DTI Registration | How to Register Your Business Name Online

The number of DTI Registration for Business Names has increased during the quarantine period as more people take the route to entrepreneurship to survive and earn money for a living in this pandemic. Before going through the steps on how to get a DTI online registration for the name of your business, let us go through some of the commonly asked questions regarding the basic concepts you need to know so you can smoothly obtain a legal identity for your business without hassle.

What is a Business Name?

A business name is simply your business’s legal identity. According to the Business Name Registration System (BNRS) website, a Business name refers to any name, other than your true name, that you use in connection with your business.

Do’s and Don’ts in Choosing a Business Name

Under the Republic Act 3883 otherwise known as the Business Name Law, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the proposed business name is:

1. not and will not be used for a business that is illegal, offensive, scandalous, or contrary to propriety (Pop’s Jueteng Betting Station, Boobs Massage and Spa);
2. not the same or nearly the same as an existing registered business, company, partnership, corporation, cooperative; nor infringing on any trademark, service mark and trade name (Anne Dok’s Lechon, Jolibee, Starbax Cafe);
3. not composed of generic or geographic words (The Drugstore, Mindanao);
4. not a name which by law or regulation cannot be appropriated (OTOP, Intelligence, State College);
5. not used to designate or distinguish, or to suggest a quality of any class of goods, articles, merchandise, or service (Best Taho Factory, A-1 Auto Repair Shop);
6. not used by the government in its non-proprietary functions (NBI Private Investigation Services, DTI Trading);
7. not a name or abbreviation of any nation, intergovernmental or international organization (Philippine Manpower Pooling Agency, UNESCO Marketing, WHO Health Services); and
   
8. not deceptive, misleading, or one that misrepresents the nature of the business (“GOLD Construction Services” where the nature of business is recruitment).

Why do I need to register my Business Name?

According to the Business Name Law, a person intending to engage in business is required to first register a name with DTI before such a name is used in any business transactions. Basically, this will give you the right to the exclusive use of the business name within the validity period given and to make sure that no other business or organization has the same business name as yours.

The DTI Business Name Registration is a requirement for when you will apply for a Certificate of Registration from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) so you can issue an Official Receipt (OR) for your business. It is also a requirement for your Business Permit Application, so that you may legally operate your business.

Validity of a DTI Registration

Your Business Name Registration is valid for five (5) years from the date of registration.

Who can apply for a Business Name?

To be able to apply for a business name in the Philippines, you must meet any of the following criteria:

• Filipino citizen who is at least eighteen (18) years old;
• Non-Philippine national who has obtained a Certificate of Registration of Sole Proprietorship pursuant to RA 7042 and at least 18 years old; Where the laws of the home country of the authorized non-Philippine national provides for the legal or contract age lower than 18 years, said authorized non-Philippine national shall submit proof thereof;
• Refugee or stateless person, at least 18 years old

Note: BN Registrations can be filed by a representative as long as he/she provides a valid ID and an authorization letter signed by the business owner together with the other requirements.

Requirements for DTI Business Name Registration

Applicants of a Business Name shall present any of the following Government-issued Valid IDs:

1. Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. PRC ID
4. NBI Clearance
5. Police Clearance (ID form)
6. Postal ID
7. Voter’s ID
8. Unified Multi-Purpose ID
9. OWWA ID
10. Seaman’s BOOK
11. IBP ID
12. Senior Citizen’s ID
13. Persons with Disability (PWD) ID
14. Government Office ID
15. Validated State College/University ID

Note: Click on the links to know the updated steps on applying for the corresponding ID in Baguio City.

Any of the valid IDs presented by the applicant or an authorized representative must bear his/her printed full name, signature, and photograph and must be valid at the time of the application.

For Non-Philippine Nationals

•  Certified Copy of the Alien Certification of Registration; and the
• Certificate of Registration of Sole Proprietorship/Certificate of Authority to engage in business in the Philippines issued by the concerned DTI Office

For Refugee/Stateless Person

• Clear Certified Copy of the Certificate of Recognition issued by the DOJ-RSPPU showing that the applicant is recognized as a refugee/stateless person

Business Name DTI Online Registration Fee

The registration fee for the Business Name DTI Registration will depend on the territorial scope of your business or the scope of location area where you will set up the physical establishment of your business, regardless of the number of branches/outlets.

Territorial Scope	Fee
Barangay	200.00
City/Municipality	500.00
Regional	1000.00
National	2000.00

• Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) Php 30.00

Others	Fee
Late Renewal or Grace Period (91-180 after expiration date)	Plus 50% of chosen territorial scope
Business Name Certification	Php 50 + DST

How to Get DTI Business Name Registration

Thanks to the digitization of the Business Name Registration System (BNRS), it is now easier for aspiring business owners to register their business names at the comfort of their own homes without having to sacrifice safety.

How to Get DTI Online Registration Business Name

Step 1

Go to the DTI online registration portal called the Business Name Registration System or BNRS at https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph/registration.

Step 2

Read through the Terms and Conditions and if you agree to the terms, click I Agree.

Step 3

Fill up the Owner’s Information then click Next. A pop-up window with a summary of your information as the owner will show up. Click Proceed if all of the fields have been correctly filled up.

Step 4

Choose the Territorial Scope of your business.

 

Territorial Scope refers to the extent of the geographical area within which the pertinent business may locate its offices, stores, shops, branches, manufacturing or processing plants, or other business structures, or where the pertinent BN may be used without prejudice to engaging in business elsewhere. It is not to be considered as the geographical limit in which to transact business. You may choose from Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, or National.

Step 5

After Choosing the Territorial Scope of your business, this is where you will fill up your proposed name. Choose the corresponding Region, City/Municipality, Province, and Enter the Dominant Name and Business Name Descriptor of your business.

Dominant Name: refers to the main identifying words or numerals attached to your Business Name
Business Name Descriptor: the Descriptor describes the nature of your business based on the Philippine Standard Industrial Classification

Step 6

Click Check Name Availability to find out if your proposed business name is available for use. If the name has passed the business name qualifications, click “Proceed”

A confirmation pop-up will appear, verify the contents and Click “Yes” to proceed to the next step.

Step 7

You will be assigned a Reference Code which you will be using in all your transactions regarding your business name registration.

You will also get a copy of your Reference Code sent to the email address you have provided.

Step 8

Fill out the fields pertaining to the following sections:

1. 1. Business Address
   2. Personal Information
   3. Residence Address
   4. Other Details
      Upon completion of Step 8, a series of accomplished forms will appear, please ensure that all data provided during the registration are correct and valid including the email address. Carefully review the accomplished form and Click “Confirm and Proceed“

Step 9

Signify conformity to the Undertaking by clicking “Proceed”. You may download the Undertaking for your files.

Step 10

You will be redirected to the payment portal. Pay the registration fee within seven (7) calendar days from the date of application. Otherwise, the BN application will be deemed abandoned and subsequently nullified.

How To Pay for Business Name Registration

While you can personally go to the DTI Field Office to personally pay for the fees, another good thing about the migration of the Business Name Registration System online is that there are different online payment modes that you can choose to conveniently pay for your business name registration without going out.

You can pay for your DTI Registration online through the following online payment gateways:

• • LandBank LinkBizPortal
  • Paymaya
  • GCash
  • Debit/Credit Card

Online Payment Transaction Fees for Business Name Registration

PAYMENT OPTION	TRANSACTION FEE
LANDBANK LINK.BIZ
Landbank ATM/Visa Debit Cards	₱15.00
BachNet Member Bank ATM/Debit Card	₱15.00
Cash Payment	₱30.00
PESONet	₱25.00
GCASH
GCash	₱10.00 GCash Fee is DEFERRED until further notice
PAYMAYA
Online Checkout and PayMaya One	1.25% of Transaction amount
PayMaya QR	0.50% of Transaction amount
Bills Payment via PayMaya App	₱ 8.00
Pay by PayMaya	₱ 8.00
Smart Padala	₱ 10.00 agent fee

 

How to Pay DTI using GCash

Since there is no transaction fee when you pay via GCash for the time being, let’s use that option. You can immediately pay for your DTI business name registration via GCash by following these steps:

1. 1. Make sure you have enough amount on your GCash account to pay for the Business Name Registration Fee.
   2. Under Business Information, you will see a summary of your Business Name, Scope, Registration Type, and Transaction Type. Under Payment Details, choose your payment option  and click “Proceed Payment”
      
   3. You will be redirected to the GCash Portal. Input the Mobile Number connected to your GCash account and click “Next”. If you don’t have a GCash account, you can also Create an Account.
      
   4. Enter the 6-digit Authentication Code sent to the mobile number you have entered then click “Submit Code”.
      

1. Next, enter your GCash 4-digit MPIN, then click “Next”.
   
2. Once the payment transaction is successful, the Certificate of Business Name Registration will be sent to your email.

Step 11

Upon confirmation of payment, click “Register New Business”. Congratulations! You have successfully registered your Business Name.

 

How to Download DTI Certificate after registration

Aside from accessing your DTI Business Name Registration Certificate through the email that was sent to you, you can also access your certificate through the BNRS.

1. 1. Go to https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph
   2. Click “Transaction Inquiry” on the left-side menu
      
   3. Click the “I Agree” button on the Terms and Conditions page
   4. Input your Reference Code then click the “Search” button.
   
   
   
   
   5. In the result table select your Business Name, you will be redirected to our verification page and email verification will be sent to your registered email address.
   6. Input the verification code sent to your email and click the ‘Proceed’ button.
   7. Verification code will expire within 24 hours by the time of the request.
   8. You will be redirected to the Transaction Summary for the Reference Code you have entered. Scroll to the bottom and you will see the Downloadable Contents. You may download your Undertaking, Business Name Registration Certificate, and your Official Receipt.
      

Contact

For concerns regarding your Business Name registration, you may send an email to the [email protected]

DTI- Benguet Provincial Office

Freda M. Gawisan, Provincial Director
3F Manongdo Bldg., 17 Private Rd.
Magsaysay Ave., 2600 Baguio City
Phone: (+6374) 304.1129
Telefax: (+6374) 619.2722
Email: [email protected]

 

SOURCES: DTI-BNRS, Business Name Law