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Seychelles trust formation: steps and documents
Seychelles trust formation follows seven stages: a first conversation, identity checks, structure design, drafting by a law firm, signing, registration and moving the assets. This page walks through each stage and the papers involved, so nothing is missing when a stage begins. Start with a quote.
Reviewed by a senior trust administrator, updated
Seven stages, who does what
Select a stage to read what slows or speeds it.
- First conversation or enquiryYou
- Identity and source-of-wealth checksOne Pacific Trust
- Structure designOne Pacific Trust
- DraftingLaw firm, bank, adviser or trustee
- Signing and acceptanceYou
- RegistrationOne Pacific Trust
- Account opening and transferLaw firm, bank, adviser or trustee
YouOne Pacific TrustLaw firm, bank, adviser or trustee
Key facts
- Trust structure
- A Seychelles trust is of no effect unless made in writing (s. 8)[1]
- Registration
- An approved trustee registers a trustee appointment declaration (s. 11)[1]
- Trustee requirement
- Every trust must have an approved trustee; co-trustees may live abroad (s. 21)[1]
Numbers in brackets point to the Sources list at the end of this page.
How the process runs
First conversation or enquiry
You describe the family, the assets and the aim, and we reply with the questions that matter for your case.
Identity and source-of-wealth checks
We collect your documents and verify them with independent sources.
Structure design
We, the law firm and your tax adviser agree the shape of the trust and the list of assets.
Drafting
The law firm drafts the written deed and helps with your letter of wishes, and you review both with your lawyer.
Signing and acceptance
You sign the deed, and the approved trustee formally accepts office.
Registration
The approved trustee registers a trustee appointment declaration for the trust.
Account opening and transfer
The bank opens the trust account, and each asset is moved into the trustee's name.
Before you start: what you decide
Seychelles trust formation starts with decisions only you can make. Settle these before the first call, even roughly:
- Purpose. An investment portfolio, a family company held abroad, provision for children, or a mix.
- Assets. List each asset and the country where it sits. Land in Seychelles, and shares in a company owning it, cannot go in (s. 10).
- Beneficiaries. Named people, a class such as “my grandchildren”, or both.
- Control. Whether you keep powers under the deed, appoint a protector, or rely on a letter of wishes.
These answers can change later. They give the law firm enough to sketch a structure for the first call.
The overview of trusts in Seychelles explains the main options.
Step by step: from enquiry to signed deed
Two documents anchor the process in Seychelles: the written deed and the trustee appointment declaration. How long each stage takes depends on your papers and on third parties.
- Enquiry. You describe the family, the assets and the aim, and we reply with the questions that matter.
- Identity checks. We verify who you are and where the wealth came from, then share the file with the approved trustee.
- Structure design. We, the law firm and your tax adviser agree the trust form and screen each asset against the land rule (s. 10).
- Drafting. The law firm drafts the deed, which must be in writing (source: Trusts Act 2021, s. 8). You write a letter of wishes and review both with your own lawyer.
- Signing. You sign, and the approved trustee accepts office. The law firm confirms the signing formalities.
- Registration. The approved trustee then registers a trustee appointment declaration for the trust (s. 11).
- Funding. The bank opens the account, and each asset moves into the trustee’s name.
Every trust must have an approved trustee, and co-trustees may live outside Seychelles (s. 21).
A trust company in Seychelles holds office as trustee, and we coordinate the papers and reporting around it; your engagement letter sets out its role.
The cost guide lists who charges for which step.
Documents the trustee asks for
The approved trustee needs papers in three groups: who you are, where the wealth came from, and what goes into the deed.
| Document | From whom | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Passport and a recent utility bill or bank letter | Settlor, protector, anyone with control | Identity and address |
| Career summary and source of wealth papers | Settlor | How the wealth was built |
| Bank statements for the first transfer | Settlor | Where the settled funds come from |
| Beneficiary names and dates of birth | Each named beneficiary | Identification |
| Register of members and ownership chart | Any company going into the trust | Ownership, control and a check for Seychelles land |
We send this as a checklist.
The trustee says which languages it accepts, and documents in other languages may need a certified translation. If a paper is old or hard to get, tell us early; another document can often show the same fact.
Identity and source-of-funds checks
These checks come first, and every later stage waits on them. The trustee identifies the settlor, any protector and anyone else who controls the trust.
It also needs papers that show where the wealth came from, such as sale contracts, company accounts or an inheritance record.
If we do not meet you in person, we add at least one further step, such as a second identity document or a first payment from an account in your own name.
If anyone connected with the trust holds or has held a senior public role, enhanced checks apply, and a senior manager approves the relationship first.
The approved trustee and the bank run their own checks too, so some questions may come twice.
After the trust is set up
Once the assets are in, routine administration starts. The trustee holds meetings when decisions are needed and keeps minutes and accounts.
Its accounting records are lodged in Seychelles (s. 27), so statements from banks abroad go to the trustee on a set schedule.
The trustee collects tax residence forms from the settlor, the beneficiaries and others who control the trust. The tax and reporting page covers what is filed.
Your letter of wishes can be updated whenever the family changes.
The legal features of Seychelles trusts explain which powers the law allows you to keep, and the frequently asked questions cover the rest.
Request a quote for Seychelles or share what you are planning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does set-up take in Seychelles?
It depends on how complete your documents are and on third parties: the law firm, the approved trustee, the bank and the registration step. Identity and wealth checks take longest when papers are old or held abroad. Once your papers are in, you get a plan with each step.
Which documents do I need for a trust in Seychelles?
You need a passport and proof of address, evidence of where your money and wealth came from, details of each beneficiary, and ownership papers for any company going into the trust. A list of the assets and where they sit lets the law firm screen them early.
Can I set up a trust in Seychelles from abroad?
Yes in principle. The trustee verifies who you are wherever you live, usually with an extra step if you are not met in person. Your lawyer at home confirms the structure is lawful where you live. Signing can usually be arranged where you are, with the law firm confirming the formalities.
Sources
- Official Gazette: Trusts Act 2021 (Act 34 of 2021), read 2026-11-05.