As an entrepreneur, one of the most essential steps in formalizing your business venture is registering your business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). With a DTI-registered business name, you’ll have a unique and singular identifier to use for all business documents and transactions. DTI registration will also give you exclusive rights to your business name within your coverage area — preventing confusion among your clients.
With DTI’s online portal, the Business Name Registration System (BNRS), DTI registration online has become simpler and more streamlined for any business owner with an internet connection. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to complete your DTI registration or DTI renewal with BNRS, along with some important considerations and tips.
DTI Registration vs Business Permit Registration
Before proceeding, take note that the DTI business name registration is not the same as a business permit registration. Business name registration is done under DTI’s Business Name Registration System (BNRS) to give your business its legal name. A business permit, also known as a mayor’s permit, is obtained from your local government unit (LGU) and gives you permission to operate your business.
Requirements for DTI registration
Before diving into the process of DTI registration online, prepare these documents and information to ensure a smooth registration process:
1. Business Name
Your business name must be unique, memorable, and in line with DTI’s guidelines on business names. DTI requires a business name to have two portions: a dominant name and a descriptor.
A dominant name refers to the main identifying words or numerals attached to your business name. It can consist of a word, group of words, or a combination of letters and numbers. A few examples are “Zen” in Zen Hotel or ”North Park” in North Park Noodles.
A descriptor is a word or group of words describing the nature of your business, i.e. “cafe”, “laundry”, or “trading”.
2. Territorial scope of your business
You’ll have to provide territorial scope of your business — i.e. Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, National — as well as your business address.
3. DTI registration fee and documentary stamp tax (DST)
The registration fee depends on the territorial scope of your business, plus a Php 30 charge for documentary stamp tax (DST):
- Barangay: Php 200
- City/municipality: Php 500
- Regional: Php 1000
- National: Php 2000
Since you will be paying online, prepare to pay with a credit/debit card or e-wallet. You must pay within seven (7) calendar days from your date of application; otherwise, your application will be nullified.
4. Valid ID
Ensure you have a valid government-issued ID, such as your passport, driver's license, TIN, SSS, or postal ID, for verification purposes. However, if you are a foreign national, refugee, or stateless person, you must first submit supporting documents at any physical DTI office before proceeding to online registration.
How to complete your DTI registration online
Step 1: Visit the DTI BNRS Portal
Go to the DTI BNRS portal (https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph/) and click on the "Register Now" button. You will be redirected to the New Registration page. After reading the terms and conditions, click “I Agree” to proceed.
Step 2: Fill out the owner’s information
If you are the business owner, fill out the online application form with your personal information and click “Next”.
Step 3: Nominate Business Scope & Business Name
Select the Territorial Scope of your business: Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, or National, then enter the Dominant Name of your business. This is the main identifier of your business name, such as the “Baliwag” in Baliwag Lechon Manok).
Under “Business Name Descriptor”, type keywords that describe the nature of your business (e.g. “laundry”, “manufacturing”) until a match appears in the suggestions.
Your Proposed Business Name will appear on the bottom section of the form. Click “Check Name Availability” to verify if your proposed business name is available. If it is, click “Proceed” to claim your business name. Otherwise, nominate another Dominant Name or Business Name Descriptor until the system confirms its availability.
Step 4: Get your Reference Code
A Reference Code will be assigned to you. Make sure to save it since the BNRS portal will request it for all your future transactions. After saving, click ‘Continue’ and complete the rest of the online form with your business information. You will be asked to review your accomplished form prior to payment; make sure your information is correct, especially your email, as this is how you’ll receive your Certificate of Business Name Registration (CNBR).
Step 5: Pay the DTI registration fee
After the payment option appears, note the registration fee to pay and choose your preferred payment method: DTI Teller, GCash, PayMaya, Landbank, or Credit/Debit Card.
Make sure to pay your registration fee via your chosen channel within seven (7) calendar days from the date of your application. Otherwise, your name registration will be nullified.
After your payment is confirmed by the portal, don’t forget to click ‘Register New Business’. From here, DTI will begin to process your registration.
Step 6: Wait for Approval and Certificate Issuance
Once your application is approved by DTI, a Certificate of Business Name Registration (CNBR) will then be sent to your email. This may take a few business days from the date of your payment.
Upon receiving your CNBR, make sure to print a copy and display it prominently in your business premises. Your DTI business name registration is valid for five (5) years from the date of registration. You can also check out BNRS DTI’s new business name registration video guide.
DTI Renewal Process
As a responsible business owner, it's important to keep your registration up-to-date by renewing it annually. This ensures that your business remains compliant with the relevant regulations and maintains its legal status.
Fortunately, DTI has also made renewals easier by integrating the DTI renewal process through the BNRS portal. DTI renewal can be done as early as one hundred eighty (180) calendar days prior to the expiration date. Penalty-free regular filing can be done within ninety (90) calendar days after the expiration of your registration.
Late filing, which is defined as ninety (90) calendar days after the regular filing period, will incur a surcharge of 50% of your registration fee. All registrations not renewed within the late filing period are automatically canceled and made available for registration by other parties.
Here's how you can renew your DTI business name registration:
Step 1: Visit the DTI BNRS Portal
Go to the DTI BNRS portal (https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph/). On the page header, click “Business Name Services”, then “Renewal”. After reading the terms and conditions, click “I Agree” to proceed.
Step 2: Input your Reference Code
Input your Reference Code from your previous online registration. Otherwise, provide your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or Proposed Business Name (PBN) and click search. Your Business Name should appear in the results. Click on this to be redirected to the Transaction Summary page.
Step 3: Update your business info or scope
You will be asked to “Renew and Update Info” (proceed to next step) or “Update Scope and Renew” (skip to Step 5). Choose “Renew and Update Info” if you only intend to renew your DTI registration, or if you want to update your email or information. However, if your territorial scope has changed, choose “Update Scope and Renew”.
Step 4: Business information update
If you chose “Renew and Update Info”, you may update your email address and residential address as needed. You may also update your business address in this section as long as it is still within the previously-registered territorial scope of your business name. Review your current or updated information, then click “Next”.
Note: In the "Philippine Standard Industrial Classification" field, simply type in the words that best describe the nature of your business. Select the appropriate business name descriptor that appears based on what you filled in.
Step 5: Territorial scope update
If you chose “Update Scope and Renew”, choose your new Territorial Scope from Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, or National.
Changing your scope will require you to validate your Business Name again. Enter your Dominant Name and choose the appropriate “Business Name Descriptor” by typing keywords that describe the nature of your business. Under “Proposed Business Name”, click “Check Name Availability” to verify if your proposed business name is available. If it is, click “Next” to proceed.
Step 6. Review and save your Reference Code
You will be redirected to the Renewal Summary page, which summarizes the business name for renewal and other updates to your owner information or business information. If the information is accurate, click Next.
A pop-up with a new Reference Code will appear. Save this code as you will be using it in future transactions with DTI BNRS. Click “Continue” and “Proceed” until you reach the payment section.
Step 7: Pay the DTI renewal fee
After the payment option appears, choose your preferred payment method from DTI Teller, GCash, PayMaya, Landbank, or Credit/Debit Card. The registration fee depends on the territorial scope of your business, plus a Php 30 charge for documentary stamp tax (DST):
- Barangay: Php 200
- City/municipality: Php 500
- Regional: Php 1000
- National: Php 2000
Make sure to pay your DTI registration fee via your chosen channel within seven (7) calendar days from the date of your application. Otherwise, your DTI renewal will be nullified.
After your payment is confirmed by the portal, you have successfully renewed your DTI registration online.
Other FAQs on DTI online registration and DTI renewal
What is the validity of my DTI online registration?
Your DTI business name registration is valid for five (5) years from the date of registration.
When should I renew my business name registration?
You may renew as early as one hundred eighty (180) calendar days prior to the expiration date. Penalty-free regular filing can be done within ninety (90) calendar days after the expiration of your registration.
Late filing, which is defined as ninety (90) calendar days after the regular filing period, will incur a surcharge of 50% of your registration fee. All registrations not renewed within the late filing period are automatically canceled and made available for registration by other parties.
Can I cancel my reserved business name?
Yes. On the DTI BNRS portal, choose Business Name Services > Transaction Inquiry and input your reference code from registration. Click your business name and scroll down until you see Cancel Transaction. This will cancel your reserved BN and reference code.
Can I change my territorial scope in the BNRS DTI portal even before my DTI renewal date comes up?
Yes. The change will take effect as a new application, which includes the issuance of a new Certificate of BN Registration and a new validity period.
I can’t find an available business name to register on BNRS.
Finding a unique business name can be tricky, but DTI BNRS is here to help. They have an online tool called the DTI business name search (https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph/search) to help you search existing business names.
DTI also has the following business name guidelines to prevent rejection from the BNRS portal:
- Must describe the nature of your business. This applies specifically to the Descriptor portion of your business name. On the BNRS portal, the descriptors are industries and sectors based on Philippine Statistics Authority’s Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC).
- Must consist of any alphabet, number, and/or punctuation mark in English or Filipino.
- Must not be similar to an existing trademark, such as “Anne Dok’s Lechon,” “Jolibee,” and "Starbax Café”.
- Must not be too generic, such as “The Coffee Shop” for a café.
- Must have no abbreviation similar to a government agency or international organization, i.e. NBI Private Investigation Services or DTI Trading.
- Must not use illegal and offensive words, such as “Boobs Spa”.
- Must not be suggestive of the quality of any product or service, such as “Best Ihaw-Ihaw” or “Top 1 Computer Repair Shop”.
- Must not mislead or misrepresent the nature of the business. An example is a business name using the name of a person unrelated to the business, or a business called “Manufacturing” when the nature of their business is “laundry”.
What other services can I avail on DTI BNRS?
Aside from DTI registration online and DTI renewals, the BNRS portal also provides other business services like Business Name search and request for certification of another business. Read more about the services available in DTI BNRS portal.
In conclusion, completing your DTI Registration and DTI Renewal via the Business Name Registration System (BNRS) is a crucial step towards establishing your venture in the Philippines. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you can navigate the DTI registration process with confidence and ensure that your business is recognized and protected. Remember to keep your registration up-to-date through regular renewals to maintain compliance and enjoy the benefits of being a registered business owner.
Whether you're starting a small business or expanding an existing one, DTI and BNRS are valuable resources that can support your journey towards success. Take advantage of these platforms and make your mark in the vibrant Philippine business landscape.
If you need anything else for your business, especially with extending your working capital or finding the best options for business loans, visit the First Circle blog to learn more.
