Starting a business in the Philippines requires registration of your business name to ensure it's legally recognized and protected. This guide outlines the process of how to register your business name in Philippines, whether you're setting up a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

Determine Your Business Structure

Before you register your business name, you need to identify the type of business you're starting. The most common business structures in the Philippines are:

• Sole Proprietorship: A business owned by a single individual. Registration is simpler compared to other structures.
• Partnership: A business owned by two or more people. It involves sharing of profits, losses, and liabilities.
• Corporation: A separate legal entity owned by shareholders. It involves more complex regulations and processes.

Once you’ve decided on the type of business, you can move forward with the registration.

Prepare a List of Potential Business Names

It's essential to have a few alternative names in case your first choice is already taken or too similar to an existing business name. When coming up with your business name, follow these guidelines:

• It should be unique and not similar to existing registered names.
• It should not contain words or phrases prohibited by law, like obscene or misleading terms.
• The name must reflect your business activity.

Register Your Business Name

For Sole Proprietorship:

Sole proprietors should register their business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

1.      Check Name Availability: Use the DTI’s online Business Name Registration System (BNRS) to check if your chosen business name is available. You can access this at bnrs.dti.gov.ph.

2.      Submit an Application: Once you've chosen an available name, you can register online via the DTI BNRS portal. Fill out the necessary information, such as:

• Business name
• Business scope (barangay, city/municipality, regional, or national)
• Owner’s information
• Nature of business

3.      Pay the Registration Fee: The registration fee varies based on your business scope:

• Barangay: PHP 200
• City/Municipality: PHP 500
• Regional: PHP 1,000
• National: PHP 2,000 An additional PHP 30 service fee applies to all transactions.

4.      Receive Certificate of Business Name Registration: After paying the fees, the system will generate your Certificate of Business Name Registration, which is valid for five years. You can print this certificate or save it for future reference.

For Partnerships and Corporations:

Partnerships and corporations must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Here are the steps:

1.      Reserve a Business Name: Visit the SEC’s online platform (https://apps010.sec.gov.ph/) to reserve your business name. The system will check for availability and reserve the name for you for 30 days.

2.      Submit Registration Documents: Submit the necessary documents depending on your business structure:

• Articles of Incorporation or Partnership
• By-laws (for corporations)
• Treasurer’s affidavit (for corporations)
• Other relevant documents required by the SEC

3.      Pay the Filing Fee: Filing fees vary based on your company's authorized capital. You can pay through SEC’s accredited payment channels.

4.      Receive Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership: Once everything is approved, the SEC will issue your Certificate of Incorporation (for corporations) or Certificate of Partnership (for partnerships). These serve as proof that your business is legally registered.

Register with Other Government Agencies

After registering your business name, you need to comply with other government regulations to operate legally:

1.      Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR):

• Register for a Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• Obtain an Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices.
• Pay your annual registration fee (usually PHP 500).

2.      Social Security System (SSS): Register your employees with the SSS for their mandatory contributions.

3.      PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG:

• Register for employee health insurance (PhilHealth) and housing development (Pag-IBIG) funds.

4.      Local Government Unit (LGU):

• Obtain a Barangay Clearance and Mayor’s Permit from the local government where your business will operate.

Renew Your Business Name

Your business name registration is valid for five years. You must renew it before it expires to avoid penalties and to keep your business legally recognized.

Final Thoughts

Registering your business name in the Philippines is a crucial step in setting up a legitimate and professional enterprise. By following this guide, you’ll be able to navigate the registration process smoothly, ensuring your business is ready to operate legally and grow in the future.