Reviewed: 22 June 2026 • Page focus: business name conversion only — cost, requirements, BRS/eCitizen procedure and duration.
Send your business name, registration number, proprietor details and preferred company structure. We will check the BRS position and confirm the conversion route.
Quick answer
To convert a business name to a limited company in Kenya, log into the individual BRS/eCitizen account connected to the business name, open the business record, select the maintenance option, choose cessation for conversion, select Private Limited Company as the target entity type, sign and upload the portal-generated cessation form, pay the live invoice and submit. After approval, the portal allows the new private limited company details to be completed and submitted for incorporation.
BRS sources show a cessation/conversion fee and a separate private limited company incorporation fee. The live eCitizen/BRS invoice is final.
Use the BRS/eCitizen cessation-to-convert route, then complete the private company details after approval.
Plan around 5–10 working days for a clean conversion, although official steps may be faster where the record and documents are complete.
BRS guidance refers to BN 6 in the 2026 guide and DN-6 in the FAQ. Follow the form generated by the live portal.
Page scope
This page is for an existing registered business name that is being converted into a private limited company. It is not a general new company registration page, not a business name registration page, and not a foreign branch registration page.
User intent
A business name may work well for a small owner-managed business. Conversion becomes useful when the business needs a separate company structure, shareholders, stronger contracting identity, lender or supplier onboarding, tender eligibility, continuity beyond the proprietor, or more formal ownership records.
Conversion helps when the business has outgrown a simple business name and needs a company identity.
A limited company allows shareholding to be defined through shares rather than informal business-name ownership.
Some institutions prefer a Certificate of Incorporation, company KRA PIN and company records.
A company is distinct from its shareholders and can continue beyond changes in ownership or management.
Requirements
Before filing, prepare both the existing business name details and the new company details. This avoids rejection, BRS correction queries and delays after the cessation-to-convert application is submitted.
| Requirement | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Existing business name record | Business name, registration number, certificate and proprietor details. |
| BRS/eCitizen access | The individual account connected to the proprietor or authorised owner. Older records may need linking before conversion. |
| Cessation-to-convert form | The portal-generated cessation form, signed and uploaded as prompted. BRS sources have referred to BN 6 and DN-6 in different guidance. |
| Proprietor / partner details | ID or passport, KRA PIN where applicable, phone, email, address and authorisation where more than one proprietor is involved. |
| New company details | Proposed company name ending, directors, shareholders, shareholding, registered office and beneficial ownership information. |
| Company forms after conversion starts | System-generated company registration forms, signed and uploaded during the company incorporation stage. |
Cost intent
Direct answer: the government cost normally has two stages: the business name cessation-to-convert stage and the private limited company incorporation stage. BRS sources currently show different cessation figures, so the live BRS/eCitizen invoice should be treated as final at submission.
| Cost item | Planning figure / status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cessation to convert business name | KES 250 in BRS 2026 step guide; KES 800 in BRS fee schedule for cessation of business name | Official BRS materials differ. Use the live invoice generated by the portal. |
| Private limited company registration | KES 10,650 on the BRS Companies Registry fee schedule | Applies when completing the private limited company incorporation stage. |
| Official search / linking support, if needed | Depends on BRS record status | Older or unverified business name records may need search, linking or correction before conversion. |
| Professional handling | Quoted per case | Depends on portal status, number of proprietors, shareholder structure, urgency and post-conversion support needed. |
| Post-conversion setup | Separate where required | May include company KRA PIN follow-up, bank documents, county permit update or tax compliance support. |
Procedure / how-to
Direct answer: use the BRS/eCitizen business name maintenance route, choose cessation for conversion, upload the signed form generated by the portal, pay the invoice, wait for approval, then complete the private limited company conversion details.
For full private-company filing requirements, use the dedicated company registration requirements in Kenya checklist. This page remains focused on conversion from an existing business name.
Duration intent
Direct answer: BRS lists cessation of a business name as about 1 day and private limited company registration as 3–5 days. In practice, plan approximately 5–10 working days for a clean conversion where the business name is linked, the cessation form is correctly signed and the private company details are complete.
| Stage | Planning timeline | Possible delay |
|---|---|---|
| Portal status check | Same day to 2 days | Business name not linked, old manual record, mismatch in proprietor details. |
| Cessation to convert | About 1 day where clean | Unsigned form, wrong upload, incorrect reason selected or pending penalties. |
| Conversion option activation | After cessation approval | Portal delays or unresolved query on the business name record. |
| Private company incorporation stage | 3–5 days for complete filing | Name issue, incomplete directors/shareholders, unsigned forms or beneficial ownership query. |
| Certificate handover | After approval | Portal access issue or uncompleted company-stage payment. |
After approval
The converted business operates through a company structure, with company records replacing the simple business-name registration. This affects contracts, tax, banking and supplier/customer records.
Lead generation
Biz Brokers Kenya assists business owners, sole proprietors and partnerships with BRS/eCitizen conversion from business name to limited company. We focus on getting the record reviewed, the conversion route correctly selected and the company-stage information prepared before submission.
We check whether the business name is visible and whether linking, search or correction may be needed before conversion.
We guide the BRS conversion path, form signing, upload and submission process.
We help organise directors, shareholders, shareholding, beneficial ownership and registered office information.
We assist with BRS queries and hand over the Certificate of Incorporation and company file after approval.
Send the business name, registration number, proprietor details and intended company structure.
Official basis
Information date: 22 June 2026. Government fees, wording and BRS/eCitizen workflow may change; confirm the live portal prompts and invoice before submission.
FAQs
Yes. A registered business name can be ceased for conversion and then converted into a private limited company through BRS/eCitizen, provided the business record and proprietor details are available and consistent on the portal.
Open the business name record on BRS/eCitizen, select the maintain option, choose cessation for conversion, select private limited company as the target entity type, sign and upload the generated form, pay and submit the cessation application, then complete the private company details after approval.
The cost normally includes the business name cessation-to-convert stage and the private limited company registration stage. BRS sources currently show different cessation figures, including KES 250 in the step-by-step guide and KES 800 in the fee schedule, while private limited company registration is listed at KES 10,650. Treat the live BRS/eCitizen invoice as final.
BRS lists cessation of a business name as about 1 day and private limited company registration as 3–5 days. In practice, allow about 5–10 working days where the record is linked, the forms are signed correctly and the company details are complete.
BRS guidance has referred to DN-6 in its FAQ and BN 6 in its 2026 cessation and conversion guide. Follow the form generated by the live BRS/eCitizen conversion workflow.
No. Conversion starts from an existing business name record and uses the cessation-to-convert pathway before the private limited company details are completed. A fresh company filing is a separate route.
The core name may often be retained with the company ending, such as Limited or Ltd, but final approval remains subject to BRS name review and availability rules.
Yes. The company is a separate entity and may require a company KRA PIN, updated bank records, updated county licence information, revised supplier details, invoices and contracts.
Yes. We can review portal status, advise on the BRS path, prepare the cessation-to-convert filing, guide form signing and upload, assist with company-stage details and support BRS query follow-up.
Send your business name certificate or registration number, owner details and preferred company structure. We will confirm the BRS position and quote.
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