Want to see it running in your own business first?
Sign UpThe complete process to register your business name
Follow these 5 steps to register your business name in Kenya.
- 1
Step 1: Check if your business name is available (Free)
Go to www.cipo.go.ke and click "Business Name Search." Type your desired business name and search. CIPO shows you all registered names. If your exact name appears, it's taken and unavailable. If it doesn't appear, it's available. Alternatively, visit CIPO offices in Nairobi (Jalan House, Mama Ngina Street) and ask staff to search for you (free, takes 10 minutes). Pro tip: search 2-3 alternative names in case your first choice is taken.
- 2
Step 2: Gather your documents (2 hours)
Collect: (1) Your national ID or passport (original + photocopy), (2) Proof of residential address (utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement showing your name and address), (3) Brief business description (1-2 sentences: "I sell clothing retail in Nairobi" is enough). If you're registering a partnership, bring all partners' IDs. If registering on behalf of someone, bring authorization letter + your ID.
- 3
Step 3: Download and complete Form BN/1 (30 minutes)
Download Form BN/1 (Business Name Registration Form) from www.cipo.go.ke or get a physical copy at CIPO offices. Fill in: (1) Your full name, (2) Business name (print clearly), (3) Proposed alternative names (2 backups in case primary is rejected), (4) Business description, (5) Business address (physical location where customers can find you), (6) Contact phone and email, (7) Whether you're sole trader, partnership, or other. Use BLACK INK and print legibly, illegible forms are returned.
- 4
Step 4: Submit online or in-person (1-2 hours)
OPTION A (Recommended - Faster & Cheaper): Go to www.cipo.go.ke, create an account, log in, fill the form online, upload scans of your ID and proof of address, pay KES 2,500 via bank transfer or M-Pesa, submit. Confirmation is instant. OPTION B (In-Person): Go to CIPO offices (Jalan House, Nairobi, or CIPO branches in other cities), bring physical Form BN/1 + original documents, pay KES 5,000 in cash, get a receipt. Staff will verify your documents on the spot.
- 5
Step 5: Wait for approval and collect certificate (2 weeks)
CIPO processes your application in 14 business days. Check status online using your application number (if online) or call CIPO at 020-2245555. Once approved, you receive a Business Name Registration Certificate via email (if online) or in person. The certificate shows: your name, business name, registration number, date registered, and expiration date (5 years). Print it and keep the original safe. You'll need it for bank accounts, business licenses, and contracts.
Common mistakes during registration
Submitting a name that's already taken
Skip the availability check, pay KES 2,500, and get rejected 2 weeks later. The fee is non-refundable. Always check availability first (free).
Incomplete or illegible documents
Form BN/1 written in pencil, bad photocopy, illegible ID number. CIPO rejects it and asks for resubmission. Use black pen, clear photocopies, and readable handwriting.
Using wrong business address
Putting a residential address instead of business address, or a P.O. Box. CIPO may reject it. Use the physical location where you actually operate or where customers can find you.
Submitting only 1 name with no alternatives
If your primary name is already taken, your application is rejected. Always submit 2-3 alternative names so CIPO can approve one of them.
Not following up or forgetting to collect certificate
A trader gets approved but forgets to collect the certificate. Months later, when he needs it for a bank account, CIPO's office is closed or he's lost the reference number. Collect immediately once approved, make color copies, and keep safe.
A farmer registers her vegetable business name in 3 hours
Take a vegetable grower in Kiambu selling at farmers' markets, informal for two years and wanting to register a trading name for credibility with suppliers and access to a business bank account. The whole thing can be done from home on a Saturday morning with a phone and a laptop. Here is the sequence, timed.
Step 1 (5 min): Search your intended name on the CIPO portal. No results means it is available. Check two alternatives at the same time and keep them as backups, because a name can be rejected for similarity to one already registered and having a second choice ready saves a full round trip.
Step 2 (10 min): She gathers her national ID, a recent M-Pesa statement showing her Kiambu address, and writes "Growing and selling fresh vegetables wholesale and retail" as her business description.
Step 3 (20 min): She downloads Form BN/1, fills it carefully, and scans it with her phone camera.
Step 4 (15 min): Create a CIPO account, upload the completed form, an ID scan and proof of payment, nominate your primary name with the backup behind it, and pay the registration fee. Confirmation arrives immediately. Check the current fee on the portal rather than budgeting from an article.
Step 5 (about two weeks): Approval arrives by email. Download the Business Name Registration Certificate, print it, and send a copy to your bank, which is what a business account application will ask for. From there the trading name sits behind an official record: suppliers read the business differently, and any later finance application has proof of registration attached to it rather than a promise.
Many new Kenyan businesses stall on avoidable basics: no clean records, no eTIMS set up, and no clear view of what actually sells.
Veira gets you selling, compliant and tracking stock from day one, so the admin does not bury the business.
How Veira helps after registration
Once your name is registered, you need to prove it's a real business with real income. When you open a business bank account, the bank will ask for 3-6 months of financial records. Veira connects to your bank and shows all your business transactions automatically, giving you clean records that match your registered business name.
When tax season comes, the KRA will want to see that your business name matches your tax returns, and that your declared income is real and consistent. Veira generates tax-ready reports that prove both.
If you ever need a business loan or want to bring in a business partner, lenders and partners will want to see financial statements under your registered business name. Veira generates these automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the entire registration online?
What if CIPO rejects my name?
How much does registration cost if I go in person?
Do I need to register every time I start a new business?
What if I registered 5 years ago, do I need to re-register?
Can I change my business name after it's registered?
Is there a difference between business name and company registration?
What if two people want to register the same name in different cities?
Registering your business name takes 2 weeks and costs KES 2,500 online. It's the fastest, cheapest way to protect your brand and prove you're a legitimate business. Follow the 5 steps above, keep your certificate safe, and renew every 5 years. That's it.
Need help, or want to talk it through first? Chat with us on WhatsApp