DTI business registration means registering your business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its online Business Name Registration System (BNRS). As of 2026, any Filipino aged 18 or older can register online, choose a territorial scope, pay a fee of PhP 200 to PhP 2,000 plus a PhP 30 documentary stamp tax, and receive a certificate by email that is valid for five years. DTI registration is only the first step: you still need a barangay clearance, a Mayor's Permit and BIR registration before you can legally operate.

This guide walks you through the process in plain English, from choosing a name to what comes after DTI. It is written for first-time entrepreneurs in Roxas City and the rest of Capiz, but the steps are the same anywhere in the Philippines.

What DTI business registration covers (and what it doesn't)

A business name is any name you use for your business that is not your own true name. Think "Bayabas Bakeshop" or "Tatay Ben's Dried Fish" on your signboard, receipts and Facebook page. The DTI's BNRS page defines it as any name other than your true name used in connection with a business on receipts, transaction documents or signs.

DTI business name registration is mainly for sole proprietorships: businesses owned by one person. A few points to keep in mind:

  • Partnerships and corporations register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), not DTI. According to the DTI BNRS FAQ, only partnerships or corporations registered with the SEC may use words like "Company," "Corporation" or "Incorporated" in a business name.
  • Cooperatives register with the Cooperative Development Authority.
  • DTI registration is not a permit to operate. The BNRS FAQ says it plainly: to actually operate, you need a Business or Mayor's Permit from your city or municipality.

Who can register

Per the DTI BNRS FAQ, any Filipino who is at least 18 years old can register a business name. Foreign nationals, refugees and stateless persons aged 18 and above can also register, but they must submit extra documents at a DTI office. If you cannot do it yourself, a representative can file for you with a valid ID and an authorization letter signed by you.

DTI registration fees as of 2026

The fee depends on the territorial scope you choose, meaning the area where you want exclusive use of your business name. As of 2026, the DTI BNRS FAQ lists these fees:

  • Barangay: PhP 200
  • City or municipality: PhP 500
  • Regional: PhP 1,000
  • National: PhP 2,000

All registration fees carry an additional PhP 30 documentary stamp tax. So a city-level registration in Roxas City costs PhP 530 in total.

Which scope should you pick?

Pick the smallest scope that protects your plans. A carinderia that will only ever serve one barangay can choose barangay scope. A food brand you hope to sell across Panay may want regional scope. If you plan to sell online nationwide or open branches in Manila or Cebu, national scope protects your name everywhere. You can always register a wider scope later, but someone else may take the name in the meantime.

How to register your business name online, step by step

The BNRS registration guide lays out the official steps. In short:

  1. Go to BNRS and start a New Registration. Open bnrs.dti.gov.ph, choose New Registration and accept the terms and conditions.
  2. Fill in the owner's information. Use your name exactly as it appears on your government ID.
  3. Choose your territorial scope and business name. Your name has two parts: the dominant name (the distinctive part, like "Bayabas") and the descriptor (what you do, like "Bakeshop"). Click "Check Name Availability." If the name is taken, try another.
  4. Save your reference code. BNRS gives you a reference code that you will use for every later transaction. Screenshot it or write it down.
  5. Complete the remaining details. This covers your business address, personal information, residence address and other details.
  6. Review and accept the undertaking. Check every field, especially your email address, because your certificate will be sent there.
  7. Pay the fee. The guide lists payment options including DTI tellers, GCash, Maya (PayMaya), Landbank Link.Biz and credit or debit cards.
  8. Receive your certificate. Once payment is confirmed, your Certificate of Business Name Registration and official receipt arrive by email. Check your spam folder if you don't see them.

Important: pay within seven calendar days. The registration guide says unpaid applications are treated as abandoned and nullified after that.

Tips for choosing a business name that passes

  • Avoid names that copy or closely resemble well-known brands. They are likely to be rejected and can cause legal trouble later.
  • Don't use "Corporation," "Inc." or "Company" if you are a sole proprietor.
  • Keep it easy to spell and search. Customers will type it into Facebook and Google.
  • Check that the matching Facebook page name and domain are free before you pay.

Renewal: how long your DTI registration lasts

Your registration is valid for five years from the date of registration. The BNRS FAQ sets out the renewal windows:

  • Early filing: up to 180 calendar days before the expiry date.
  • Regular filing: within 90 calendar days after expiry.
  • Late filing: within the next 90 calendar days, with a surcharge of 50% of the registration fee.

If you miss all three windows, the registration is cancelled and your business name becomes available to anyone else. Put the expiry date in your phone calendar the day you register.

After DTI: the rest of the registration path

Many first-time owners stop at DTI and assume they are done. You are not. The usual order for a sole proprietor is:

  1. DTI business name registration (this guide).
  2. Barangay clearance from the barangay where your business is located.
  3. Mayor's Permit or Business Permit from your city or municipal hall. In Roxas City, ask at City Hall's business permits office for the current requirements, which usually include your DTI certificate, barangay clearance, proof of address or lease, and other clearances depending on your business.
  4. BIR registration. Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue using BIR Form 1901 for self-employed individuals, either at your Revenue District Office or online through ORUS, the BIR's Online Registration and Update System. You will also need to sort out invoices and books of accounts. Good news: since January 22, 2024, under the Ease of Paying Taxes Act (Republic Act No. 11976), the BIR no longer collects the old PhP 500 annual registration fee.
  5. Employer registrations with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG if you will hire workers.

Some businesses also need special permits, for example food processors, water refilling stations and businesses that sell regulated products. Ask your city or municipal hall and the relevant agency before you invest.

Get free help at a Negosyo Center

Under the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act No. 10644), the government set up Negosyo Centers in provinces, cities and municipalities to help small businesses with registration, advice and training. If the online steps feel confusing, visit the Negosyo Center or DTI provincial office nearest you. Staff can walk you through BNRS, and most advisory services are free.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Typing the wrong email address. Your certificate goes there. A typo means a support ticket and delays.
  • Forgetting to pay within seven days. You will have to start over, and the name might be taken.
  • Treating DTI as your only permit. Operating without a Mayor's Permit and BIR registration can mean penalties and closure.
  • Letting the five-year registration lapse. Someone else can register your name.
  • Using fixers. The online process is simple enough to do yourself. Only pay through official channels listed on BNRS.

Frequently asked questions

How much is DTI business registration in 2026?

As of 2026, the fee is PhP 200 (barangay), PhP 500 (city or municipality), PhP 1,000 (regional) or PhP 2,000 (national), plus a PhP 30 documentary stamp tax. Always check the official BNRS FAQ for the latest rates.

Can I register my business with DTI online?

Yes. Filipino citizens can complete the whole process on bnrs.dti.gov.ph and pay online. The certificate is sent by email once payment is confirmed. Foreign nationals and refugees need to submit documents at a DTI office.

How long is a DTI business name registration valid?

Five years from the date of registration. You can renew up to 180 days early, and there is a 50% surcharge if you renew during the late-filing period.

Is a DTI certificate enough to start selling?

No. It only registers your business name. You also need a barangay clearance, a Mayor's Permit and BIR registration before you operate.

Start your negosyo with a community behind you

Registering a business is easier when you have people to ask. If you are still choosing what to sell, read our list of negosyo ideas for the province and our guide to entrepreneurship in the Philippines. JCI Roxas Halaran brings together young men aged 18 to 40 who are building businesses, careers and projects in Capiz. Join us and grow your negosyo alongside other young leaders.