Quick answer
Official BRS fees: registering a business name (for a sole proprietor or partnership) costs KSh 950. A private limited company costs KSh 10,650 on the BRS fee schedule, though the BRS FAQ steps quote KSh 10,750. An LLP costs KSh 25,000 and a company limited by guarantee KSh 10,000.
Updated 17 October 2026
This calculator adds up the official Business Registration Service (BRS) fees to register a business in Kenya. Pick what you are registering and any official searches you need, and it shows each fee and the total. Every figure comes from the official BRS fee schedule for the Companies Registry and the BRS FAQs, both checked on 17 October 2026. It does not include charges from lawyers, agents or other service providers, or any other charge eCitizen may add.
Official BRS Registration Fees
| Registration | Official fee | BRS processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Business name (sole proprietor or partnership) | KSh 950 | 1 day |
| Private limited company | KSh 10,650 | 3 to 5 days |
| Public limited company | KSh 10,650 | 3 to 5 days |
| Company limited by guarantee | KSh 10,000 | 3 days after BRS receives a vetting report from NIS |
| Limited liability partnership (LLP) | KSh 25,000 | 1 day |
| Unlimited company | KSh 20,050 | 3 to 5 days |
Processing times are as stated on the BRS fee schedule and count from a complete application.
The KSh 10,650 or KSh 10,750 Question
The two official BRS sources do not quite agree on the cost of a private limited company. The fee schedule lists KSh 10,650. The step-by-step registration instructions in the BRS FAQs say to “make payment for the service of Kshs. 10,750”. We use the fee schedule figure in the calculator and show this note whenever you select a limited company. The amount on your eCitizen invoice is the one you will actually pay.
Sole Proprietorship, Partnership or Company?
In Kenya a sole proprietor or partnership trading under a business name registers that name with BRS. This is the KSh 950 option. BRS describes a business name as the simplest business form and notes that it is not a legal entity, so the owners are personally responsible for its debts. A private limited company is a separate legal entity. It costs more to register and comes with ongoing duties such as keeping company records up to date.
When choosing, think about risk as well as cost. If your business will sign large contracts, borrow money or take on investors, the protection of a company may be worth the higher fee. For a small, low-risk business, a business name is quicker and cheaper. Our step-by-step guides cover both: registering a business name and registering a limited company.
Other BRS Fees You May Meet
- Official search, business name (CR13): KSh 250
- Official search, company (CR12): KSh 650
- Change of business name: KSh 800, subject to penalties. Change of company name: KSh 4,000
- Change of directors’ particulars: KSh 550
- Change of particulars of a business name: KSh 200 with the original certificate, or KSh 400 with a copy, subject to penalties where applicable
For a limited company, the BRS schedule also requires a statement of nominal capital, and it notes that fees on increasing nominal capital vary. Those amounts are not shown on the schedule, so the calculator does not estimate them.
Budgeting Beyond Registration
Registration is only the first cost. Most businesses also need a county single business permit, whose fee depends on your county and business type, plus a KRA PIN, which is free. Then budget for getting customers. Ananke Digital’s free marketing budget calculator helps you plan that spend. Still choosing a name? Try our business name generator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a business name in Kenya?
KSh 950, according to the BRS fee schedule and FAQs checked on 17 October 2026.
How much does it cost to register a limited company in Kenya?
The BRS fee schedule lists KSh 10,650 for a private limited company. The BRS FAQ steps quote KSh 10,750. Check your eCitizen invoice for the final amount.
Is there a separate fee to reserve a name?
The current BRS fee schedule lists no separate name reservation fee. You propose three to five names inside the registration application.
Related Guides
- How to register a business name in Kenya
- How to register a limited company with BRS
- How to create an eCitizen account
- How to get a KRA PIN
- How to apply for a single business permit
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
