How to register your business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines? If you are planning to establish a business, a trade name is an essential part of your business existence. That is why you should take time for brainstorming to come up with a company name that is both unique and appealing to your potential customers. Your trade name is what you will always use when dealing with your clients or customers. It is the name that will be stated in your certificates of registration with different agencies, in your official receipts and invoices, in your contracts and in other business forms.
If you are forming a single proprietorship business, it is required that you secure a certificate of registration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Otherwise, if you’re forming a partnership or a corporation, you should first register your business with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). After securing a SEC certificate of registration, although not required, you may also wish to register your name with the DTI to ensure that no other individuals or organizations would register a name similar to yours.
The DTI is the primary government agency with the dual mission of facilitating the creation of a business environment wherein participants could compete, flourish, and succeed and, at the same time, ensuring consumer welfare. DTI also governs the registration of business and trade names in the Philippines. The following are steps and guidelines to register your business name with the DTI:
Choose your proposed business name
Before you register your business with the DTI, you should be ready with your proposed business name. The following are guidelines for an acceptable and not acceptable business name:
Acceptable business names:
- The root word or words of the name shall be considered.
- Describes the nature of business
- Comprised solely of letters and/or numerals
- Punctuation that are part of English and Filipino language
Names that are not acceptable:
- Those which are or whose nature of business is illegal, offensive, scandalous, or contrary to propriety.
- Those which are identical or which nearly resemble business names already registered with government office authorized to register names.
- Names composed purely of generic words.
- Names by which by law or regulation cannot be appropriated.
- Distinguished or suggestive of quality of any class of goods, articles merchandise or service.
- Abbreviation of names of any nation, inter-governmental or international organization
- Names which are misleading, deceptive or which misrepresent the nature of business
Steps for over-the-counter registration
A. Obtain application forms (duplicate copy) and fill these up completely. 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.
B. Meet the following requirements (For Single Proprietorship):
• Must be a Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old. Filipinos with names suggestive of alien nationality must submit any of the following proof of citizenship: birth certificate, PRC ID, voter’s ID, or valid passport. If the applicant has acquired Filipino citizenship by naturalization, election, or by other means provided by law, he must submit any of the following proof of his Filipino citizenship: naturalization certificate and oath of allegiance, card issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation and affidavit of election, or ID card issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.
• Certain types of business may have other requirements such as service and repair shops, real estate brokers, dental/medical clinic/hospitals, pawnshops, manpower services, engineering/architectural services and other services provided by professionals.
C. Submit application form to the DTI Processor. The DTI Processor will check if the Business Name is still available, if yes, you will be asked to pay the application fee.
D. Pay the required registration and processing fee.
New BN registration fees in effect
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now implementing the following registration fees for business name registration (original and renewal) depending on the territorial jurisdiction covered in the application:
a. Barangay: PHP 200.00
b. City / Municipality: PHP 500.00
c. Regional: PHP 1,000.00
d. National: PHP 2,000.00
For more information, please call DTI Direct at 751.3330.
E. After showing the receipt to the Processor, the Business Name Certificate will be released.
F. Your Business Name Certificate is valid for 5 years from date of registration.
Register Online at www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph
1. Fill out application form by typing the required information (proposed business name, TIN, name of registrant, address, etc.,).
2. Submit online and you will receive transaction reference number acknowledgment via e-mail.
3. Submit the necessary documentation mention in the acknowledgment in DTI office in your area. The reserve business name online is only up to 3 working days.
4. Pay your application. Payment can be through GCash or at the DTI teller. Fees will depend on the territorial jurisdiction covered in the application (barangay, City/municipality, regional or national).
Victorino Q. Abrugar is a marketing strategist and business consultant from Tacloban City, Philippines. Vic has been in the online marketing industry for more than 7 years, practicing problogging, web development, content marketing, SEO, social media marketing, and consulting.
hi good day. I’m a student and doing our feasibilty study, do we need to register our company name?
Ask ko lng kung kailangan ba na registred sa DTI ang online paluwagan?
Hi Vic,
I am a foreigner, and act with local theater, film, and TV. Recently the BIR has required that all actors issue registered receipts when paid talent fees for their services. To acquire a BIR-registered book of receipts I must register first as a business with the DTI. A requirement of the DTI is that I be a Filipino citizen. It is lawful to perform in a Philippine production as a foreigner in a role judged to be most appropriate to that foreigner – indeed, that is what casting is about. How, then, am I to fulfill the BIR’s requirements, and get paid?
Hi, for business registration and bookkeeping services please contact us at (02) 8314304 or visit our office at 2805 Pilapil St., San Rafael, Pasay City (Front of LRT-EDSA Station)
Thanks
Hi Sir Vic (and to everyone else concerned),
DTI BNRS only covers business name registrations, which is different from a trademark/trade name. The latter’s registration at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will give the owner the exclusive right to use the mark and prevent others from using it without their permission.
You may visit the link below to learn more:
http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/index.php/services/trademark/about-trademark
Hi,
someone told me that you can run a business in a month or two and if it did went well then thats the right tome to register it through dti or sec?is there something like that?
I want to register my dance team’s name. It won’t actually be used for business. Is this possible? Thanks and hope to hear form you!
My client wants to change the ownership of the business name. Where can we download the form with this purpose. Thnx
I am planning to register my online business (Website Design and Development). My problem is, how does a virtual office work?.. i don’t want to use my home address as my business address. Also, what will be the scope of my registration since i can cater to anyone even overseas.
Im hoping for your quick response.. Thank you in advance..
Ano po ang dapat Kong gawin kung ang business name ko sa DTI ay may kaparehong pangalan as SEC?
My sister is planning to put up a Bakeshop, what are the steps or requirements needed?
Can she used our home address as the business address though there’s a place for the shop.
Thanks
Hi. I need help on how to register a business. My boss instructed me to apply for a business permit for a travel and tour agency using his DTI Registered Business Name DSJ Business Center. At the same time I am registering online for booking services and they request that our company name should emphasize the word “travel and tour” but my boss said he use DSJ Business Center for the purpose of getting another business permit for a different kind of business (unified). My question is, is it possible to obtain only one DTI and one business permit uniting all businesses like insurance, travel and tours, and food manufacturing? Or one DTI but many business permits. Please help me, thanks.
Good day!! I just wanted to ask about the requirements for registering a church ( TO GOD BE THE GLORY). Looking forward for your reply.
Thank you and Godbless!!
Asked lang po sana ako kung ok lang mag operate and maliit na store na DTI at Business Permit lang ang gamit. Small store lang po naman pero na commercial building sya. Thanks po
Sir gud morning ask lng kung ang business ko po ay xerox copier lng po, malapit kc ako sa school kya un ang business na tinayo ko, ano po ba ang requirements pra sa business ko.tnx
does the scope referred to in the business name operation pertain to scope of operations of the business? does that mean that if you registered for a particular region, you cannot do business in a different region?
Hi Sir Vic!
Can i use the same business name like ” ABC enterprise for a multiple type of businesses?
Thank you. I am hoping for a clarity with this matter.
Good morning,
Meron po ba legal steps..doon sa mga spouses engaged proprietorship without proper consent of their spouse?
Hi.im ivan… I would like to inquire…paano po makakapag register online, ng may partner na foreigner?
What are the requirements?
How much po ang fee?
Pls reply po sa email ko. ivanrusselbarsana(@)gmail.com
Pag dito po kadi ang repky,Hindi ko po mababasa…
Maraming salamat po..
hi,
i just want to ask..can i register with the DTI two business trade name under my name, simultaneously?
thanks,
ria
Hi,sir.
Ask ko lang po.I have my dti already but then yuNg scope ko ay” bArangay “lang ,home based lang kasi yUng business ko at ng rerent lang kami.Plan na kasi naming mgtransfer nang same city but different barangay,pwde ko ba ding magamit ang DTI CERTIFICATE KO .Hindi ba ako makoquestion?.hope for your response..worried talaga.
Thank you and godbless
Hi sir I am planning to put up enterprise (sole), (1) is it ok with the DTI that my primary purpose are: labor manpower, construction, etc.,before I am planning to put up for Corporation but SEC told me that there should always be 1 primary purpose either labor manpower or construction even if putting in secondary purposes is not allowed with SEC because of the scope of work labor manpower (DOLE) and Construction (DTI PCAB License). (2?) In SEC if your primary purpose is labor manpower your name should have the word MANPOWER, or if its construction your name should have word CONSTRUCTION. (3?) is it ok with the DTI to have name dealing with these line of business Labor manpower and construction at a time, do they have conflict with the SEC?thanks
Hi. I would like to ask if there is any penalty if I don’t register at BIR? Say I already have a business name at DTI. Since I’m only doing online business and don’t have a physical store. Thanks in advance!
Hi. I would like to ask regarding to my case. Since I’m too young I have no idea what to do on how i can register my business. It was actually my Father’s business I want to put up my own name with the same field. We are engaged in Advertising Signage Maker but in my case I want to register it as a home based cause I do not have any assets yet and I do not have any employees aside from myself because what I will do is passed my work to my father since he is the one who has an ability to hire workers so what I will just do is to add a few percentage to the amount. I want to have a legal business so that I can pass my proposals and bidding to big companies. I need help Thank you very much in advance.
Good day po! ask ko po kung magpaparegister po ng business name sa dti as franchisee, pwede po ba gamitin un brand name, for ex, AQUA AMERICA PURE DRINKING WATER-FRANCHISEE
hello…
how about first time to start business?
can i required toget the dti?
and my planning business…is a piggery
hello…
can you please guide me…how can i do?
or how to get the dti…and my planning business piggery…and rtw?
hai poh pwd po mag ask pa anu mka register po sa business name sa DTI?
hi po. just want to ask kung pwede magput up ng bending shop sa isang residential village? yun pong mga galvanized iron na bine-bend at saka sari-sari yung design ng mga g.i.? pwede po ba yun?
DTI registration is valid for 5 years. What if i will change the category of my business from barangay level to national category, do i have to re process or go back to step 1 ? Will the date of my registration will change?
Hi ask ko lang po since gusto kong ibusiness is SALON ano po ba mas appropriate na piliin sa territorial jurisdiction is it Barangay or City/Municipality ? Near UST po kasi yung location sana na gusto ko.
Please send na lang po sa email ko: rondolojosephine20@gmail.com
Looking forward for your reply
Thank you
sir/madame,
i have an existing business name, its about to expire this november 2016. my plan is to change the first word (garnabe) to another name (GRAVADOR). but the rest will be retained and register it as a renewal. is it alright to take this step?
Sir, good day
Certain types of business may have other requirements such as service and repair shops, real estate brokers, dental/medical clinic/hospitals, pawnshops, manpower services, engineering/architectural services and other services provided by professionals.
isa po ako ofw dito sa middleast. gusto ko po mag bukas ng negosya ng GENERAL MERCHANDISING. ano po ang requirments kailangan ko ipakita.
Hi Sir,
Good Day,
My husband and I are planning a business of exporting baskets using bamboo, rattan & indigenous materials because my husband has a friend in Italy and wanted to try basket from philippines to be display in their store. I know that i have to register first to DTI. then to BIR but what are the next thing we gonna do? What other agencies do we need to apply or other requirements so that we can start it. Does DTI assist a business to be successful because we dont have idea about it.
Thank you & God bless you.
Hi,
As a food franchisee, what are the necessary documents like permits and license before we operate? Do we need DTI ? And what else Sir?
Thank you for your time.
Jojo
hi, i just want to ask, if we are to apply for dti, and its supply of labor for construction , what should we use, is it Arlene Trading or Arlene Services.
Hi Sir! Sa partnership name po ba kailangan may ‘co.’ sa name? or ok lang na walang ‘co.’? Thank you.
hi. is it possible to retrieve the tradename application thru online renewal? and how po? thank u much.
Hi Sir,good day! what is the right thing to do if you want to renew your business and change the type ,, from single proprietorship to partnership or corporation?
Blessed Day!
Nais lang po akong magtanong kung pwede na po bang mag operate o mag opening to be exact kahit hindi pa kami nakapagrehistro sa DTI?Salamat po!
Hi…
Ask lang po ako. Ganito po kc yon. Gusto ko po kmuha ng brgy. Clearance for b-permit in our local brgy. May b-name na po ako. Example: wcy erterprises. Then, they ask me if what specific business daw yong gagawin ko?
Ngayon po hindi ko po talaga alam kong anong klasing nigosyo po ba ang under ng enterprises kc po. Wla po tlaga akong idea..
Hoping for ur kind reply..
Goid Bless po.. And Thank You!
Domestic corporations who may wish to register trade names can use the same ON-LINE BUSINESS,NAME REGISTRATION facility of the DTI? I have been browing the web sites of the dti but I cannot find steps on how to register corporate trade name so with the other sites. I googled but still, i came in the on-facility of the DTI for single proprietorship registration. Please help
I have a question po…. I have already a BIR Cettificate of Registration, sole proprietorship.. I understand that if i want to use just my full name as my trade name, I do not need to register with the DTI… when i applied for COR in BIR, I opted to use just my full name… but when my COR 2303 was released, the trade name written in my COR has some phrases… not just my full name… what should I do? please help me Sir… please…. Thank you so much for your help!!!
hi sir,
Paano kung ang owner ay m[nasa abroad pwde ho ba ako mag register sa DTI sa pangalan mo? At ano po ang mga requirements kung sakaling pwde ako mag register while i’m abroad.
Thank you
Good Day Sir
I am a Filipino Citizen.
I just want to ask you coz I want to open a small lending business in our place.it is only 100k to 150k capital. do I need to secure dti bir or any other papers ?
If so ,please help/tell me how/ what i need to do.
Please I need your reply.
Thank you and God Bless
Joyce
FYI if you’re processing for someone else…
You need to have the original form signed by the owner or else they won’t allow you even if you have an authorization letter. After that you can go to DTI office, just bring the original ID of the owner. The ID is good as authorization letter, but if you can have the letter it’s better right?
But then you can register it online even if it’s for someone else provided you know the info and no signature is needed. So i’m not sure why they need the original form if you have an authorization letter signed by the owner.
I went there twice, first the helpdesk told me a scanned copy of the original is OK. The second day, I have the scanned signed copy, the teller told me they need the original.
hi sir vic is it ok register my trade name now just to secure or keep hold of that name and will use it after a year? Thank you!
Hi Vic. I have a question hope you can answer it for me. My brothers and I open a shop, my brother has its name on business permit. As i am an ofw an very far from phil at that moment. I finances at least 80% of it.
My question, how can i put on legalization that i am also 1 of the owner of the shop?
My wife is scared as to what will happen on d future as the shop name is not under my name.
I do hop you can help me with this matter.
Thank you
Hello. If the business is proprietorship and is named to your brother, then by legality, your brother is the owner of the business. So that you can be a co-owner, you have to register it as a partnership (where you can be one of the partners) or a corporation (where you are one of the stockholders). If it stays as proprietorship and you are financing it, then you may execute a separate agreement involving only you and your brother to ensure that you will receive a consideration for the money you are sending him.
hello… gudpm.. i just want to know the process of business permit with regards to a car wash business because i am planning to put up a business like this in our barangay… what should i do first?
Hi. Consider visiting any Negosyo Center in your area to ask for inquiries and some consultations. DTI’s Negosyo Center may also be located in the City/Town Mayor Business Office. You may ask, if your business will be eligible to be registered as BMBE to get some privileges.
Hi I have regustered my trade name in DTI and I’m about to pay the reg fee but unfortunately I would like to correct it can I do that without that or do I have to cancel the other one and register again?
Hello, visit the DTI office and confirm if your trade name has already been registered in their database. You may ask how to correct it. If you register a new one which is related to the previous one you have registered, it may not be available since they could be similar. The DTI will also give you some suggestions for your trade name to be accepted.
Hi sir,
Good day.
What is the process in changing the name of ownership in the business permit po? And also in the dti? I bought a store from my brother in law the problem is the incoming renewal of permits, kasi naka name sa kanya lahat ng documents.
your answer is highly appreciated .
Thank you po.
What is the form of business ownership? If it’s a proprietorship, then the current business under your brother in law’s name should be closed first with the BIR, then a new business under your name should be registered. It will be a long process, so we would advise that you hire an accountant or tax consultant.