1. Check for availability of the Business Name – (click here).
2. Reservation code in required for registration via the portal.
3. Pay filing fee – check fees here.
4. Business names should be registered within 28 days of commencement of business otherwise daily penalty of N150 (one hundred and fifty naira) will accrue against the individual or corporation (in the case of sole proprietorship) or each partner (in the case of a partnership).
5. Reservation code is required for use of restricted words in name.
6. Application for reservation code shall be accompanied by registration particulars of the proposed business name.
7. Names of all Partners must be clearly and fully stated (no initials).
8. A person under the age of 18 years (minor) can join in carrying on a business name provided there are at least two (2) adults.
9. Where a minor is a Partner, the application must exhibit an attestation by any of the following persons:
   • A Magistrate,
   • A Police officer not less than the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), or
   • A Legal Practitioner.
10. Passport-sized photograph shall be uploaded for each individuals Partner.
11. Copy of recognised and valid means of photo identification (i.e. National Identification Card, Data Page of International Passport, Driver’s Licence or Voter’s Card) is required for each individual Partner in a business name.
12. Registration application and accompanying documents must comply strictly with the provisions of the Act and the Commission’s requirements for registration of business name.
13. Information on accompanying documents must be same with data entered on Company Registration Portal (CRP).
14. All documents accompanying the application must be in English language. Where documents are in other language, the documents shall be translated into English language and confirmed by a Notary Public licenced as such in Nigeria or any other part of the world.
15. Where a business name suggests professional objects, the first nature of business must reflect the profession.
16. Nature of business must comply with the requirements of other laws of the Federation with respect to the businesses.

Note: Individual/Proprietors can register business names in Nigeria without the services of the Legal Practitioner, Chartered Accountant or Chartered Secretary.