Department of Trade and Industry

It is necessary to register your single proprietorship business with the DTI to provide it with a legal identity and gain the rights to use your business name. Remember that a business name (BN) registration is not a license to operate a business.

Registering a business name and paying the fee can be done online at bnrs.dti.gov.ph. You may find a step-by-step registration guide at bnrs.dti.gov.ph/resources/registration-guide.

You may also register at your nearest DTI Regional or Provincial office. Bring an accomplished business name registration sole proprietorship application form and a valid government-issued ID. An authorized representative can also submit the BN application requirements as long as he/she also provides a valid ID and an authorization letter signed by the business owner.

Additional Requirements:
If Non-Philippine National

• Clear certified copy of the Alien Certificate of Registration; and
• Certificate of Registration for Sole Proprietorship/Certificate of Authority to engage in business in the Philippines

If Recognized Refugee or Recognized Stateless Person

• Clear certified copy of the Certificate of Recognition issued by the DOJ-RSPPU or presentation of the original Certificate of Recognition and submission of a duplicate copy.

Register at:
Head Office: Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1307
Trunkline No.: (+632) 8818-0921
Email: imessagemo@sec.gov.ph
Website: www.sec.gov.ph
or https://crs.sec.gov.ph (for online registration)

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)

All cooperatives are required to register with the CDA as per Republic Act 6938/6939.

Register at:

Local Government

All businesses, whatever the legal form, are required to secure a mayor’s permit or municipal license from the city or municipality where they are located. Permits or licenses are required to ensure that the standards are met and that business complies with the specific requirements of the business locale. Registration procedure varies across cities and municipalities. To view the list of local government units (LGUs), please visit the Department of Interior and Local Government website or https://dilg.gov.ph/.

Every business enterprise has to register with the BIR for taxation purposes. The Bureau will furnish your business with its own tax identification number (TIN) and the authority to print receipt, invoices, and others.

Register at:

Social Security System (SSS) 

An employer, or any person who uses the services of another person in business, trade, industry, or any undertaking must be registered with the SSS.

Register at:

Business establishments with five or more employees are encouraged to register with the DOLE for the purpose of monitoring the firms’ compliance with labor regulations.  Registration is required for firms with 50 or more workers. The Bureau of Local Employment administers the registration of establishments.

Register at:

Other Agencies

Depending on the type of products, certain companies are required by law to register with other government agencies.  The following is a list of regulatory bodies:

DTI-Intellectual Property Office