A realistic walkthrough of what each process actually involves — the forms, offices, and requirements. Details vary by business type and activity, so treat this as a roadmap, not a substitute for official guidance.
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Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
2
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
3
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
4
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
DTI
Department of Trade and Industry
Business name registration (sole proprietorships)
Business Name Registration System (BNRS)
Certificate valid 5 years
1
Search and reserve a business name — checked for conflicts through the Business Name Registration System.
2
Select your territorial scope — Barangay, City/Municipality, Regional, or National; this determines both your coverage and the filing fee.
3
Submit the application online — with a valid government ID and payment of the corresponding fee.
4
Download your DTI Certificate — valid for five years and required before applying for a Barangay Clearance and Business Permit.
This registration is for sole proprietorships only — corporations and partnerships register their name through the SEC instead.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
1
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
1
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
1
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
1
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
1
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
1
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
1
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
1
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
1
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
1
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
1
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
1
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
1
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
1
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
1
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Corporate registration
SEC Company Registration System (CRS)
Typical timeline: 3–10 business days
1
Reserve your company name — verify availability and reserve it through the SEC's online Company Registration System (CRS) before drafting your documents.
1
Prepare the incorporation package — Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Treasurer's-in-Trust Affidavit, and identification/proof of address for each incorporator or director.
1
Submit online and pay the fees — filing, registration, and legal research fees are computed based on your authorized capital stock.
1
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — once approved, this is your legal basis to open a corporate bank account and proceed to BIR and local registration.
One Person Corporations (OPC) and partnerships follow a similar but slightly shorter document set than multi-incorporator corporations.