If you operate a sole proprietorship using a business name different from your true legal name, the Department of Trade and Industry requires registration of that business name. DTI’s Business Name Registration System (BNRS) allows new registrations, renewals, certificate requests, and other business-name transactions online.
What DTI business-name registration does
A DTI Business Name Registration gives a sole proprietorship’s business name a legal identity. It does not by itself authorize the business to operate. DTI’s own BNRS FAQ explains that a business still needs the appropriate Business/Mayor’s Permit and other registrations or licenses required for its activity.
Before you start
- Prepare possible business names in case your first choice is unavailable or restricted.
- Choose the territorial scope that matches how you intend to use the business name.
- Prepare your complete owner information and business address.
- Use an email address and mobile number you control.
- Confirm that sole proprietorship is the correct business structure for you.
Step-by-step DTI BNRS registration
- Open the official DTI BNRS portal. Start from bnrs.dti.gov.ph or the official DTI website.
- Choose New Registration. Read the terms and eligibility information shown by the portal.
- Search and propose your business name. Follow BNRS rules for the dominant name and business descriptor.
- Choose the territorial scope. Options include Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, and National.
- Enter the owner and business details. Review spelling, address, and contact information carefully.
- Review the generated fee. Pay only through the options provided by the official BNRS portal.
- Save the transaction reference and certificate. Download or securely store the Business Name Registration Certificate after successful processing.
- Continue the rest of your business registration. Depending on your business, this can include BIR registration, barangay clearance, Mayor’s/Business Permit, and sector-specific licenses.
DTI business-name registration fees
DTI’s BNRS FAQ lists the following registration fees based on territorial scope:
- Barangay: ₱200
- City/Municipality: ₱500
- Regional: ₱1,000
- National: ₱2,000
An additional ₱30 Documentary Stamp Tax applies. Check the live BNRS amount before paying because portal rules and fees can be updated.
Choosing the right territorial scope
The scope affects where the registered business name is protected and the registration fee. Do not choose a national scope only because it sounds more professional; choose the level that matches your actual business plans and DTI’s rules.
Official sources
- DTI Business Name Registration System
- DTI BNRS Frequently Asked Questions
- Department of Trade and Industry
CitizenGuide.ph does not register businesses or collect DTI registration fees.
Is DTI BNRS the right registration for your business?
BNRS is designed for business-name registration of a sole proprietorship. If you are forming a corporation, partnership, or another entity registered through a different government registry, do not use BNRS simply because it is available online.
| Your situation | What to confirm before paying |
|---|---|
| Sole proprietor using a business name | BNRS is normally the appropriate business-name registration starting point. |
| Corporation or partnership | Confirm the proper entity-registration route instead of treating a DTI business name as entity registration. |
| You already have a DTI business name | Use the transaction that matches your need—renewal, update, cancellation, or another permitted action—rather than creating a duplicate name record. |
| You only want to start operating immediately | Remember that the DTI certificate does not replace local permits, BIR registration, or sector-specific licenses. |
How to choose the territorial scope without guessing
Think about where you need the business name protected and used, then read the scope options shown in the current BNRS transaction before payment. Choosing a broader or narrower scope affects the registration you are buying; it should be a business decision, not just a price decision.
If you are uncertain, decide your operating area and expansion plan first. It is better to understand the selected scope before checkout than to assume a paid registration can automatically be converted later without another transaction.
What the DTI certificate does not finish for you
After registration, create a separate compliance checklist for the LGU business permit, BIR registration and invoicing requirements, and any permit specific to your activity. Keeping these as separate milestones prevents a common mistake: treating “DTI registered” as equivalent to “fully cleared to operate.”
