Full Business Registration Guide Philippines: DTI, SEC, Barangay, Mayor's Permit, BIR, DOLE, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG

This guide is for Filipino founders who want to register a new business properly the first time. It covers sole proprietorships, One Person Corporations (OPCs), regular corporations and partnerships owned by Filipinos. Foreign ownership brings extra rules, so it isn't covered here.

You'll get the full sequence of agencies, what each one needs from you, how long each step usually takes and a realistic budget. Every government fee here comes from an official fee schedule or law, and we've labeled our estimates as estimates. Figures are as of October 2026.

If you have already registered your business name and only need the tax side, our BIR registration guide goes deeper on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Key takeaways

• A sole proprietorship registers its business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The fee is ₱200 (barangay scope), ₱500 (city or municipality), ₱1,000 (regional) or ₱2,000 (national), plus ₱30 documentary stamp tax (DST). The registration is valid for five years.
• Corporations, OPCs and partnerships register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) instead of the DTI. The usual route is the SEC's online eSPARC system. The SEC filing fee is 1/5 of 1% of authorized capital stock or the subscription price, whichever is higher, with a ₱2,000 minimum, plus a legal research fee of 1% of the filing fee.
• Most domestic corporations, OPCs included, have no minimum capital requirement under the Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232). An OPC doesn't file bylaws.
• No city or municipality may issue a business permit until the barangay has issued a clearance. The barangay must act on your application within 7 working days. Mayor's permit fees depend on your declared capital and vary by LGU (local government unit).
• BIR registration through ORUS (Online Registration and Update System) costs ₱30 in loose DST and takes about 3 days under the BIR Citizen's Charter (2026 edition). The ₱500 annual registration fee was abolished from January 22, 2024 under the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act.
• Registering books of accounts and getting an Authority to Print (ATP) are free at the BIR. You pay only for the books and the printing. Covered taxpayers, except Micro taxpayers, must issue electronic invoices by December 31, 2026 under RMC No. 98-2026.
• Once you have employees, you register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG and register your establishment with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). None of these charges a registration fee. Plan on roughly 3–5 weeks from start to finish for a sole proprietorship and 4–7 weeks for a corporation.

Overview

Business registration in the Philippines happens in layers. First you create the business, either as a name registered with the DTI or as a juridical entity registered with the SEC. Next you get permission to operate at a specific address from the barangay and the city or municipality. Then you register for taxes with the BIR. Finally, when you hire, you register as an employer with the social agencies and DOLE.

The order matters because each agency asks for the previous agency's certificate. For example, Quezon City asks for your DTI or SEC registration before issuing a business permit. The BIR expects you to register on or before you start doing business, or within 30 calendar days of your mayor's permit or DTI certificate, whichever comes first.

Regulated industries need more than this list. Food businesses, clinics, recruitment agencies, lending companies, security agencies and others need licenses from agencies such as the FDA, DOH, DMW, SEC or PNP before or alongside the mayor's permit. Check your industry before you sign a lease.

Timeline

These two timelines show how the steps usually overlap for a small Metro Manila business with complete documents.

The timelines assume complete, consistent documents and no name or zoning problems. Actual times vary by LGU, by RDO workload and by the season. January permit renewals slow many city halls down.

Requirements

DTI (sole proprietorship only)

• Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old
• Proposed business name (have two or three back-ups)
• A valid government ID, which you upload or present
• Chosen territorial scope: barangay, city or municipality, regional or national
• Payment via GCash, Maya, card, 7-Eleven, Bayad Center or Landbank Link.Biz
• If someone files for you: an authorization letter and their valid ID

SEC (OPC, corporation or partnership)

• Verified and reserved company name
• Articles of Incorporation (or Articles of Partnership), generated in eSPARC
• Bylaws, for regular corporations only. An OPC is not required to file bylaws (Section 119, RA 11232).
• For an OPC: names, residences and contact details of a nominee and an alternate nominee, plus their written consent (Section 124, RA 11232)
• Details of incorporators, directors, officers and the treasurer, with TINs
• Subscription and paid-up capital details
• Cover sheet and any other forms eSPARC generates
• Proof of payment of SEC fees
• Hard copies or notarized documents if the SEC asks for them. Follow the instructions in your eSPARC account.

Barangay clearance

• DTI certificate or SEC certificate
• Contract of lease, or a land title or tax declaration if you own the space
• Valid ID of the owner or authorized officer
• Community tax certificate (cedula), in many barangays
• Location sketch or photos, in some barangays

Mayor's or business permit (Quezon City example)

Quezon City's checklist for a new business permit (Business Permits and Licensing Department, 2025) asks for:

• Proof of business registration: DTI (sole proprietor), SEC (corporation, partnership or OPC), CDA (cooperative)
• Proof of right to use the space: contract of lease, land title or tax declaration, affidavit of undertaking (government-owned) or usufruct agreement or letter authorizing use (if rent-free)
• Valid ID of the business owner
• If a representative files: the QC authorization template and the representative's valid ID
• Photos of the business location
• Other documents as needed, for example a locational or zoning clearance, fire safety inspection and sanitary permit

Other LGUs, including Manila, use their own forms and may still ask for a barangay clearance, cedula, occupancy permit or notarized application. Ask your LGU's business permit office for its current checklist.

BIR

Sole proprietors and professionals (Form 1901):

• Any government-issued ID showing your name, address and birthdate (PRC ID as well for licensed professionals). Online applicants upload a selfie holding the ID.
• DTI certificate, if you use a business name
• A final sample of your own invoice, or you buy BIR Printed Invoices (BPI) at the RDO
• Special Power of Attorney and IDs, if a representative files
• Certificate of Authority, if you're a Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE)

Corporations, OPCs and partnerships (Form 1903):

• SEC Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Recording (digital certificate accepted)
• Articles of Incorporation or Partnership
• A final sample of your own invoice, or BPI
• Board resolution, written resolution (for an OPC) or secretary's certificate naming the authorized representative, plus IDs

Books of accounts (Form 1905):

• Manual books: new permanently bound journals and ledgers
• Loose-leaf books: Permit to Use plus bound loose-leaf pages
• Computerized books: Acknowledgement Certificate or Permit to Use for the system, and electronic books on a storage device

DOLE

• Accomplished establishment registration form under Rule 1020 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• DTI or SEC registration and business permit
• Number of employees, nature of business and safety officer details

SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG

• SSS: employer registration through the Central Business Portal (business.gov.ph) or My.SSS. Branch filing with the Employer Registration Form (R-1) is still possible. Employees are reported with the Employment Report (R-1A), and authorized signatories file the Specimen Signature Card (L-501). CBP-registered employers don't need to submit Form R-1.
• PhilHealth: register through the Philippine Business Registry, or submit your DTI or SEC registration with the Employer Data Record (ER1) and one PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF) per employee.
• Pag-IBIG: Employer's Data Form, specimen signature form, DTI or SEC papers, business permit and a received copy of SSS Form R-1A, filed at the branch covering your address.

Step-by-step procedure

Step 1: Choose your business structure

A sole proprietorship is the fastest and cheapest to set up, but you are personally liable for business debts. A business name doesn't create a separate legal person. An OPC gives a single owner limited liability. The single stockholder is the sole director and president, and must appoint a treasurer and corporate secretary within 15 days of incorporation (Sections 121 and 122, RA 11232). A regular corporation needs 2 to 15 incorporators. Partnerships also register with the SEC.

Step 2: Register the name with the DTI (sole proprietorship)

• What to do: Search for and register your business name, choose a territorial scope, then pay.
• Where: bnrs.dti.gov.ph
• What you get: Certificate of Business Name Registration, valid for 5 years
• Time: Usually completed online in one sitting once payment posts (estimate)
• Fee: ₱200 to ₱2,000 by scope, plus ₱30 DST. Renewal opens 180 days before expiry, and late renewal costs a 50% surcharge.

The DTI notes that a business name registration only gives your business a legal identity. You still need a mayor's permit to operate.

Step 3: Register with the SEC (OPC, corporation or partnership)

• What to do: Verify and reserve the company name, enter company and capital details, generate the Articles (and bylaws for regular corporations), upload documents and pay.
• Where: SEC eSPARC, linked from sec.gov.ph
• What you get: Certificate of Incorporation (or Certificate of Recording for partnerships) and approved Articles
• Time: Approval in about 3 working days after the evaluator clears the application. OneSEC processing offers a one-day review to qualifying all-Filipino corporations with perpetual terms, industry-based names and no economic-zone location.
• Fees: Filing fee of 1/5 of 1% of authorized capital stock or subscription price (minimum ₱2,000), legal research fee of 1% of the filing fee and ₱30 DST per filing, plus name and bylaws fees where applicable

Check your company name early. A name already registered, or too similar to an existing name, can't be used, and a rejected name means starting over.

Step 4: Get your barangay clearance

• What to do: Apply at the barangay hall where your business is located.
• What you get: Barangay business clearance
• Time: The barangay must act within 7 working days. If it doesn't, the city or municipality may issue the permit anyway (Section 152(c), Local Government Code).
• Fee: The barangay sets a "reasonable fee" by ordinance. Budget roughly ₱300–₱2,000 (estimate, varies by barangay).

Step 5: Get your mayor's or business permit

• What to do: Apply at your LGU's business permit office or online portal. In Quezon City you file through QC e-Services. Zoning checks your location, the system generates a tax bill, you pay the City Treasurer, and you receive an electronic copy of the permit.
• What you get: Mayor's permit or business permit, renewable every January
• Time: Varies by LGU, zoning and inspections. Budget 1–2 weeks (estimate).
• Fees: Business tax plus regulatory fees. For a newly started business, the Local Government Code caps the business tax at 1/20 of 1% of capital investment (Section 143). Cities may charge up to 50% more under Section 151. Regulatory fees such as the permit fee, sanitary permit, garbage fee and fire safety inspection fee are set by local ordinance.

Step 6: Register with the BIR through ORUS

• What to do: Create an ORUS account, fill in the online registration (Form 1901 for individuals, 1903 for juridical entities), upload documents and pay ₱30 loose DST online once approved. Then download your Certificate of Registration (Form 2303). You can also file at your RDO's New Business Registrant Counter.
• Where: orus.bir.gov.ph, or the RDO with jurisdiction over your business address
• What you get: TIN, Certificate of Registration (Form 2303), Notice to Issue Invoice and ATP (if applicable)
• Time: 3 days online and 1 day walk-in, per the BIR Citizen's Charter (2026 edition)
• Fee: ₱30 DST. There is no more ₱500 annual registration fee and no more Form 0605 every January.

Display your Form 2303 at your place of business. If you sell online, post your proof of registration on your selling page as RR 7-2024 requires.

Step 7: Register books of accounts and set up invoicing

• Books: File Form 1905 with your manual, loose-leaf or computerized books. The BIR charges no processing fee and releases signed books in about 1 day.
• Invoices: Since RR 7-2024, the invoice is the primary sales document and official receipts are no longer the main evidence of sale. You either buy BIR Printed Invoices at the RDO or have an accredited printer print your own after the BIR issues an Authority to Print (Form 1906, no BIR fee).
• E-invoicing: RMC No. 98-2026 requires covered taxpayers, except Micro taxpayers, to issue electronic invoices on or before December 31, 2026. Covered taxpayers are Small, Medium and Large e-commerce sellers, large taxpayers, and users of CAS, CBA or other invoicing software. See our guide to the December 31, 2026 e-invoicing deadline.
• Corporations: The original issue of shares is subject to DST of ₱2 for every ₱200 of par value (Section 174, NIRC as amended by RA 10963). That works out to 1% of the par value of shares issued.

Step 8: Register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG

• SSS: Register through business.gov.ph or My.SSS. Branch validation follows, then you set your password from the email link. Coverage starts on the first day of operation, and employees must be reported within 30 days of hiring.
• PhilHealth: Register through the Philippine Business Registry, or submit your DTI or SEC registration, ER1 and employee PMRFs at a PhilHealth office. You receive a PEN and a Certificate of Registration, which you must display.
• Pag-IBIG: File the Employer's Data Form and supporting papers at your servicing branch, receive your Employer ID, then enroll in the eSRS remittance system after your first remittance.

A sole proprietor can't report themselves as an employee of their own business. Owners usually cover themselves as self-employed or voluntary members. For payroll after registration, see our guide on setting up payroll for the first time.

Step 9: Register your establishment with DOLE

• What to do: Register each establishment under Rule 1020 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards through DOLE's online establishment reporting system or your DOLE regional office.
• When: Commentaries commonly say within 30 days of starting operations. Confirm the current timing with your regional office.
• Fee: Generally free

Estimated costs and budget

Sole proprietorship

One Person Corporation or regular corporation

Budget to prepare. Government fees for a small Filipino-owned business are modest. They usually stay under ₱10,000 for a sole proprietorship and under ₱30,000 for a small corporation, and the mayor's permit is the biggest variable. Keep government fees separate from optional and private costs. Optional and private costs include notarization, lease deposits (commonly two to three months' rent plus advance rent), a registered office address if you work from home, accounting or registration service fees, and your actual capital. Capital is your money to use in the business, not a fee. Under RA 11232, most domestic corporations have no minimum, although some industries set their own minimums by law.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating DTI registration as a license to operate. It isn't one. You still need the barangay clearance, mayor's permit and BIR registration.
• Signing a lease before checking zoning. If the zoning office rejects your address, your permit stalls. Check zoning before you pay deposits.
• Starting sales before BIR registration. The BIR expects you to register on or before you start business. Late registration means penalties.
• Paying the old ₱500 annual registration fee. The EOPT Act ended it from January 22, 2024. Some older guides still mention it.
• Forgetting the January renewals. Mayor's permits renew every January, and DTI names renew every five years.
• Hiring before registering as an employer. SSS coverage starts on your first day of operation, and employees must be reported within 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a business in the Philippines?

A small sole proprietorship usually spends about ₱4,000–₱22,000 in total, including invoices, books and notarization. Government fees alone are often under ₱10,000. A small OPC or corporation usually spends about ₱11,000–₱40,000 before capital and professional fees. The mayor's permit is the biggest variable because each LGU sets its own fees.

How long does business registration take in the Philippines?

With complete documents, a sole proprietorship can usually finish in about 3–5 weeks, and an OPC or corporation in about 4–7 weeks. The DTI and BIR online steps are quick. The barangay, the mayor's permit and SEC review take the most time.

Do I need to register with the DTI if I form an OPC or corporation?

No. Corporations, OPCs and partnerships register with the SEC, which issues their certificate and approves their corporate name. DTI business name registration is for sole proprietorships.

Is there still a ₱500 BIR annual registration fee?

No. The BIR stopped collecting the ₱500 annual registration fee on January 22, 2024 under the EOPT Act (RA 11976). New registrants now pay only ₱30 loose DST when they register.

What is the minimum capital for an OPC in the Philippines?

The Revised Corporation Code doesn't require a minimum authorized capital stock for an OPC, unless a special law sets one for your industry. You still need enough paid-up capital to run the business and to support your SEC filing.

Can I register my business online?

Mostly, yes. DTI registration runs on BNRS, SEC registration on eSPARC and BIR registration on ORUS. SSS employer registration is available on My.SSS and the Central Business Portal. Many LGUs, including Quezon City, accept business permit applications online. Some steps, such as barangay clearance, inspections and Pag-IBIG employer registration, may still need an office visit.

When do I need to register with SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and DOLE?

Register as an employer when you start hiring. SSS coverage begins on your first day of operation, and new employees must be reported within 30 days. If you work alone with no staff, you only need to cover yourself as a self-employed or voluntary member.

How Upcloud can help

We handle business registration end to end for Filipino-owned businesses: DTI or SEC, barangay, mayor's permit, BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and DOLE. After that, we keep your books, invoicing and tax filings compliant. See our business processing and tax compliance services, our other services, or contact us for a quote based on your structure and city.

References

1. Department of Trade and Industry. Business Name Registration System: Frequently Asked Questions. https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph/faq
2. Bureau of Internal Revenue. BIR Citizen's Charter (2026 Edition). 2026. https://bir-cdn.bir.gov.ph/BIR/pdf/BIR%20Citizen%27s%20Charter%20%282026%20Edition%29%20final.pdf
3. Bureau of Internal Revenue. Online Registration and Update System (ORUS). https://orus.bir.gov.ph/home
4. Bureau of Internal Revenue. Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 98-2026: Policies and Guidelines on the Issuance of Electronic Invoice. September 22, 2026. https://bir-cdn.bir.gov.ph/BIR/pdf/RMC%20No.%2098-2026%20redacted.pdf
5. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration Calculator. https://www.sec.gov.ph/?p=108
6. Securities and Exchange Commission. eAMEND Filing Fees. https://eamend.sec.gov.ph/site/fees
7. Quezon City Government, Business Permits and Licensing Department. Issuance of New Business Permit (Citizen's Charter). 2025. https://quezoncity.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ISSUANCE-OF-NEW-BUSINESS-PERMIT.pdf
8. Social Security System. Employer (ER). https://www.sss.gov.ph/employer-er/
9. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Employer Registration. https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/partners/employers/registration.php
10. Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 11232, Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines. February 20, 2019. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11232_2019.html
11. Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 11976, Ease of Paying Taxes Act. January 5, 2024. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2024/ra_11976_2024.html
12. Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 7160, Local Government Code of 1991. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1991/ra_7160_1991.html
13. Congress of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 10963, Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN). December 19, 2017. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2017/ra_10963_2017.html
14. Grant Thornton Philippines. Payment of Annual Registration Fee No Longer Required Effective January 22, 2024 (BIR Advisory, January 8, 2024). https://www.grantthornton.com.ph/alerts-and-publications/technical-alerts/tax-alert/2024/payment-of-annual-registration-fee-no-longer-required-effective-january-22-2024/
15. Forvis Mazars Philippines. Understanding the SEC eSPARC. December 28, 2023. https://www.forvismazars.com/ph/en/insights/our-publications/doing-business-in-the-philippines-updates/sec-esparc-online-business-registration
16. Triple i Consulting. How to Register a Business With DOLE. November 29, 2024. https://www.tripleiconsulting.com/how-register-business-with-dole/
17. FilePino. Pag-IBIG Employer Registration: Requirements and Process for First-Time Employers. Updated August 14, 2026. https://www.filepino.com/pag-ibig-employer-registration-philippines/