Business Name Search & Reservation process on ECitizen

Business Name Search & Reservation on eCitizen is the first legal step to registering a business in Kenya, and it can now be done entirely online through the Business Registration Service (BRS) portal. This process lets you check if your preferred business name is available and then reserve it for 30 days while you prepare for full registration.

Why business name search matters

Before you even start trade, Kenyan law requires that every business or company name be unique and not likely to be mistaken for an existing one. A valid name search protects your brand, reduces the risk of objections, and speeds up the overall registration at the Companies Registry.

The eCitizen platform has made this easier by moving the search, reservation, and payment steps into a single portal, so you do not need to queue at the CBD.

Prerequisites before you start

To use the Business Name Search & Reservation service on eCitizen you need:

• A valid Kenyan ID number (for individuals) or a foreign passport (for non‑residents).

• A mobile phone number linked to an active M‑Pesa line for payment.

• A working email address to create and verify your eCitizen account.

You also need to have at least 2–3 alternative business names ready, in case your first choice is already taken.

Step 1: Log in or create an eCitizen account

1. Open your browser and go to https://accounts.ecitizen.go.ke.

2. Click “Sign Up/Register” if you do not have an account, or “Login” if you already have one.

3. Enter your ID number, phone number, and email, then follow the prompts to verify via SMS and email.

Once verified, you will land on your eCitizen dashboard where you can access all government services, including the Business Registration Service (BRS).

Step 2: Access the Business Name Search & Reservation service

1. On your eCitizen dashboard, scroll or search for “Business Registration Service (BRS)” and click it.

2. Alternatively, you can go directly to the BRS portal at https://brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke and log in with your eCitizen credentials.

3. In the BRS dashboard, look for “Name Search and Reservation” or “Name Search – Company/Business” and click “Make Application” or “Apply Now”.

This section is where you will check name availability and reserve your chosen business name.

Step 3: Enter your proposed business name(s)

1. Choose the entity type: business name (for sole proprietorships/partnerships) or company (for limited companies).

2. Enter your preferred business name in the search field and click “Search”. The system will instantly show whether the name is available or already taken.

3. If the first name is taken, try the alternates you prepared. You may need to submit a minimum of 3 and up to 5 proposed names, depending on whether you are applying for a business name or company.

4. Add a short description of the business activities so the Registrar can understand the nature of your proposed business.

If the system returns “available”, you can proceed to reserve the name.

Step 4: Pay the name search and reservation fee

1. After confirming the name, the portal will generate an invoice. The standard name‑search fee is usually around Ksh 150, plus a small service or convenience fee depending on the route used.

2. Choose M‑Pesa as your payment method and enter your phone number. Confirm the payment on your phone and wait for the confirmation message.

3. Once the portal shows “Payment confirmed”, your name‑search application is submitted and queued for processing.

The result is typically processed within 1–2 working days, after which you will receive feedback on whether your name is approved and available for reservation.

Step 5: Download and use the name search letter

1. Log back into your eCitizen account and revisit the Business Registration Service (BRS) dashboard.

2. Under “My Applications” or “Processed Applications”, locate your name‑search request and click to view or download the name search letter.

3. The letter will state whether your proposed name is available and, if so, confirm that it has been reserved for 30 days from the approval date.

You must complete the full business‑name or company‑registration process within this 30‑day window, or you may need to repeat the name search.

Tips for choosing a strong business name

• Keep it simple, memorable, and easy to spell and pronounce.

• Avoid generic or overly similar names to existing brands to reduce objections.

• Check that the corresponding domain name and social‑media handles are available so you can build a consistent online presence.

What to do after name reservation

Once your business name is successfully reserved:

• Return to the Business Registration Service and start the “Registration of a Business Name” application (using the approved name).

• Upload required documents such as scanned ID, passport photo, and PIN certificate, then pay the registration fee.

• After approval, download your Certificate of Registration and register for KRA, NSSF, and NHIF as applicable.

By following these steps on eCitizen, you turn what used to be a long, in‑person queue into a fast, digital workflow that gets your business name locked in and ready for full registration.