Business Registration Checklist

Last reviewed: 15 September 2026

Select your intended legal business structure below for an exact step-by-step statutory registration workflow.

Sole Proprietorship

Business Name registration (BN2) for single owners

Private Limited Company

Full company incorporation (Ltd / PLC) with shares

Partnership

General or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

0 / 8 completed

BiasharaGuide Official Kenyan Business Resource • Free & Independent

Verified statutory workflow and document requirements for registering a business in Kenya through eCitizen BRS and relevant state agencies.

Last reviewed: 15 September 2026 • Generated / Printed: — • Source: biasharaguide.co.ke/tools/business-registration-checklist/

Legal Structure Sole Proprietorship

Progress 0 of 8 items (0%)

Completion Status Not Started

1. Name Search & BRS Registration (Sole Proprietorship)

Perform Business Name Search on eCitizen Business Registration Service (BRS) — KES 100
Submit Business Name Registration Form (BN2) online — KES 800 + KES 100 convenience fee
Download and print the official Certificate of Registration (BN3)

2. Post-Registration & Statutory Licences

Link Business Name to proprietor's personal KRA PIN on iTax (Free)
Apply for County Government Single Business Permit (SBP) via county portal or Sub-County office
Sign up for eTIMS (electronic Tax Invoice Management System) for compliance
Open a dedicated business bank account using BN3 certificate and KRA PIN
Register as an employer on NSSF and SHIF portals if hiring staff (Free)

Recommended Next Steps:

Display Certificate of Registration and Single Business Permit at business premises
Maintain accurate daily cash and sales books
File annual individual income tax return declaring business net profit by 30 June

Learn about business registration →

1. Company Incorporation (eCitizen BRS)

Perform Company Name Search and Reservation on eCitizen BRS (KES 100)
Complete CR1 (company registration application) and CR2 (memorandum naming the first shareholders and their shares). The applicable model Articles can apply by default; use your own Articles if needed — KES 10,650.
Provide each director's residential address using CR8 and the other director particulars requested by BRS.
File Beneficial Ownership Information (BOF) on BRS within 30 days of incorporation
Download Certificate of Incorporation and official CR12 extract from BRS portal

2. Tax & Operational Compliance

Register for Company KRA PIN on iTax (Income Tax Company obligation)
Open Corporate Commercial Bank Account (requires Certificate, CR12, IDs & PINs)
Apply for County Single Business Permit and Fire Safety inspection certificate
Integrate eTIMS invoicing and register for PAYE, NSSF, and SHIF for employees

Recommended Next Steps:

Issue share certificates to subscribers and maintain statutory company registers
File annual company returns with BRS on the anniversary of incorporation
Prepare audited financial statements for annual corporate tax filing

Learn about business registration →

1. Partnership Registration (BRS)

Perform Partnership Name Search on eCitizen BRS (KES 100)
Draft and execute a comprehensive written Partnership Agreement / Deed
Submit Statement of Particulars (Form BN2) with all partners' ID/PIN copies — KES 900
Download Certificate of Registration (BN3) from eCitizen BRS

2. Tax Obligations & Local Licences

Register Partnership KRA PIN on iTax (Partnership obligation)
Apply for County Single Business Permit in partnership name
Open Partnership Bank Account with operational mandates signed by all partners
Onboard on eTIMS and register as employer with NSSF and SHIF

Recommended Next Steps:

File annual partnership information return on iTax by 30 June
Distribute partnership profit shares to partners for individual tax reporting

Learn about business registration →

Disclaimer: Statutory fees and procedures are subject to official regulations under the Companies Act 2015 and County Government bylaws. Always verify on eCitizen BRS and relevant county portals.

Business Registration Checklist

1. Name Search & BRS Registration (Sole Proprietorship)

2. Post-Registration & Statutory Licences

Recommended Next Steps:

1. Company Incorporation (eCitizen BRS)

2. Tax & Operational Compliance

Recommended Next Steps:

1. Partnership Registration (BRS)

2. Tax Obligations & Local Licences

Recommended Next Steps:

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