Last reviewed: 31 May 2026. BRS/eCitizen fees and portal steps may change; confirm the final fee at checkout before submission.

When should you convert a business name to a limited company?

A business name is suitable for many small businesses at the start. However, once the business grows, conversion to a private limited company may be useful for contracts, tenders, banking, investor entry, continuity, separation of business identity and better corporate governance.

Common reasons for conversion

• You started as a sole proprietor but now want a separate company structure.
• You want to bring in partners, shareholders or investors.
• Clients, tenders, suppliers or banks require a limited company.
• You want the business to continue beyond the original proprietor.
• You want the company to have its own registration number, KRA PIN and corporate documents.

Requirements to convert a business name to a limited company

Before starting the BRS conversion process, prepare the existing business name details and the new company incorporation information.

Requirement	Details needed
Existing business name record	Business name, registration number, certificate of registration and eCitizen/BRS account access.
Portal linking status	The business should be visible under the proprietor’s BRS/eCitizen account. Older manual records may need linking before conversion.
DN-6 cessation form	The BRS conversion process requires the signed DN-6 form at the cessation to convert stage.
Proprietor details	Owner or partners’ ID/passport details, KRA PIN where applicable, phone number, email and address.
New company structure	Proposed company name, directors, shareholders, share allocation, registered office address and beneficial ownership information.
Company incorporation forms	BRS system-generated forms normally include company registration forms such as CR1, CR2, CR8 and the statement of nominal capital for a private limited company.

How to convert a business name to a limited company on BRS/eCitizen

The BRS FAQ describes the conversion path as a Cessation to Convert application followed by completion of the new company type details. The practical process is as follows:

1. Log into BRS/eCitizen. Use the proprietor’s or authorised owner’s eCitizen account connected to the business name.
2. Open the business name record. Select the business under your dashboard and go to the maintain or make application section.
3. Select Cessation to Convert. Choose the option for cessation of the business name for conversion purposes.
4. Choose the new business type. Select Private Limited Company where the intended structure is a private company limited by shares.
5. Download, sign and upload DN-6. Upload the signed DN-6 form and continue with the application.
6. Confirm details and pay the fee. Review the application and pay the prescribed BRS/eCitizen fee.
7. Wait for cessation approval. Once approved, the portal should provide an option to start conversion.
8. Complete the new company details. Add directors, shareholders, registered office, shareholding, beneficial owners and other company details.
9. Upload signed incorporation forms. Download the system-generated forms, sign, scan and upload them.
10. Pay incorporation fee and submit. Submit for BRS review and pay the private company registration fee.
11. Download the Certificate of Incorporation. Once approved, the company certificate and related documents become available through the portal.

Cost of converting a business name to a limited company in Kenya

Item	Official / expected fee	Notes
Cessation of Business Name	KES 800, subject to penalties where applicable	BRS fee schedule lists BN 6 and a Letter of Confirmation, with an indicative timeline of 1 day.
Private Limited Company registration	KES 10,650 on the BRS fee schedule	Documents listed include CR1, CR2, CR8 and Statement of Nominal Capital. The fee should be confirmed during eCitizen checkout.
Business linking or official search, if required	Depends on portal status and service required	Older or non-verified records may need linking, search or correction before conversion can proceed.
Professional handling	Quoted per case	Depends on number of proprietors, shareholders, foreign directors, urgency, correction issues and post-registration support.
Post-conversion services	Quoted separately	May include company KRA PIN, bank account support, tax compliance, registered office or company secretary support.

Note: One BRS FAQ refers to payment of Kshs. 10,750 for private limited company registration, while the BRS fee schedule lists Kshs. 10,650. Use the BRS/eCitizen checkout amount as the final payable government charge.

How long does business name conversion take?

BRS lists cessation of a business name as approximately 1 day and private limited company registration as approximately 3–5 days. In practice, allow about 5–10 working days for a clean conversion where the business is linked and all documents are correct.

Stage	Expected timeline
Confirm details and portal status	Same day to 2 days, depending on whether the business is already linked.
Cessation to convert	About 1 day if the record is clear and all details are correct.
Company conversion and incorporation	About 3–5 working days after a complete company application is submitted.
Corrections, linking or manual follow-up	May extend the timeline, especially for older records or mismatched proprietor details.

What changes after conversion?

After conversion, the new entity is treated as a company rather than a sole proprietorship or partnership. This affects registration documents, banking, tax setup and business correspondence.

• A Certificate of Incorporation is issued for the company.
• The company receives a new registration identity separate from the old business name.
• The company has directors, shareholders and beneficial ownership records.
• The company may need its own KRA PIN and tax compliance setup.
• Banking arrangements may need to be updated or a new company bank account opened.
• Invoices, receipts, contracts, county licences, supplier records and tender profiles should be updated to the limited company name.

Checklist before you start the conversion

• Business name certificate or registration number.
• eCitizen/BRS login access for the proprietor or authorised owner.
• Confirmation that the business is linked and visible on BRS.
• Owner or partners’ ID/passport and KRA PIN details where applicable.
• Preferred company name and confirmation that “Limited” should be added.
• Director and shareholder details.
• Shareholding structure and share capital.
• Registered office address and contact details.
• Beneficial owner information.
• Signed DN-6 and signed system-generated incorporation forms.

Common mistakes that delay conversion

• Starting a new company registration instead of using the cessation to convert path.
• The business name is not linked to the owner’s BRS/eCitizen account.
• Proprietor names or ID details do not match the business name record.
• DN-6 is unsigned, incorrectly signed or uploaded in the wrong section.
• Shareholding, beneficial owner or registered office details are incomplete.
• Assuming KRA PIN, bank account and county licences automatically transfer without updates.
• Using the old business name in contracts after conversion has been approved.

Frequently asked questions

Can a sole proprietorship be converted into a limited company in Kenya?

Yes. A sole proprietorship registered as a business name can be converted into a private limited company through the BRS/eCitizen conversion process, beginning with cessation to convert and followed by company incorporation details.

Can a partnership business name be converted?

Yes, a business name registered as a partnership can also be converted, but all proprietor/partner details and authorisations should be consistent before filing the conversion.

Do I need to close the business name first?

The correct BRS route is not ordinary closure for abandonment. It is a cessation to convert application, which allows the business name record to transition into a company conversion process.

Will the limited company have the same name?

Usually the converted company keeps the core name with the required company ending, such as “Limited”, but final approval is subject to BRS name review and availability rules.

Do I need a new KRA PIN after conversion?

Yes, the company is a separate entity and normally requires its own company KRA PIN after incorporation. The proprietor’s individual PIN does not become the company PIN.

Do I need to update my bank and county licence?

Yes. After incorporation, update bank records, county licences, supplier portals, tender accounts, invoices and contracts to reflect the limited company details.

Can Biz Brokers Kenya handle the whole process?

Yes. We can assist with portal review, business linking checks, DN-6 preparation, company conversion filing, director/shareholder details, beneficial ownership, company PIN and post-conversion compliance support.

Convert your Business Name to a Limited Company in Kenya

Call +254 757 884 710 | Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com | Chat on WhatsApp | Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi

Official references: Business Registration Service (BRS) fee schedule, BRS Frequently Asked Questions, and BRS Version 2 services list. This page is an advisory guide and should be checked against the live BRS/eCitizen portal before filing.