Requirements for business name registration in Kenya

Prepare the information needed to complete the BRS V2 application before you start. The current BRS guidance requires applicants to enter a minimum of three and a maximum of five proposed names and complete the requested business and ownership particulars.

Practical drafting point: describe the nature of business precisely. The BN/2 rules specifically caution against vague descriptions such as simply stating “shop” or “retail trade.”

Business name registration cost and processing time

How to register a business name on eCitizen / BRS V2

Step 1: Access the Business Registration Service

Log in through eCitizen and open the BRS V2 / Companies Registry Services area.

Step 2: Start “Registration of a Business Name”

Select Make Application, then choose Registration of a Business Name.

Step 3: Enter 3–5 proposed names

Enter a minimum of three and a maximum of five names in order of priority. Use genuinely distinct alternatives rather than minor spelling variations of the same name.

Step 4: Complete the business and owner/partner details

Complete the nature of business, business address and the proprietor or partner information requested by the portal. Check names and identification details carefully before continuing.

Step 5: Download, sign and re-upload the generated form

BRS requires the auto-generated registration form to be signed, scanned and uploaded back to the system. The fee schedule identifies the lodged document as BN 2.

Step 6: Pay KES 950 and submit

Submit the application and pay the government fee through the payment options presented on eCitizen/BRS.

Step 7: Track the application and download the certificate

Monitor the application for approval or a registry query. Once approved, download the Certificate of Registration from the application.

Business name approval rules and common causes of delay

Name approval is not simply a spelling check. BRS guidance requires the proposed name to avoid conflicts with names already registered or reserved and sets restrictions on certain words and forms.

• Existing or reserved names: avoid names that are identical or confusingly close to a name already on the register or reserved.
• Trademark conflict: BRS cautions against names that are the same as or similar to a registered trademark.
• Offensive or abusive wording: these are not acceptable, including offensive vernacular wording.
• Restricted organizational terms: BRS states that names containing “co-operative”, “society” or “trade union” are not allowed in this route.
• “Kenya” at the beginning: BRS guidance states that a name should not start with “Kenya”, which is reserved for government-owned entities.

Best practice: prepare five genuinely different options and a clear business description before filing. This gives the registry alternatives without forcing you to restart because one proposed name is unavailable.

After registration: what the business name certificate does — and does not do

The BRS Certificate of Registration confirms the registered business name. It should not be treated as a substitute for every other licence or compliance step your business may require.

After registration, review your county permit, sector licence and tax obligations based on the actual activity and location. If brand protection matters, business-name registration is separate from trademark registration.

If the business grows and you later need a separate legal entity, see converting a business name to a limited company.

Business name registration FAQs

How much does it cost to register a business name in Kenya?

The current BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists KES 950 for registration of a business name. If you engage an agent or consultant, the professional fee is separate from the government fee.

How long does business name registration take in Kenya?

BRS currently lists a 1-day service time for business-name registration. That is an official service-time listing rather than a guarantee. A name query, returned application, correction or registry backlog can extend the end-to-end process.

Do I need to pay a separate name-search fee first?

The current BRS FAQ instructs applicants to enter 3–5 preferred names inside the business-name registration application and pay KES 950 when submitting. Older guidance describing a separate name-search payment may therefore be outdated for the current BRS V2 workflow.

Is a business name the same as a limited company?

No. BRS expressly states that a business name is not a legal entity. A limited company is a different registration structure and creates a separate legal entity.

What do I receive when the application is approved?

BRS lists the output as a Certificate of Registration. Keep the downloaded certificate and the BRS payment record for onboarding and future compliance use.

Can a foreign national use the business-name route?

Foreign and non-resident applicants should first confirm their eCitizen/BRS onboarding, tax and immigration position before relying on a business-name structure. For investors who need a separate entity, contracting structure or limited liability, a limited company may be the more appropriate route.

Official sources and review date

• Business Registration Service — Companies Registry Fee Schedule (KES 950; BN 2; Certificate of Registration; listed service time 1 day)
• BRS Frequently Asked Questions (business name definition, 3–5 names, BRS V2 steps and KES 950 payment)
• BRS Companies Registry (business-name rules and registry guidance)
• Registration of Business Names Act, Cap. 499

Information checked: 27 September 2026. Where a live BRS/eCitizen prompt or current Gazette/official notice differs, the current official requirement should prevail.