A Business Name (BN) refers to any name, other than your true name, that you use in connection with your business.
If you are doing business using a name other than your true name, then you are required to register that business name with the Department of Trade and Industry.
Yes, a Business Name Registration merely provides the business a legal identity; in order to actually operate the business, you need a Business/Mayor’s Permit.
Any Filipino who is at least 18 years of age can register a business name. Foreign nationals who are authorized to do business in the Philippines under existing statutes may also register.
Yes. A foreign national and refugee/stateless person should be at least 18 years of age to register a business name.
A Non-Philippine national also needs to obtain a Certificate of Registration of Sole Proprietorship/Certificate of Authority to Engage in Business in the Philippines pursuant to RA 7042 (Foreign Investment Act).
For a Refugee or stateless person, he/she needs to be issued a written recognition from the Refugee and Stateless person Protection Unit of the Department of Justice (DOJ-RSPPU), and whose recognition is not subject to cancellation, revocation, or cessation, in accordance with applicable government rules and regulations.
Click here for the list of the documentary requirements.
Our business name registration guide can be found in this link.
Registration fees will be based on your chosen territorial scope:
Barangay - PhP 200
City/Municipality - PhP 500
Regional - PhP 1,000
National - PhP 2,000
All registration fees are subject to an additional PhP 30 Documentary Stamp Tax.
An additional 50% will be charged for late filing of your Business Name Registration.
Yes, BN Registrations can be filed by a representative as long as he/she provides a valid ID and an authorization letter signed by the business owner together with the other requirements.
Territorial Scope refers to the extent of the geographical area within which the pertinent business may locate its offices, stores, shops, branches, manufacturing or processing plants, or other business structures, or where the pertinent BN may be used without prejudice to engaging in business elsewhere.
It is not to be considered as the geographical limit in which to transact business.
No. Only a partnership or corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can use the words “company”, “corporation” or “incorporated” as part of their business name, while the word “cooperative” can only be used by cooperatives registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
Your Business Name will not be accepted under the following instances:
1. Those that connote activities or norms that are unlawful, immoral, scandalous or contrary to propriety;
2. Those names, words, terms or expressions used to designate or distinguish, or suggestive of quality, of any class of goods, articles, merchandise, products or services;
3. Those that are registered as trade names, trademarks, or business names by any government agency authorized to register names or trademarks;
4. Those that are inimical to the security of the State;
5. Those that are composed purely of generic word or words;
6. Those that by law or regulation are restricted or cannot be appropriated;
7. Those that are officially used by the government in its non-proprietary functions;
8. Those names or abbreviations of any nation, intergovernmental or international organization unless authorized by competent authority of that nation, inter-government or international organization;
9. Those ordered or declared by administrative agencies/bodies or regular court not to be registered;
10. Those names of other persons;
11. Those names which are deceptive, misleading or which misrepresent the nature of business.
You may request for a Certified True Copy of your Certificate of BN Registration at selected DTI Office* with the following requirements:
1. Submission of Other BN-Related Application Form (Annex D)
2. Presentation of a valid ID as indicated in (Annex A)
3. Payment of fee prescribed in (Annex E)
*Call your DTI Regional or Provincial Office first and inquire the nearest DTI Office or Negosyo Center you can avail the service. Click the link to access the DTI Directory of Key Officials: https://www.dti.gov.ph/contact/.
Only typographical errors made in a new registration can be corrected. You may email your concern to bnrshelpdesk@dtiphmail.dti.gov.ph with your name, business name, correction and attached government ID for validation.
If you will change information such as residence address, business address, or name and civil status please go to the selected DTI Office* near your area.
*Call your DTI Regional or Provincial Office first and inquire the nearest DTI Office or Negosyo Center you can avail the service. Click the link to access the DTI Directory of Key Officials: https://www.dti.gov.ph/contact/.
Yes. To resume your registration after a pause, go to Transaction Inquiry under the Business Name Services heading. Input your reference code and click on your business name. Scroll down and click the resume button.
The BN registration is valid for five (5) years from the date of registration.
BNRS has an online payment facility that accepts GCash, PayMaya e-wallet and Credit/Debit Card. You may also pay over-the-counter (7/11 and Bayad Center) or through bank deposit by choosing Landbank Link.Biz.
After paying the BN Registration fee, there will be no other payments to be made with BNRS.
You may download your certificate by typing in your Reference Code found in Transaction Inquiry. A verification code will be sent to the email address you provided in your registration. Use the verification code to access the Transaction Summary. From there, you can access your certificate in Downloadable Contents.
Kindly check if the verification code was sent to your Spam/Junk email. If there is still no email with the verification code, you might not have provided an active email address. Send an email at bnrshelpdesk@dtiphmail.dti.gov.ph for assistance.
Input your Reference Code in Transaction Inquiry. Click your business name and scroll down until you see Cancel Transaction. This will cancel your reserved BN and reference code.
Send your proof of transaction and government-issued ID to bnrshelpdesk@dtiphmail.dti.gov.ph to verify your registration and payment. The help desk will reply with the status of your payment and the next steps in your registration process.
Yes, the territorial scope of a registered BN may be changed subject to the specific provision of registrability. The change shall have the effect of a new application, which includes the issuance of a new Certification of BN Registration a new validity period.
Change/Upgrade of BN Territorial Scope can be applied at the selected DTI Office* near your area.
*Call your DTI Regional or Provincial Office first and inquire the nearest DTI Office or Negosyo Center you can avail the service. Click the link to access the DTI Directory of Key Officials: https://www.dti.gov.ph/contact/.
No. Transfer of ownership is not allowed. You must cancel your old BN registration then apply for a new one under the new ownership.
Early Filing – One Hundred Eighty (180) Calendar Days prior to the expiration date
Regular Filing – Within ninety (90) calendar days following the expiration of the registration
Late Filing or Grace Period – Within ninety (90) calendar days after the Regular Filing period subject to a payment of a surcharge of fifty percent (50%) of the registration fee.
All BN registrations not renewed within the grace period shall be immediately cancelled and shall be made available for registration by other parties subject to existing rules on registrability.
Yes, you can apply for a cancellation of BN registration at selected DTI Office* for any of the following reasons:
1. Cessation of business operations prior to the expiry date of the existing registration;
2. Sale or transfer of the business to any other person;
3. Upon BN owner’s conclusive determination that a prior owner and lawful user of an identical or confusingly similar BN exists;
4. Upon transfer of the business to another geographical location beyond or outside the registered BN's territorial scope.
You can watch this video for a step-by-step guide on how to cancel your BN registration.
*Call your DTI Regional or Provincial Office first and inquire the nearest DTI Office or Negosyo Center where you can avail the service. Click the link to access the DTI Directory of Key Officials: https://www.dti.gov.ph/contact/.
DTI may cause the mandatory cancellation of a BN registration in any of the following instances:
1. For violations enumerated in Rule X, Section 1 (Grounds for Revocation) of the DAO 18-07 after due notice and hearing;
2. Upon order by an administrative body, court or tribunal, which has become final and executory;
3. Upon receipt of notice of cancellation of the BN owner’s business permit or license issued by any government regulatory agency for the conduct of business;
4. Cancellation, revocation or cessation of recognized refugee or stateless person status in accordance with the DOJ Department Circular No. 58 dated 1 October 2012 including all future amendments, modifications, or revisions thereof.
DTI also has the authority to cancel a registered BN under any of the following instances:
1. Failure to renew the BN registration within the grace period;
2. Death of the owner – upon receipt of information about the death of the registered BN owner from a relative (informant). They shall sign and submit Other BN-Related Application Form together with a clear certified copy of the death certificate of the registered BN owner and a copy of the relative’s valid ID.
(Rule XI, Section 1) The public’s right of access to information is recognized, subject to the limitations provided by applicable laws, rules and regulations, and payment of applicable fees. Such information deemed available to the public shall, upon request, may be disclosed in the form of a Certification.
Yes, certification related to the Certificate of BN Registration may be provided to a requesting party by submitting the requirements and paying the prescribed fee at any DTI office or through the web-enabled BN Registration System.
Requests for other personal/classified/confidential information may be granted upon the written consent of the owner or when subpoenaed by the courts.
Registered BNs may also be verified through the search facility of the web-enabled BN Registration System.
Making changes such as residential/business address or owner’s name by virtue of marriage or judicial decree can be made in the selected DTI Office near your area.
Click the link for the checklist on Updating Owner's Name or Changing Other Business Information.
Call your DTI Regional or Provincial Office first and inquire the nearest DTI Office or Negosyo Center you can avail the service. Click the link to access the DTI Directory of Key Officials: https://www.dti.gov.ph/contact/.