How to Register a Business Name in Kenya on eCitizen: Cost and Steps

No lawyer, no queue at Sheria House. Registering a business name in Kenya is done online on eCitizen, and costs KES 950.

You apply with your ID, KRA PIN and three name choices, pay by M-Pesa, and your certificate is usually ready within a day. The fee is from the official BRS fee schedule, checked October 2026. Guides that mention a separate KES 150 name search are out of date.

What it costs to register and maintain a business name

Source: BRS Fee Schedule – Companies Registry.

Business name or private limited company: which one do you need?

A business name is how you register a sole trader or a partnership. It's cheap and fast, and it's what most small traders, kiosk owners, salons, consultants and freelancers in Kenya use. But it isn't a separate legal entity: in law, you are the business, so you're personally responsible for its debts, and the name doesn't stop someone else registering a company with the same name later.

A private limited company is a separate legal entity. It costs KES 10,650 to register, takes 3–5 days, and gives you limited liability, so your personal assets are protected if the business is sued or runs into debt it can't pay. Banks, bigger suppliers and government tender boards often prefer dealing with a registered company once you're past the early stage.

If you're testing an idea, running a one-person hustle, or starting something like a mini-supermarket, a business name is the right starting point. BRS lists business-name-to-company conversion as a standard service on the same portal, so you can convert later if you take on investors or need the liability protection.

What you need before you start

• A clear photo or scan of your national ID or passport
• Your personal KRA PIN. A business name uses your own PIN, not a separate one. KRA's guidance says so directly: "a sole proprietorship uses the proprietor's individual PIN for all transactions." If you don't have a PIN yet, get one first, because you can't submit the application without it.
• Three proposed business names, in order of preference, in case your first choice is already taken
• A short description of what the business will do
• A registered physical and postal address
• A phone number and email linked to your eCitizen account
• A way to pay online: M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard

If you're registering a partnership, every partner needs their own ID and KRA PIN too.

How to register, step by step

1. Log in to eCitizen with your national ID, creating an account first if you don't already have one.
2. Open the Business Registration Service (BRS) from your eCitizen dashboard. It now runs on BRS Version 2.
3. Start a new business name application and enter your three proposed names, in order of preference. Availability is checked as part of this same application; there's no separate reservation step to pay for anymore.
4. Fill in the BN2 form: proprietor (or partners') details, the nature of the business, and the registered address.
5. Review everything carefully. A typo in your name or ID number here is the most common reason applications bounce back for correction.
6. Submit and pay the KES 950 fee by M-Pesa or card.
7. Wait for approval. It usually takes about a day if your names and documents are in order.
8. Download your Certificate of Registration as a PDF once approved, and keep a copy. Banks and licensing offices will ask to see it.

After you're registered

Getting the certificate isn't the end of the admin. A few things typically follow in the first few weeks:

• eTIMS: if you'll be invoicing clients or want to claim expenses against tax, sign up for eTIMS and start generating compliant invoices.
• County licence: your BRS certificate is a national registration and doesn't cover county trading rules. You'll still need a Single Business Permit from your county government before trading from physical premises. Fees vary by county and type of business, so confirm with your county revenue office rather than relying on a figure for another town.
• NSSF and SHIF: as a self-employed person you can, and increasingly are expected to, contribute to your own NSSF retirement savings and SHIF health cover, even with no employees yet.
• Hiring staff: the moment you put someone on payroll, you're responsible for deducting PAYE. Run the numbers through our Kenya PAYE calculator before you quote a salary.

Common registration mistakes

Fake "free registration" offers. In August 2026, BRS publicly warned Kenyans against viral social media messages offering free company registration, stating it "has not authorised, endorsed, or partnered" in any such initiative. Register only through eCitizen directly. Never pay anyone who messages you a "shortcut" link, and never hand your ID or KRA PIN details to someone outside the official portal.

Assuming a business name protects you like a company does. It doesn't. If the business can't pay a debt or loses a court case, your personal savings, car or land can be at risk. If that worries you, budget for the company route instead.

Picking only one name. Common, generic names are usually already taken, and that can stall your whole application. Submit three different options so you're not stuck resubmitting.

Trusting outdated guides on a separate name-search fee. Plenty of older articles still quote a standalone KES 150 name-search step before registration. BRS merged that into the single KES 950 application, so don't budget for it separately.

Frequently asked questions

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

KES 950, paid online through eCitizen's BRS portal. That one fee now covers both checking your proposed names and registering the business, confirmed on BRS's own fee schedule as of October 2026.

Do I need a KRA PIN to register a business name?

Yes. You use your own personal KRA PIN, because a business name doesn't get a separate one. If you don't have a PIN yet, apply for it before you start the BRS application.

How long does business name registration take in Kenya?

Around one day once you submit a complete, correctly filled application and your names clear, per BRS's published turnaround for the Certificate of Registration.

Can I register a business name without visiting a government office?

Yes. Name submission, the form, payment and the certificate all happen on eCitizen. You shouldn't need to visit Sheria House or a Huduma Centre unless you hit a problem the portal can't resolve on its own.

What's the difference between a business name and a limited company?

A business name registers a sole trader or partnership. It's fast and cheap at KES 950, but you're personally responsible for the business's debts. A private limited company (KES 10,650) is a separate legal entity with limited liability, and it's what most investors and bigger clients expect to deal with.

Does registering a business name mean my business is tax compliant?

No. It only creates the legal name. You still need to register for VAT if you pass the threshold, file returns and set up eTIMS for invoicing. Registration is the first step, not the last.