Quick answer
On the current BRS eCitizen system you do not pay for a separate name reservation. You enter three to five preferred names in order of priority inside your registration application, and BRS reviews them and approves one. Registering a business name costs KSh 950, and an official search on an existing business name costs KSh 250.
Updated 17 October 2026
Many guides still tell Kenyans to “search and reserve” a business name on eCitizen as a separate first step, with its own fee. The current Business Registration Service (BRS) process works differently. This guide explains how name checks and approval work today, based on the official BRS FAQs and fee schedule as published on brs.go.ke and checked on 17 October 2026.
How Name Approval Works Now
According to the BRS FAQs, when you register a business name or a private limited company, you key in a minimum of three and a maximum of five preferred names, in order of priority, inside the registration application. BRS reviews them and approves one. In other words, the name check is part of the application itself, not a separate purchase.
The current BRS fee schedule for the Companies Registry does not list a separate name reservation fee. Older articles, including some still online, quote a small reservation fee from the previous system. If you see one, treat it as out of date unless it appears on your eCitizen invoice.
Step by Step: Proposing Your Names on eCitizen
These steps follow the BRS FAQ for registering a business name:
- Log in to the BRS service on eCitizen (the FAQ gives brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke). If you do not have an account yet, follow our guide on how to create an eCitizen account.
- Select Companies Registry Services, then Make Application.
- Choose Registration of a Business Name and click Apply. For a company, choose Private Limited Company instead.
- Enter three to five preferred names in your order of priority. Put the name you want most first.
- Fill in the rest of the details, then download the auto-generated form, sign it, scan it and upload it again.
- Submit and pay. For a business name, the FAQ says you receive a prompt on your phone to pay KSh 950.
Need ideas for your list of names? Our free business name generator suggests English and Swahili names and builds a shortlist of three to five for you to copy.
What an Official Search Is (and Is Not)
The BRS fee schedule lists an official search for business names at KSh 250 (it produces a CR13) and for companies at KSh 650 (it produces a CR12). An official search returns the registered details of a business that already exists, such as its owners or directors. It is useful for checking a supplier, a business partner, or your own records. It is not the way you get a new name approved. That happens when BRS reviews the names in your application.
BRS says the search result is instant for verified businesses and takes 3 to 5 days for non-verified ones.
Tips to Get Your Name Approved First Time
- Make every option distinct. If your five names are small variations of one word and that word is taken, all five may fail. Give BRS genuinely different options.
- Avoid copying well-known brands. Names that look like an existing business are likely to be rejected and can lead to disputes later.
- Check the spelling before you submit. Changing a name after registration has its own process and fee. The BRS schedule lists a change of business name at KSh 800, subject to penalties.
- Match the structure. A limited company name should end in “Limited”. A business name should not suggest it is a company.
What It Costs
| Service (BRS fee schedule) | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Registration of a business name | KSh 950 |
| Private limited company registration | KSh 10,650 (the BRS FAQ steps quote KSh 10,750) |
| Official search, business name (CR13) | KSh 250 |
| Official search, company (CR12) | KSh 650 |
| Change of business name | KSh 800, subject to penalties |
To total these up for your situation, use our business registration cost calculator. If eCitizen rejects your scanned form because the file is too large, our eCitizen document compressor shrinks it in your browser.
After Approval
Once your certificate is issued, you will typically need a KRA PIN for tax and a county single business permit before you trade. Then get your name in front of customers. Ananke Digital’s social media checklist for Kenyan SMEs is a practical place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay to reserve a business name on eCitizen?
Not separately under the current process. The BRS fee schedule checked on 17 October 2026 lists no separate name reservation fee. You propose three to five names inside your registration application, which costs KSh 950 for a business name.
How do I check if a business name is already taken?
BRS checks availability when it reviews the names in your application. An official search (KSh 250 for a business name) shows the details of a business that is already registered, if you know its name or number.
How long does business name registration take?
The BRS fee schedule gives 1 day for registration of a business name once the application is complete.
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
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