Business Name Registration in Kenya: Cost, Requirements and How to Do It Online
A business name costs KSh 950 to register on eCitizen and the certificate often comes the same day. Here are the requirements, the steps, and the point at which a business name stops being enough.
Registering a business name is the cheapest way to make your hustle official. The BRS fee is KSh 950 at the time of writing, and that now covers the name search and the registration in one payment. You do it on eCitizen with your ID and KRA PIN, and the certificate is often ready within a day.
Business name registration requirements in Kenya
- An eCitizen account in your name
- Your national ID (or passport) and KRA PIN; each partner needs theirs in a partnership
- Two or three name options
- A short description of what the business does
- Your business location and postal address
- A passport photo for each owner
How to register a business name in Kenya on eCitizen
- Log in to eCitizen and open the Business Registration Service
- Choose 'Register a Business Name' and enter your preferred names
- Fill in the owners, the nature of business and the location
- Pay the fee by M-Pesa or card
- Download the certificate once it's approved
Types of business registration in Kenya
- Business name (sole proprietorship): one owner, cheapest, no separation from your personal finances
- Partnership: two or more owners trading under one name, each personally liable
- Limited liability partnership: partners with limited liability, common for professional firms
- Private limited company: a separate legal person, needed for most tenders, investors and bigger contracts
- Self-help groups, chamas and SACCOs register with other offices, not as businesses
When a business name is no longer enough
Once you're hiring staff, signing big contracts, borrowing or bidding for tenders, the personal liability of a business name becomes a real risk. Many tenders and corporate supplier lists ask for a limited company. Converting later is possible, but you'll re-do the bank account, the paybill and the branding paperwork. If growth is the plan, it can be cheaper to start as a company.
How much does it cost to register a business name in Kenya?
KSh 950 in BRS fees at the time of writing, plus a small eCitizen charge. Confirm the amount on the invoice before paying.
Do I need a business permit as well?
Yes. Registration makes the name legal. The county business permit allows you to trade at your premises, and it's a separate payment to your county.
Can I register a business name online?
Yes, completely online on eCitizen. You don't need to visit a Huduma Centre unless the system flags a problem with your details.
Antony Mungai
Founder, Steff Cloud — building websites, systems and automation for Kenyan businesses from Nakuru.