DTI Business Name Registration Guide

Registering a business name with DTI

If you're starting a sole proprietorship in the Philippines, the first official step is registering your business name (BN) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This gives you the legal right to use that name and is required before you can register with the BIR, get a mayor's permit, or open a business bank account. Registration is done online through the BNRS portal, and this guide shows the fee, requirements, and steps for your chosen scope.

Territorial scope and fees

When you register, you choose how widely your business name is protected, and the fee scales with it:

• Barangay — ₱200
• City / Municipality — ₱500
• Regional — ₱1,000
• National — ₱2,000

A ₱30 documentary stamp tax is added to each. A wider scope protects your name across a larger area but costs more — choose based on where you plan to operate and grow. The registration is valid for 5 years and is renewable.

Sole proprietorship vs. corporation

DTI registration is for sole proprietorships — a business owned by one person. Partnerships and corporations register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) instead, not the DTI. If you're a solo entrepreneur or freelancer formalizing your business, DTI is your path.

FAQ

What comes after DTI registration?

Typically you register with the BIR for your TIN and official receipts, secure a barangay clearance and mayor's/business permit, and register with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG if you'll have employees.

Can I change my scope later?

You generally register a new or amended name to change scope. It's worth choosing a scope that fits your growth plans from the start.

Is the name protected nationwide automatically?

No — only within the scope you pay for. A barangay-scope name isn't protected against the same name in another city. Choose national scope if you want the broadest protection.