How to Register a Business Name With CAC in Nigeria: Step-by-Step
Illustration: A Nigerian business owner preparing registration paperwork.
To register a business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria, create an account on the Commission’s online portal, check that the proposed name is available, complete the business-name registration form, upload the requested documents and pay the filing fee. CAC issues an electronic certificate and a certified extract through its registration portal after approval.
A business name suits a sole proprietor or partnership adopting a trading name. A private company gives its owners a separate legal entity under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, so choose the structure that fits the ownership, investment and compliance needs of the business.
Key facts about CAC business-name registration
- Agency: Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigeria.
- Application route: CAC’s online iCRP registration portal.
- First step: check the proposed business name with CAC’s availability search.
- Documents: complete the pre-registration form and upload the supporting documents requested by CAC.
- Certificate: CAC provides an electronic certificate and a certified extract after registration.
What does registering a business name with CAC mean?
A registered business name records the name under which a proprietor or partners carry on business. CAC places business-name registration within its services under CAMA, while a registered company has its own legal identity. A plain-language comparison published by Nigerian law firm CM Advocates on Legal 500 explains how the two structures differ in ownership, responsibility and ongoing administration. The Act itself is available in the official CAMA Gazette.
A business name can suit an independent trader, freelancer, shop owner or partnership that wants a recognised trading name. A company can suit founders who plan to bring in shareholders, separate the business entity from its owners, or build a structure for outside investment. The best fit depends on the business plan and legal responsibilities.
Legal 500’s comparison describes a business name as the adopted name of its owner or partners, while a private limited company has a distinct legal identity. Consider that distinction alongside the scale of the business, the people who will own it and the obligations attached to each structure.
How to register a business name with CAC in Nigeria
CAC sets out a short online process for business names. Use the Commission’s own registration steps and begin at the iCRP portal.
- Create an iCRP account. The portal requires an account before a user can register or manage a business name or company. Use the registration option on the official portal and enter accurate account information.
- Check the proposed name. Search the CAC name-availability tool before completing the application. Prepare a suitable alternative in case the first choice is already in use or too close to an existing registered name.
- Complete the business-name form. CAC directs applicants to complete the online pre-registration form for business names and upload the relevant supporting documents. Follow the prompts in the portal and review each spelling and detail before submission.
- Pay the filing fee through the portal. CAC links a service-fee schedule from its business-name registration page. Check the current entry for the service you selected, then follow the payment instructions shown in iCRP.
- Save the registration documents. After CAC approves the filing, download and store the electronic Certificate of Registration and the certified extract issued through the portal. Keep copies with the business’s core records.
Individuals and proprietors can register business names themselves. CAC says an applicant may complete the process without hiring a legal practitioner, chartered accountant or chartered secretary. A professional can still help where the ownership arrangement, regulated activity or structure calls for specialist advice.
What information should you prepare?
Start with the proposed business name and the details needed to complete the portal’s application. CAC asks applicants to submit the pre-registration form and relevant documents online; the portal displays the requirements for the chosen filing. Check every name, address and ownership detail against the supporting records before submitting them.
Use the official iCRP address and follow CAC’s instructions for the specific service. Save the application reference and payment confirmation so you can return to the filing and track its status. CAC’s service page also links to contact channels for application support.
How much does CAC business-name registration cost?
The CAC fee schedule lists charges by service. The amount depends on the filing selected, so check the current schedule linked from CAC’s service page before paying. The fee shown in the official portal at the time of application gives the amount to use.
What happens after CAC approves the application?
Download the electronic certificate and certified extract from the registration portal, then check that the registered name and proprietor or partner details match the approved application. Store the documents securely and use the registered name consistently on business records.
After registration, review the tax-identification steps that apply to your business and its owners.
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For payment questions about filings on iCRP, CrispNG has explained the Commission’s direct-payment option and the services it covers.
CAC business-name registration: frequently asked questions
Can I register a business name with CAC myself?
Yes. CAC says individuals and proprietors can register a business name without hiring a legal practitioner, chartered accountant or chartered secretary. The application runs through CAC’s online registration portal.
How much does it cost to register a business name with CAC?
The current filing charge appears in CAC’s fee schedule for the selected service. Check the schedule linked from the Commission’s business-name page and confirm the amount in iCRP before payment.
What documents do I need to register a business name?
CAC requires the online pre-registration form and relevant supporting documents for the application. The iCRP portal shows the documents required for the service you choose.
What is the difference between a business name and a private company?
A business name identifies the trading name of its proprietor or partners, while a private company has its own legal identity under CAMA 2020. Ownership, responsibility and filing obligations differ, so compare the structures against the business’s plans before registering.
Last reviewed: 2 November 2026