Registering a business name in Kenya is now done completely online through eBizRegistry. This guide shows you every step from search to certificate collection.
What is eBizRegistry?
eBizRegistry is the online portal for business registration in Kenya. Run by the Office of the Registrar of Companies. You can search available business names. Register sole proprietor businesses. Register partnerships. Reserve business names. Download registration certificates. All done online without visiting physical offices.
Types of Business You Can Register
Sole Proprietor: Business owned by one person. Simplest and cheapest to register. You’re personally liable for debts. No separate legal entity from you.
Partnership: Business owned by 2-10 people. Partners share profits and responsibilities. Need partnership deed. More complex than sole proprietorship.
Limited Company: Separate legal entity—register through different process. Not covered in this guide.
What You Need Before Starting
Valid national ID. KRA PIN number. Email address. Active phone number. Mpesa for payment. At least 3 business name ideas (in case first choice is taken). KES 1,550 for sole proprietor registration. KES 2,100 for partnership registration.
Example: Have backup names ready—popular names are often already registered.
Step 1: Visit eBizRegistry Website
Open your web browser. Type https://ebizregistry.go.ke in the address bar. Press Enter to load the website. Wait for the homepage to appear. You’ll see a blue and white government portal.
Example: Make sure the URL shows “ebizregistry.go.ke”—this is the official government portal only.
Step 2: Create User Account
Look for “Register” or “Sign Up” link on homepage. Click it to start registration. If you already have account, skip to Step 7 and log in. Fill in the registration form that appears.
Example: You only register once—after that just log in with your details.
Step 3: Fill Registration Details
Enter your full name as on national ID. Type your ID number carefully. Provide your KRA PIN. Enter your active phone number—format: 0712345678. Type your email address—check for errors. This email receives all notifications.
Example:
- Name: Jane Wanjiru Kamau
- ID: 12345678
- KRA PIN: A123456789Z
- Phone: 0722123456
- Email: jane.kamau@gmail.com
Step 4: Create Login Password
Think of a strong password. Type it in the “Password” field. Must be at least 8 characters. Mix capital letters, small letters, and numbers. Type same password in “Confirm Password” field.
Example: Good password: eBiz@2026 Bad password: 12345678
Step 5: Complete Account Setup
Tick the terms and conditions checkbox. Complete CAPTCHA security check if shown. Click “Submit” or “Register” button. Wait for confirmation message. Check your email for verification link. Click the link to activate your account.
Example: Verification email might take 5-10 minutes to arrive. Check spam folder if you don’t see it.
Step 6: Verify Your Email
Open the verification email from eBizRegistry. Click on the activation link inside. Your browser opens confirming account is active. Your account is now ready to use.
Step 7: Log In to eBizRegistry
Go back to eBizRegistry homepage. Click “Login” button. Enter your email address. Enter your password. Click “Sign In” to access your account. Your dashboard will load.
Example: If you forgot password, click “Forgot Password” and follow reset instructions.
Step 8: Search for Business Name
On your dashboard, find “Name Search” or “Business Name Search”. Click on it. A search box appears. Type the business name you want to register. Click “Search” button. System checks if name is available.
Example: If you want “Kamau Hardware”, type Kamau Hardware and search.
Step 9: Check Search Results
System shows if name is available or taken. If “Not Available” appears, the name is already registered. Try a different name. If “Available” shows, you can proceed to register it. Note any warnings or suggestions shown.
Example: If “Kamau Hardware” is taken, try “Kamau Hardware Solutions” or “JK Hardware”.
Step 10: Reserve the Name
After finding available name, click “Reserve” or “Proceed”. System reserves the name for you temporarily. Reservation lasts 30-60 days. This prevents others from taking it while you complete registration. Note down your reservation reference number.
Example: Reservation reference might be RES123456. Write it down.
Step 11: Start Business Registration
From your dashboard, click “Register Business” or “New Registration”. Select business type: “Sole Proprietor” or “Partnership”. Click on your choice. Registration form opens.
Example: Most small businesses choose “Sole Proprietor” as it’s simpler and cheaper.
Step 12: Enter Business Details
Type your business name (the reserved one). Enter business description—what you’ll do. Examples: “Retail of clothing”, “Hardware sales”, “Freelance consulting”. Select business category from dropdown. Choose your county location. Select sub-county or town.
Example:
- Name: Kamau Hardware Solutions
- Description: Retail and wholesale of hardware products
- Category: Retail Trade
- Location: Nairobi, Westlands
Step 13: Enter Proprietor/Partner Information
For sole proprietor, your details auto-fill. Verify they’re correct. For partnership, enter details of all partners. Each partner’s name, ID number, and KRA PIN. Specify each partner’s role. Indicate profit-sharing ratio if applicable.
Example: Partnership example:
- Partner 1: Jane Kamau, 40% share
- Partner 2: Peter Njoroge, 60% share
Step 14: Provide Business Address
Enter your business physical address. Street name or plot number. Building name if any. County and sub-county. Postal address—P.O. Box and postal code. Business phone number. Business email if different from yours.
Example:
- Physical: Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi
- Postal: P.O. Box 12345-00100, Nairobi
- Phone: 0722123456
Step 15: Upload Required Documents
Look for “Upload Documents” section. For sole proprietor, upload: Copy of your national ID (both sides). Copy of your KRA PIN certificate. For partnerships, also upload: Partnership deed. Copies of all partners’ IDs. All partners’ KRA PIN certificates.
Example: Save documents as PDF or clear JPEG, under 2MB each.
Step 16: Review Your Application
Scroll through entire form. Check business name is spelled correctly. Verify all personal details are accurate. Confirm address information is right. Review uploaded documents are clear. Look for any red error messages.
Example: One mistake can delay registration—take time to verify everything.
Step 17: Submit Application
At bottom of form, click “Submit” or “Proceed to Payment”. System validates your information. If errors exist, you’ll be shown where to fix. If everything is okay, payment page opens. You’ll see the registration fee amount.
Example: Fee for sole proprietor is KES 1,550. Partnership is KES 2,100.
Step 18: Make Payment
Choose payment method—usually Mpesa. Enter your Mpesa phone number. Click “Pay” or “Submit Payment”. Check your phone for Mpesa prompt. Enter your Mpesa PIN to authorize payment. Wait for payment confirmation.
Example: Mpesa prompt says: “Enter PIN to pay KES 1,550 to eBizRegistry”.
Step 19: Get Payment Confirmation
After successful payment, you’ll see confirmation message. Note your registration reference number. You’ll receive SMS confirmation. Email confirmation also sent. This confirms your business registration is submitted.
Example: Reference number might be BR123456789. Save this number.
Step 20: Wait for Processing
eBizRegistry processes your application. Usually takes 1-5 working days. You’ll receive email when approved. SMS notification also sent. You can check status by logging into your account.
Example: Most registrations are approved within 2-3 days if all details are correct.
How to Check Application Status
Log into eBizRegistry portal. Go to “My Applications” or “Application Status”. Find your business registration. Status shows: Submitted, Under Review, Approved, or Rejected. Click on it for more details.
Example: Check every day after submitting to see when it’s approved.
Download Registration Certificate
After approval, log into your account. Go to “My Businesses” or “Certificates”. Find your registered business. Click “Download Certificate” button. PDF certificate downloads to your device. Save it securely—this is your official registration proof.
Example: Certificate shows your business name, registration number, and owner details.
What’s on the Certificate
Business name and registration number. Owner’s name (or partners’ names). Business address. Date of registration. Registrar’s seal and signature. Registration number format: BN/12345678.
Example: Keep both digital and printed copies safe.
Understanding Registration Number
Your business gets a unique registration number. Format: BN/ followed by numbers. This number identifies your business officially. Use it on invoices, contracts, and official documents. Keep it safe—you’ll need it for tax and licensing.
Example: Registration number: BN/456789/2026
Next Steps After Registration
Open business bank account—banks require certificate. Register business with KRA for tax purposes. Get necessary business licenses for your county. Apply for permits if needed for your business type. Start operating legally. Keep certificate safely for renewals.
Example: County business permits cost KES 5,000-30,000 depending on business type and location.
Business Name Renewal
Business name registration lasts 5 years for sole proprietors. Must renew before expiry to keep operating. Partnerships renew annually. Log into eBizRegistry when renewal is due. Pay renewal fee—usually KES 1,000. Certificate gets extended for next period.
Example: System sends reminder emails before expiry date.
Common Problems and Solutions
Name not available: Try variations of your desired name. Add descriptive words like “Solutions”, “Enterprises”, “Traders”. Consider different location names.
Payment failing: Check Mpesa balance is sufficient. Ensure correct phone number entered. Try again after a few minutes. Use different payment method if available.
Documents not uploading: Reduce file size to under 2MB. Use PDF or JPEG format only. Clear browser cache and try again. Try from computer instead of phone.
Application rejected: Read rejection reason carefully. Fix issues mentioned. Resubmit application. Contact eBizRegistry support if unclear.
Can’t download certificate: Clear browser cache. Try different browser like Chrome or Firefox. Log out and log back in. Contact support if problem persists.
Important Tips
Search multiple names before deciding—have backups ready. Use descriptive business names that explain what you do. Avoid names too similar to famous brands—they’ll be rejected. Keep all registration documents safe. Update address or details when they change. Renew before expiry to avoid penalties. Never pay agents—do it yourself and save money.
Prohibited Business Names
Names too similar to existing businesses. Government department names. Names suggesting government connection. Offensive or vulgar names. Names of famous people without permission. Banking or insurance terms (unless you’re licensed).
Example: Can’t use names like “Safaricom Traders” or “KRA Services”.
Tax Registration After Business Registration
With your certificate, register for business tax. Use iTax portal (www.itax.kra.go.ke). Register for Income Tax. Get Tax Compliance Certificate. File annual returns even if no income. Keep tax records for at least 5 years.
Cost Summary
Name search: FREE. Name reservation: FREE. Sole proprietor registration: KES 1,550. Partnership registration: KES 2,100. Certificate download: FREE. Annual renewal (sole proprietor): KES 1,000 after 5 years. Partnership annual renewal: KES 1,000.
Contact eBizRegistry Support
If you need help, contact them: Email: info@ebizregistry.go.ke. Phone: 020-221-1710 or 020-221-1711. Visit: Sheria House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi. Working hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Huduma Centres also provide assistance with business registration.
Benefits of Online Registration
No need to visit physical offices. Faster processing—days instead of weeks. Lower costs compared to old system. Available 24/7. Immediate certificate download. Track application status online. Reduced paperwork. Transparent process.
Registering your business name online is straightforward when you follow these steps. Having a registered business allows you to operate legally, open bank accounts, and access opportunities like tenders and contracts. It’s the first step to building a successful business in Kenya.