If you're checking the legitimacy of a Philippine corporation, verifying its current directors and officers, confirming ownership details for a potential investment or partnership, or fulfilling requirements for a bank loan, government transaction, or legal matter, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s General Information Sheet (GIS) is one of the most important official records you can access.

The GIS serves as a snapshot of a company’s key information at the time of filing. It is not just an internal compliance document — it is a public record that ordinary Filipinos, overseas workers, foreign investors, and professionals routinely use for due diligence. This guide walks you through exactly how to obtain or verify SEC GIS records in 2026, using the most practical and up-to-date channels available.

What Exactly is a General Information Sheet (GIS)?

The General Information Sheet (GIS) is an annual reportorial document that every domestic and foreign corporation registered with the SEC must file. It records the corporation’s current structure, leadership, and ownership.

A typical GIS includes:

Corporate name, SEC registration number, and date of registration
Principal office address and fiscal year
Date and place of the most recent annual stockholders’ or members’ meeting
Complete list of directors or trustees (with names, nationalities, addresses, and positions)
Complete list of officers (President, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary, and others, with the same personal details)
Stockholders or members and their shareholdings (number of shares, amount paid-up, and percentage ownership)
Authorized, subscribed, and paid-up capital
In the 2026 version of the form, enhanced Beneficial Ownership information identifying the ultimate natural persons who own or control the corporation

The GIS is attested to by the Corporate Secretary and, for physical filings, notarized. It reflects the facts as of the filing date and is used by the SEC to monitor compliance, update its database, and promote corporate transparency.

Legal Basis for GIS Filing and Public Access

The requirement comes from Section 177 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 11232, enacted in 2019). This law mandates that corporations submit a GIS annually within 30 calendar days after the actual date of their annual stockholders’ or members’ meeting (or within 30 days from the anniversary of the SEC license for foreign corporations).

The GIS is considered a public corporate record. While the SEC maintains it primarily for regulatory purposes, the information is accessible to the public through official channels because of the policy of transparency embedded in the Revised Corporation Code and reinforced by subsequent SEC Memorandum Circulars on beneficial ownership disclosure and reportorial compliance (including updates in 2025–2026).

Corporations that fail to file on time face administrative penalties, but the filed GIS remains available for public request even if later filings are delayed.

Why People Commonly Need to Obtain or Verify GIS Records

Ordinary individuals and businesses request GIS records for many practical reasons:

A potential business partner or investor wants to confirm who really controls the company and whether the listed officers match what was represented.
Banks and financing institutions require the latest GIS as part of credit or loan due diligence.
Government agencies and local government units often ask for it during bidding, permitting, or accreditation processes.
Lawyers and litigants use it to identify proper parties in disputes or to serve summons correctly.
Families or heirs checking shareholdings in estate settlement or succession matters.
Foreign companies entering joint ventures or due diligence processes before investing in the Philippines.
Suppliers or contractors verifying the legitimacy and current authorized signatories of a client company.

In all these situations, having the most recent GIS (not an old one) provides stronger assurance than relying on verbal representations or unofficial sources.

Quick Ways to Verify Basic Corporate Information First

Before paying for a full GIS, start with free or low-cost verification tools:

Download the official SEC CheckApp (available on major app stores) or visit the SEC website to confirm the company’s registration status (Active, Revoked, Suspended, etc.), exact legal name, and SEC registration number. This prevents wasted requests on misspelled names or inactive entities.
For publicly listed companies, visit the PSE EDGE portal (edge.pse.com.ph). Many ownership, governance, and annual report disclosures are freely viewable there without fees.
The SEC’s eSEARCH platform (esearch.sec.gov.ph) allows registered users to search, view, and download certain filed corporate documents, including GIS and Audited Financial Statements, digitally. This can be faster for initial screening when a physical certified copy is not immediately required.

These preliminary checks often reveal whether the company is in good standing and give you the precise details needed for a targeted GIS request.

Step-by-Step Guide: Requesting a GIS Through the SEC Express System

The fastest and most convenient way for most people in 2026 is the SEC Express System at secexpress.ph. The SEC has adopted a Zero Face-to-Face Transaction Policy for most document requests, making this online channel the standard route.

Here is the practical process:

Gather the exact company details. Use the legal corporate name exactly as registered or, better, the SEC Registration Number. Confirm these first via the SEC CheckApp or website to avoid search failures.
Visit https://secexpress.ph/ and start a new order. No account creation is strictly required for basic ordering, though having one helps with tracking.
Search for the company using its name or SEC number. The system will display matching records.
Select the document. Choose “General Information Sheet.” You can request a plain copy (cheaper) or an authenticated/certified true copy (recommended for banks, courts, government offices, or any official use). You may also add other documents (Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Audited Financial Statements) in the same order.
Enter your contact and delivery information. Provide a complete Philippine delivery address. The system supports nationwide courier delivery.
Review the quote. Fees depend on the number of pages, type of copy (plain vs. certified), quantity, and delivery location. New reduced fees for IT-related services took effect on June 1, 2026, under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2026. The total covers processing and courier delivery. Pay only after reviewing the exact amount.
Pay securely. Accepted channels include GCash, Maya, credit/debit cards, online banking, and payment counters. An order confirmation with a reference number is sent to your email.
Track your request. Log back into secexpress.ph or call the hotline (02) 8-737-8888 (Monday–Saturday, 8 AM–5 PM) using your reference number. You can also check status online.
Receive the document. Courier delivery (via LBC or Messerve) typically takes 3–5 working days within Metro Manila and up to 7 working days for provincial addresses once the SEC releases the documents. Someone with valid ID can receive it on your behalf if you are unavailable.

You can request multiple copies or combine documents in one transaction. For high-volume or recurring needs (e.g., law firms or due diligence companies), the platform handles larger orders, though very large requests may take slightly longer.

Alternative and Special Situations

Publicly listed corporations: Start with the free disclosures on PSE EDGE. For an official SEC-certified GIS, still use the Express System.
Digital viewing/download: Use the eSEARCH platform when you need quick access to the filed document without waiting for physical delivery.
Older GIS records: The Express System and eSEARCH generally allow requests for documents on file, not only the latest one. Specify the year or filing date if you need a historical version.
Foreign corporations licensed in the Philippines: They file GIS based on the anniversary of their SEC license; the same request process applies.
One Person Corporations (OPCs) and non-stock corporations: They also file GIS; the process is identical.

Important Considerations for Foreigners, OFWs, and Overseas Requesters

The online nature of the SEC Express System makes it accessible even if you are abroad, provided you have a Philippine delivery address or a trusted representative in the country. Many overseas Filipinos authorize a relative or friend to receive the courier package.

If you need the GIS for use outside the Philippines (foreign banks, embassies, or courts in Hague Apostille Convention countries), request a certified true copy from the SEC first. Then bring or send that document to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for apostille authentication. The DFA apostille process has its own requirements, fees, and processing times — check the official DFA website for the latest guidelines. An apostilled SEC GIS carries official weight internationally.

Payment methods like GCash and Maya are widely used by OFWs through linked accounts. International credit cards are also accepted on the platform.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Relying on an outdated GIS: Always request the most recent filing. The document itself shows the date it was submitted to the SEC.
Search problems: Slight variations in company name or using a trade name instead of the legal name cause failed searches. Use the SEC Registration Number whenever possible.
Non-compliant companies: Some corporations file late or not at all. The GIS you receive will reflect the last successful filing. In important transactions, supplement it with direct verification or other records (BIR, LGU permits, court cases).
Assuming the information is 100% current: The GIS is a point-in-time filing. Major changes (new directors, ownership transfers) should trigger updates, but enforcement is not instantaneous.
Purpose of request: Be ready to indicate the purpose (due diligence, loan application, litigation, etc.) if asked. Honest disclosure helps avoid processing issues.
Delivery delays: Provincial or remote areas, or periods right after major filing deadlines, can experience backlogs. Order early when possible.

If you discover significant discrepancies between the GIS and other information the company provided, you may report it to the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is included in the latest GIS form?
It contains the corporation’s basic details, full lists of directors/trustees and officers with their personal information and positions, stockholders or members with shareholdings, capital structure, and — in the 2026 form — beneficial ownership details identifying the ultimate owners or controllers.

How much does it cost to get a copy of the GIS?
Fees vary based on pages, copy type (plain or certified), quantity, and delivery location. They generally start in the low hundreds of pesos plus per-page and courier charges. Exact pricing appears during the ordering process on secexpress.ph. Updated (reduced) fees for many IT-related services took effect in June 2026.

How long does it take to receive the GIS after requesting it?
Processing plus courier delivery usually takes 3–5 working days in Metro Manila and up to 7 working days in the provinces once the SEC releases the documents. You can track progress online or by calling the hotline.

Can I request the GIS online without going to any SEC office?
Yes. The SEC Express System at secexpress.ph handles almost all document requests online with courier delivery. In-person requests are no longer the primary option under the current Zero Face-to-Face policy.

Is the GIS a public document? Can anyone request it?
Yes. It is an official public corporate record maintained by the SEC. Any interested person — individual, company, or foreigner — may request it through the proper channels.

Can foreigners or people living abroad request a GIS?
Yes. The online system accepts requests from anyone with valid contact details and a Philippine delivery address. For use abroad, have the certified copy apostilled by the DFA afterward.

What if the company has not filed its latest GIS yet?
You will receive the most recent one on file. Persistent non-filing is a compliance issue the SEC monitors, but the last filed GIS remains publicly available.

Do I need a lawyer or special authorization to request a GIS?
No. Any individual can request it directly online for their own use or on behalf of another party by providing the necessary details.

How do I verify that the GIS I received is authentic?
Documents from the SEC Express System come with official authentication. For extra assurance in critical matters, you can cross-check key details with the company directly or through other government records, or contact the SEC for verification.

Are there differences between requesting a GIS for a regular private corporation versus a publicly listed company?
The request process through SEC Express is the same. However, listed companies also file extensive disclosures on the PSE EDGE portal, which are often freely accessible and can serve as a good preliminary source.

Key Takeaways

The GIS is the primary official source for a Philippine corporation’s current directors, officers, and ownership structure.
The most practical way to obtain it in 2026 is through the online SEC Express System at secexpress.ph, which offers both plain and certified true copies with nationwide courier delivery.
Always start with free verification tools (SEC CheckApp, PSE EDGE for listed companies, or eSEARCH) to confirm details and avoid unnecessary fees.
Request the most recent filing and understand that it reflects information as of the submission date.
Foreigners and overseas Filipinos can use the same online process; for international use, add DFA apostille authentication on the certified copy.
Cross-verify GIS information with other sources when making important financial or legal decisions, as it is self-reported by the corporation.

With these steps, you can confidently obtain and use SEC GIS records for whatever legitimate purpose you need — whether protecting an investment, completing a transaction, or simply understanding who stands behind a Philippine company. The systems are designed to be accessible; using them correctly gives you reliable, official information you can act on.