID is entered and no
isabled. Ifspecial
no FinCEN ID rule
reporting is entered and the
applies, enter
porting rule applies,
beneficial enter
owner’s the
information for in
wner’s information
the Exemptfor in the
entity Exempt Legal
(if applicable),
licable), Legal
name name
and dateand dateResidential
of birth, of
ntial address, and Form of
address, and Form of identification and
issuing jurisdiction sections.
n and issuing jurisdiction sections.
8b. Click the ‘+’ button to add additional
+ button to add additional
beneficial owners. beneficial
Note: There is no limit to the number of
beneficial owners that may be reported.
is no limitHowever,
to the number of beneficial
the BOIR limits the number of
may be reported. However, the
beneficial owners to 99. BOIR
mber of beneficial owners to 99.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 14
 PDF BOIR – Beneficial Owner(s) (2 of 2)
ttachment button and attach an

table identifying document for each
8c. Click the Add Attachment button
and attach an image of an acceptable
identifying document for each
beneficial owner.
st be a complete, clear, and readable
age or side of the identifying
taining the unique identifying number,
tifying data. One file must be attached. 8c
mats are​ JPG/JPEG, PNG, and PDF.
Size: 4MB.
NOTE:
• The image must be a complete, clear, and readable image of the page or side of the identifying document containing the
unique identifying number, and other identifying data. One file must be attached.
• Supported formats are​ JPG/JPEG, PNG, and PDF.
• Maximum File Size: 4MB.

15

Step-by-Step Instructions | 15
 nalize PDF BOIR – Finalize

me tab
9. Click the Home tab
alidate10.button, toValidate
Click the validate thattoall
button, system-
validate that all 9
have been completed.fields
system-required If there
have are
been errors, a If
completed.
ppear indicating
there are the specific
errors, field
a message will that will
appear indicating
the specific field that will need to be addressed.
ressed. When the PDF BOIR returns zero
When the PDF BOIR returns zero errors in 10
alidate step, the PDF
the Validate BOIR
step, is ready
the PDF BOIR isto be to be
ready
finalized.
11
11. Click the Finalize button to lock all fields,
nalize button to lock all fields, disabling the
disabling the ability to update the PDF BOIR.
e the PDF BOIR. The Finalize button will be
The Finalize button will be replaced with an Edit 12
an Edit Report button to reenable fields, if
Report button to reenable fields, if needed. After
he Finalize step, the PDF BOIR must be
the Finalize step, the PDF BOIR must be saved to

re it for submission.
prepare it for submission.
12. Click the Save button to save the file to your
ve buttondevice.
to save
Oncethe filethetoReady
saved, yourTodevice.
File button is
e Ready To File button is enabled.
enabled.
13. As soon as the PDF BOIR is finalized and saved,
the PDF BOIR is finalized
the Ready andissaved,
to File button enabled.the
Click the
utton is enabled. Click the Ready To File
Ready To File button to begin the submission 13
n the submission process.
process. Your Your default
default browser will open to the PDF
pen to theBOIR
PDFsubmission
BOIR submission webpage as
webpage as a result.
Note: The system-required fields are those that Note: The system-required fields are those that all reporting companies must
all reporting companies must complete at a complete at a minimum. The Validate button does not indicate whether a
particular reporting company has entered all the information it is required to
minimum. The Validate button does not indicate
report.
whether a particular reporting company has
entered all the information it is required to report.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 16
 PDF BOIR – Submission Webpage
ubmission Webpage

Instead of using the Ready to File
button under the Home Tab, you can
also reach the PDF BOIR submission
webpage as follows:
A. From the BOI E-Filing System
page (boiefiling.fincen.gov),
click the File BOIR icon/link.
g the Ready to File button under
B. Click the Submit BOIR button
you can also reach the PDF BOIR
under the File PDF BOIR
bpage as follows:
section to open the PDF BOIR
OI E-Filing System page
submission webpage. A
ng.fincen.gov), click the File BOIR

bmit BOIR button under the File PDF

open the PDF BOIR submission

Step-by-Step Instructions | 17
Warning
PDF BOIR – Warning

the warning language and click

14. Review the warning language and
click the I Agree button.
button.

14

Step-by-Step Instructions | 18
 PDF BOIR – Submit
BOIR – Submit

Complete all fields and attach your finalized

BOIR to this page.

Select the I certify checkbox indicating that

certify that all information is true, correct, and
mplete.15. Complete all fields and attach your finalized PDF
BOIR to this page.
16. Select the I certify checkbox indicating that you

Select thecertify
hCaptcha textbox I am human. You
that all information is true, correct, and
15
complete.
be prompted with images to select in response
17. Select the hCaptcha textbox I am human. You will
question to verify you are not a robot.
be prompted with images to select in response to a
question to verify you are not a robot.
18. Click the Submit BOIR button.
Click the Submit BOIR button.
16

17

18

Step-by-Step Instructions | 19
 PDF BOIR – Confirmation
Confirmation

19. The BOI E-Filing System will display
a progress bar during submission
processing.
-Filing20a.
System
After will display aisprogress
the submission processed
bmission processing.
successfully, you will see the Submission 19
Status Confirmation page.
20b. If the submission is rejected, the
submission is processed
Submission Status Confirmation page will
ou will see the Submission
provide Status
a Rejected status and prompt 20a
page. you to resolve any errors and resubmit.
21.
Select the Download Transcript

bmission isbutton to download a PDF copy of the

rejected, the Submission
transcript which includes a copy of the
mation page will provide
confirmation page a Rejected
details and the report
ompt you data
to resolve any errors and serves as
in transcript format. This
a receipt of your submission.

Download Transcript button to

20b
DF copy of the transcript which
py of the confirmation page details
t data in transcript format. This 21
ceipt of your submission.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 20
 Note: If using the previously filed BOIR PDF, the
cent PDF BOIR saved to your device or click the Edit Report button on the first page of
OIR.
PDF BOIR – Updatedtheand Corrected
PDF to Reports
unlock and edit the report.
prior report, Update prior report, or Newly
ckbox
in the Filing Information section of
To complete an updated or corrected report using the
PDF BOIR:
ct prior
•
report, Update prior report, or
Access the most recent PDF BOIR saved to your
ty are selected,
device. fields are activated for
entification
• type,
Select and Tax
the Correct identification
prior report, Update prior
these fields with
report, reporting
or Newly exemptcompany
entity checkbox in the
he company’s most recently
Filing Information section filed
of the prior
Home tab.
• When Newly exempt entity is selected, the
Reporting Company, Company Applicant(s) and
pt entity is selected, the Reporting
Beneficial Owner(s) tabs are cleared/ disabled. If
y Applicant(s) and Beneficial Owner(s) tabs
Correct prior report or Update prior report is
ed. If Correct prior report or Update prior
selected, these tabs remain active, and you should
enter or edit information under them as described
these tabs remain active, and you should
above.
mation• under them as described above.
Submit your updated or corrected BOIR using the
ed or corrected BOIR
submission using
process the submission
described above.

above.NOTE: When Correct prior report, Update prior

report, or Newly exempt entity are selected, fields are
21
activated for Legal name, Tax identification type, and
Tax identification number. Complete these fields with
reporting company information from the company’s
most recently filed prior BOIR.
NOTE: If using the previously filed BOIR PDF, the click
the Edit Report button on the first page of the PDF to
unlock and edit the report.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 21
 PDF BOIR – Common Errors (1 of 2)

The following errors may be encountered when using the BOI E-Filing System. Methods to correct them are listed below.

Error: System displays ‘Please Wait’, but nothing happens when you attempt to open the PDF BOIR.
√ This means the web browser is attempting to open a PDF in the browser window. Adobe Reader must be
used instead. Open the PDF BOIR in Adobe Reader: Configure your browser to open PDF files in Adobe
Reader or navigate to the location on your device where the form is downloaded/saved, and then open the
file with Adobe Reader.

Error: After you click the Validate or Finalize button under the Home tab to validate or finalize the PDF BOIR
prior to submission, a message displays indicating a missing field and highlighting it on the screen.
√ Fill in the missing information and re-validate (by clicking the Validate button under the Home Tab)
before finalizing the report.

Error: File type not accepted.

√ The only file types accepted for identifying document uploads are JPG/JPEG, PNG, and PDF. Check the file
type and change it to one of the approved types, then re-attach the file.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 22
 PDF BOIR – Common Errors (2 of 2)

The following errors may be encountered when using the BOI E-Filing System. Methods to correct them are listed below.

Error: Only one file is accepted when you try to upload multiple identifying documents.
√ The system will allow you to upload only one identifying document attachment per beneficial
owner or company applicant. Select one identifying document to attach for each beneficial owner
or company applicant.

Error: ‘Rejected’ displays on BOIR submission confirmation page.

√ The PDF BOIR was not successfully filed. Review/resolve the error(s) displayed at the bottom of the
confirmation page, and then resubmit.

Error: File size exceeded when attaching identifying document.

√ If you upload an identifying document attachment that is greater than 4MB, you must decrease
the size of your attachment file. For example, if the file is a JPEG image of a driver’s license or
passport, you can decrease the size of the image. The best way to decrease an image’s size will
depend on the image program used, but instructions for doing so generally may be found online.

Step-by-Step Instructions | 23