The “first step” in starting up a business is to create a distinctive business name that will convey the uniqueness of product and services and will mark on potential clients. This business name will reflect on all business documents when dealing with clients or government agencies.

If you are a single proprietor who opted to use trade name, you are required to register your business with DTI online or at any regional or provincial DTI offices. To expedite the registration, you should prepare at least three (3) unique business names. To ensure that these names are not yet taken, you may check it through eBNR Seach engine of DTI.

As a business owner, you are responsible to ensure that your Business Name (BN) will not be used for business that is illegal, offensive, scandalous, or contrary to propriety and conform to the guidelines set such as:

• Business Name shall not be alike or similar to existing registered business;
• Business Name shall not composed purely of generic or geographic words;
• Business Name shall not a name which by law or regulation cannot be appropriated;
• Business Name shall not used to designate or distinguish, or not suggestive of quality of any class of goods, articles, merchandise, or service;
• Business Name shall not a name or abbreviation of a name used by the government in its governmental functions, of any nation, inter-governmental or international organization
• Business Name shall not deceptive, misleading or which misrepresent the nature of business

REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATION:

• Applicant must be a Filipino citizen and at least eighteen (18) years old.
• Duly filled-out application form
• Presentation of proof of owner’s identity/ one (1) government issued ID
• If Filipino citizenship is acquired by naturalization election or by any other means as provided by the law, present original and submit photocopy of the following:
  1. Naturalization Certificate or Oath of Allegiance issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI)
  2. Affidavit of Election
  3. Valid identification cards issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI)
• If applicant is a foreign national, present original and submit certified copy of the following, if applicable
  1. Certificate of Authority to Engage Business in the Philippines pursuant to Foreign Investment Act
  2. Certificate of Authority to Engage in Retail Trader (Retail Trade Liberalization Law)
  3. Or such other applicable laws, as the case may be
• If filer is other than applicant, submit authorization letter and valid ID

STEPS FOR WALK-IN REGISTRATION:

Step #1: Accomplish the application forms in duplicate copies. The application must be personally signed by the applicant or the sole proprietor or his/her Attorney –in-Fact authorized to sign per Special Power of Attorney

Step #2: Submit the application form to BN Processor

Step #3: Present the application form with Transaction Reference No. to Cashier and pay the required documentary stamp tax of Php15.00 per application and registration fee based on territorial jurisdiction as follows:

• Barangay – Php200.00
• City/Municipality – Php500.00
• Regional – Php1,000.00
• National – Php2,000.00

Step #4: Claim the Business Name Certificate of Registration within the day

STEPS FOR ONLINE-REGISTRATION:

Step #1: Visit http://www.bnrs.dti.gv.ph

Step #2: Under the Online Services tab, click New Application and agree with the BNRS Terms and Conditions

Step #3: Filled-out the application form and provide the required information

Step #4: Pay the registration fee and documentary stamp tax through DTI Teller, GCash or Bancnet

Step #5: Download the Business Name Certificate of Registration or pick it up at DTI Office

Disclaimer: Information contained in this article may become outdated and is therefore meant as general guidance only. It is not intended as professional accounting or tax advice.