A Quick Guide to DTI Business Registration

Published on February 22, 2021 – Posted by: BAIVI Admin

Choosing a business name should be given much thought. It serves as the branding of your company, so it should be catchy and easily recalled.

Aside from coming up with the perfect name for your business, you should also take time to register it with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry).

Registering business names is essential in the Philippines. According to Republic Act 3883 or the Business Name Law, it’s against the law to use other names for a business other than the owner’s name if it’s not registered with the DTI.

Once you’ve secured your trade name, you’re given the legal and exclusive rights to use it for five years and renew it when the validity period has passed.

No business can use your chosen name in the country, region, municipality or city, and barangay, depending on the coverage of your business location.

Take note this is only applicable for sole proprietors. If you need a license to run your company, you’d need to get a business permit and other important documents.

You’re eligible to register your business with DTI if you meet the following criteria:

• At least 18 years old (For foreign nationals coming from countries with lower legal age, they should submit proof that their current age is considered legal in their country’s law)
• Filipino citizen
• Foreign National with a Certificate of Authority to Engage in Business in the Philippines or Certificate of Registration of Sole Proprietorship
• Refugee or stateless person

If you can’t go to DTI yourself, you can ask a representative to file your application for you. You just need to provide an authorization letter, a valid ID, and other necessary documents.

For walk-in applicants, you should download the DTI business registration form, print two copies, and fill them out. Submit them together with any of these valid IDs:

• Passport
• UMID
• Driver’s license
• PRC ID
• Government office ID
• NBI clearance
• PWD ID
• Police Clearance (in ID form)
• Senior citizen ID
• Postal ID
• IBP ID
• Voter’s ID
• Seaman’s book
• OWWA ID
• Validated state college/university ID

DTI may require other documents depending on the applicant:

• Alien Certificate of Registration 
• Certificate of Registration for Sole Proprietorship
• Certificate of Authority to Engage in Business in the Philippines issued by the concerned DTI office

• Certificate of Recognition issued by the DOJ-RSPPU
• Certificate of Recognition

Foreign nationals, refugees, and stateless applicants who plan to apply via DTI online business registration still need to submit the above additional documents personally.

As for the business name registration fees, it varies depending on your territorial scope.

• Barangay – Php200
• City/Municipality – Php500
• Regional – Php1,000
• Php2,000

You must also pay for the Documentary Stamp Tax, which costs Php30.

You can register with DTI online or over-the-counter/walk-in.

Here are the steps in registering online:

1. Go to the BNRS or Business Name Registration System search page and type your preferred business name for a DTI name check. Make sure it follows the DTI business name descriptor. 
2. If it’s available, go to the New Registration page, read Terms and Conditions, and then click the “I agree” button.
3. Fill out the form. Fields with asterisks shouldn’t be left blank. 
4. Pay the registration fee within five days at the DTI office or via Gcash. 
5. Download and print your Certificate of Business Name Registration or claim it at the nearest DTI office. 

Here are the steps for walk-in applicants:

1. Head to the nearest Negosyo Center or DTI office.
2. Submit the requirements and have a list of backup names in case your proposed name is already taken.
3. Pay the registration fee.
4. Get the Certificate of Business Name Registration.

This wouldn’t be your first and last transaction with DTI. You need to renew it after five years, so make sure to keep a note somewhere.