Certificate of existence C n°20: what it is for and how to get it

When you file your declaration of existence (G n°8), the tax office opens your file, assigns you a tax article number and issues the certificate of existence. On the tax side, it is the proof that your business exists and is managed by an identified office.

The certificate says nothing about your payments: for what you have paid and what is still owed, you need the tax roll extract (extrait de rôle). Nor does it replace the NIF certificate, which carries your tax identification number.

Where you will be asked for it

• Statistical registration (NIS) with the ONS (National Statistics Office): the certificate of existence is among the documents often requested.
• CASNOS registration (social security for the self-employed) of the manager or trader.
• Opening a business bank account, applying for a loan or a card terminal.
• Administrative and commercial files that need proof the business is known to the tax office.

One code, two uses

Sources do not all say the same thing about the "C20". On the DGI side, the certificate of existence C20 is an open-file document requested at start-up. Several professional guides also explain that at closure, the certificate confirming that the closing balance sheet was filed, which the CNRC office requires for deregistration, is issued on the same Série C n°20 form.

The certificate of existence concerns every taxpayer who has filed a declaration of existence: company, sole trader, professional, craftsperson, auto-entrepreneur. It is personal and is handed to the taxpayer or their representative.

• At start-up: you normally receive it after filing form G n°8.
• Later: you can ask for another copy, for example when an organisation wants a recent document.
• Company: the request is signed by the manager (gérant), with the stamp.
• Representative: with a power of attorney from the taxpayer or the manager.

1. 1

   File form G n°8 first

   Within 30 days of starting the activity, at the tax office covering your registered office or place of business, with all the documents.

2. 2

   Collect the certificate

   The office opens your file, assigns the article number and issues the certificate of existence. Ask when you can collect it.

3. 3

   Check every entry

   Company or personal name, activity, address, article number: everything must match the trade register and form G n°8.

4. 4

   Make copies

   The NIS office, CASNOS and the bank often ask for it. Keep the original and several copies.

5. 5

   For a new copy, request it

   Online on Jibaya'tic if the service is open for you; otherwise by a written request to the managing office.

6. 6

   At closure, ask for the right document

   After filing the closing balance sheet or cessation return, ask for the certificate confirming that filing for your CNRC deregistration file.

The certificate is issued by the office that manages your file: the tax inspection, the tax centre (CDI), the local tax centre (CPI) or the Large Enterprises Directorate (DGE). It is the same office where you filed form G n°8.

Requesting online

The DGI has announced a service on its Jibaya'tic portal for requesting the C20 certificate of existence and the tax roll extract online, then following the request in the "Documents fiscaux" tab. The press first presented it for DGE companies: check in your account whether it is open for your tax centre.

In September 2026, the national press also listed the "C20 certificate of existence" among the tax documents added to the Dzair Digital Services portal. We found no official page on that procedure on the verification date.

You can write the request for a new copy yourself with this guide. At setup, it is form G n°8 that triggers the certificate: see its page.

The certificate itself has no request deadline. The deadline that governs it is that of form G n°8: 30 days from the start of activity (for a trader or a company, the trade register date), set by Article 183 of the Direct Taxes Code (CIDTA).

The sooner you file form G n°8, the sooner you get the certificate, and the sooner you can move on to the NIS and CASNOS. Filing G n°8 late also exposes you, according to the DGI, to a tax fine of 30,000 DA.

• Confusing the certificate of existence with the tax roll extract (payment position) or the NIF certificate.
• Missing the 30-day deadline for form G n°8 and delaying everything that follows (NIS, CASNOS).
• Not checking the entries on the certificate before handing it to the bank or CASNOS.
• Presenting the start-up certificate of existence for a deregistration, instead of the certificate confirming the closing balance sheet was filed.
• Asking an office that does not manage your file.
• Having a single copy and needing to request it again for every step.