A. How do I apply for a Business Name?

You may apply directly with the DTI office where your business will be located or through the online
facility, Web-Enabled Business Name Registration System (WEBNRS) http://www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph.
1. Choose a Business Name
We suggest you think of at least three business names in case your first preference cannot be registered.
If the name you have chosen is already similar or confusingly similar to a registered business name, your
next preferred business name will be considered.
2. What is an acceptable business name?
In determining whether a proposed business name for registration is acceptable, the following factors
shall be considered:

The root word or words of the name shall be considered. (e.g. "Island" instead of "Islander")
The business name should describe the nature of the business.
It should be comprised solely of any or all of the following:
o
Letters, numerals, and punctuation marks that are part of the English and Filipino
language.
Names which are not acceptable:

Those which are or whose nature of business is illegal, offensive, scandalous, or contrary to
propriety.
Those which are identical or nearly resemble business names already registered with the
Department of Trade and Industry, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative
Development Agency (CDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or any other
government office authorized by law to register names, because these are likely to cause
confusion or mistake in the minds of the public and prejudice the interest of the owner of the
registered business name or firm name taking into consideration the following:
o nature of the business
o product/service handled
o spelling, sound and meaning
o use of dominant/descriptive words and
o such other factors as maybe determined by the BTRCP Director

Names composed purely of generic words;

Name which by law or regulation cannot be appropriated;
Names, words, terms, or expressions used to designate or distinguish, or suggestive of quality
of any class of goods, articles, merchandise, or service;
Names or styles used by the government in its governmental functions;
The names or abbreviation of names, of any nation, inter-governmental or international
organization unless authorized by the competent authority of that nation, inter-governmental or
international organizations;
Names which are deceptive, misleading or which misrepresent the nature of the business;

Such other names which in the opinion of the Director are undesirable or analogous to the
above.
3. Search for a Business Name
An online search facility is provided in the WEBNRS for you to find registered business names in the
Philippines. The search facility should not be used to determine the availability of a business name for
registration. This can only be determined at the time of lodgment of an application to register a business
name.
There are two (2) search criteria available for the public, namely Begins With and Contains. You can
conduct a search by typing the exact business name or a few words contained in a business name.
(It would be best to enter the name you have chosen in the space provided exactly as you would like it to
be registered.) for BN registration ang statement na ito
4. Register your Business Name
How do I complete the application?
Complete BTRCP Form No. 16. Information marked with an asterisk (*) is a required field to be filled
out. Otherwise, you will receive an error message prompting you to fill them before the succeeding page
is displayed.
5. Submit Documentary Requirements
The list of documentary requirements to be submitted to the proper DTI Office where your business is
located is indicated in the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) Acknowledgement found in the last page
of the online application form.
The TRN Acknowledgement form should be signed and submitted to DTI also.
6. Pay your Application
Payment of application fee can be made at the DTI office indicated in your Transaction Reference
Number (TRN) acknowledgment form.
You have the option to pay through GCash. (To avail of GCash services, you have to register with
GLOBE).
Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

B. What do I need to register my business name?

For Single Proprietorship
1.
2.

Must be a Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old

Filipinos whose names are suggestive of alien nationality must submit proof of citizenship
such as birth certificate, PRC ID, voter's ID, passport
(a) if the applicant has a foreign sounding name, acquired Filipino citizenship by naturalization,
election or by other means provided by law, he must submit proof of his Filipino citizenship such
as:
o Naturalization certificate and Oath of Allegiance,
o Affidavit of election or ID card issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, or
o Valid ID card issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) or Professional
Regulatory Commission (PRC)

3.

Processing fee of P150.00 + P15.00 Documentary Stamp

For Foreign Investor (Single Proprietorship)

1.

Photocopy of Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) updated the current year. Present original
for comparison.
2.
Accomplished DTI Form No.17 under R.A. 7042.
3.
Current written appointment of Filipino Resident Agent.
4.
Clearance from other involved agencies such as Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), PNP etc.
5.
In case of alien retailer, current year's permit to engage in retail business per R.A. 1180.
For Special Documentary Requirements

Copy of Certificate of Business Name Registration of the main office/establishment.

Bulk Sales Certificate, if the business name was obtained pursuant to Act No.3952 as
amended, (The Bulk Sales Law) and Affidavit executed by the transferee-applicant
DTI Accreditation Certificate for applicants engaged in repair service covered by and pursuant
to Presidential Decree No. 1572 and its implementing Rules and Regulation, as amended.
DTI Accreditation Certificate for applicants engaged in importation, manufacture, sale or
servicing of the fire extinguisher, supplies and equipment pursuant to Presidential Decree 721 and
its Implementing Rules and Regulation, as amended.
DTI Bonded Warehouse License for applicants engaged in the business of "warehouse" as
defined under Act 3893, as amended (Bonded Warehouse Act)
DTI issued Certificate of Authority for applicants engaging as merchandise or ship broker as
defined under Act 2728 (Law on Brokerage Business)
Consent Agreement, or equivalent contract if a business is covered by a Franchise or similar
agreement.
Affidavit executed by all compulsory heirs authorizing a representative to renew a business
name under the name of the deceased registrant solely for the purpose of winding up the business
operation
Deed of Sale, Assignment or Transfer, as the case may be, and a notarized written waiver from
further use of the same business name, in cases contemplated

Affidavit executed by the applicant declaring his/her relationship with the deceased registrant
within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity and a notarized consent and waiver
executed by all the compulsory heirs or other legal heirs, in the absence of compulsory heirs

Affidavit executed by the registrant declaring that the purpose of registration is to perpetuate
the memory of the deceased in his/her expertise or interest and a notarized consent and waiver
executed by all the compulsory heirs or other legal heirs, in the absence of compulsory heirs

Such other documents required in this Order, those as may be required in subsequent laws and
regulations and those which in the opinion of the Director are necessary to protect the interest of
the government and the public.
The applicant shall undertake to execute the following:

Declare that all information supplied in the application filed are true and correct to the best of
her/his belief and knowledge;

Declare that any false or misleading information supplied, or production of materially false or
misleading document to support the application shall be a ground for the appropriate criminal,
civil and/or administrative action against the registrant; and

Change and/or cancel the registered business name in the event that there is already another
person, firm or entity lawfully using a similar or confusingly similar business name
Signatories
The signatories of application for registration are as follows:

For individual applicants, the applicant himself; or by the person holding power of attorney for
the him if the application is under a special power of attorney

If the application is signed by a person holding power of attorney for the applicant, the
application shall be accepted provided that the original power of attorney is presented and a copy
thereof submitted as part of the supporting documents.

C. What happens after submitting my application?

The registrant should comply with all the necessary requirements for registration within fifteen (15)
workings days for the application to be processed. Otherwise, the application shall be considered
abandoned.
If the proposed names can no longer be registered, or when a document is rejected, the applicant shall be
informed to resubmit proposed names or the required documents, as the case may be, within the fifteen
(15) working days from notification.
Failure to resubmit the same within the prescribed period shall be deemed abandonment of the application
and the corresponding fee or fees paid shall not be refunded.

Proper Agencies for Business Name Registration

Depending on your business structure, here are the following agencies that you need to get a certificate of
business name registration from:

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for sole proprietorship

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for partnerships or corporations
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for cooperatives
For this post, we'll be discussing DTI business name registration. So, sole proprietors, listen up!

Business Name Approval

For your business name to be registered at DTI, it needs to be approved first. According to DTI, it's your
responsibility to ensure that your proposed business name is NOT:

To be used for business that is illegal, offensive, scandalous, or contrary to propriety

(e.g. Popoy's Jueteng Betting Place, Boobs Massage Services);
Identical or which nearly resemble business names already registered with government office
authorized to register names
(e.g. Starbax Cafe, Nasyonal Bookstore);
Composed purely of generic words
(e.g. Cubao, The Drinking Place);
A name by which by law or regulation cannot be appropriated
(e.g. Intelligence, State College, CALABARZON);

Used to designate or distinguish or suggest the quality of any class of goods, articles merchandise
or service
(e.g. Best Sisig Factory, Top 1 Repair Shop);

An abbreviation of names of any nation, inter-governmental or international organization

(e.g. WHO Marketing, DTI Health Services);

Misleading, deceptive or which misrepresent the nature of business
(e.g. XYZ Marketing Services where the business is actually of business nature)

General Instructions in Registering Business Name

You can either apply online or over-the-counter. I'd advise you to do over-the-counter instead so that you
can be able to ask questions personally. Also, when I went there, most application forms of online
applicants were misplaced so it was actually inconvenient. We'll be talking about OTC business name
registration at DTI here.
1. To save you the hassle of being asked to go to another office, find out which area office you should
go to.

2. Accomplish the application form through the office itself. Only the owner of the business or his/her
Attorney-in-Fact (who is authorized in a proper legal instrument) is authorized to sign all the forms.

Business Details
Business Location: Indicate full business address. Make sure that your address is correct as
officials are very particular about this.
TIN: Indicate the TIN duly issued by BIR to you as an individual taxpayer.

Owner's Details
Must be of legal age (at least 18 years old)
For Filipino applicants, present (1) nationally-issued valid ID:

Birth certificate

PRC ID

Voters ID

Valid passport.

For Foreign nationals, present the following, if applicable:

Certificate of Authority to Engage Business in the Philippines

Certificate of Authority to Engage in Retail Trade

3. Submit duly filled out application form to the DTI processor. If it's available, good for you! If it's not,
then, think of a better business name and try again. You can even ask the official for some help.
4. Pay the applicable fees and get the receipt.

Applicable Fees

Business Name Registration Fee

Barangay - P 200.00

City/Municipality - P 500.00

Regional - P 1,000.00

National - P 2,000.00

Documentary Stamp Tax - P 15.00

Surcharge for late Renewal Application - 50% of Registration Fee

5. Show the receipt to the Processor and wait for your Business Name Certificate to be released. It'll only
take about ten minutes or so.
6. Give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back. Great work, your business name is now registered with
DTI Philippines!