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Online, physical or both?
Do the business-name process end-to-end on CAC's CRP
Check name availability, reserve the name when required, complete the online pre-registration form, upload the requested registration documents and pay the filing fee through the Company Registration Portal.
There is no certificate-pickup visit in the standard digital route
CAC states that business-name registration is end-to-end on the CRP. After approval, the electronic Certificate of Registration and Certified Extract are generated for download rather than physical pickup.
Find official offices/centres →Use CAC support if the CRP application stalls
If name reservation, payment, upload or approval status is stuck, use CAC's official portal support/contact route. CAC also states that individual proprietors can register a business name without a lawyer, chartered accountant or chartered secretary.
View agency guidance →Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.
Documents, details and prerequisites you need
This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.
Proposed business name
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 1: Use CAC's CRP to check whether the proposed business name is available and complete name reservation when the portal requires it.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Proprietor's full legal name, residential/contact address, phone/email and identity information requested in the CAC CRP
- Why you need it
- Used for account access and/or official communication. Use an address you can open throughout the process.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 2: Open the business-name pre-registration form in the CRP and enter the proprietor and business particulars.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Business nature/activity details
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 1: Use CAC's CRP to check whether the proposed business name is available and complete name reservation when the portal requires it.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Registration documents displayed by the CRP for the selected business-name application
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 2: Open the business-name pre-registration form in the CRP and enter the proprietor and business particulars.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.
Use CAC's CRP to check whether the proposed business name is available and complete name reservation when the portal requires it.
- Proposed business name
- Registration documents displayed by the CRP for the selected business-name application
- Proprietor's full legal name, residential/contact address, phone/email and identity information requested in the CAC CRP
Make sure the displayed record is the correct person/entity and that the information matches the evidence you are using.
Keep the entity/application reference shown in CAC's portal.
Open the business-name pre-registration form in the CRP and enter the proprietor and business particulars.
- Registration documents displayed by the CRP for the selected business-name application
- Proposed business name
- Proprietor's full legal name, residential/contact address, phone/email and identity information requested in the CAC CRP
Use the official route linked on this guide and make sure you are working in the correct applicant/entity account before entering data.
Keep the entity/application reference shown in CAC's portal.
Upload the supporting registration documents requested in that CRP application.
- Registration documents displayed by the CRP for the selected business-name application
- Proprietor's full legal name, residential/contact address, phone/email and identity information requested in the CAC CRP
Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.
Keep the application/reference number, acknowledgement or confirmation generated after submission.
Pay the filing fee through the integrated CAC payment route and submit the application for approval.
No additional document is specifically tied to this step in the verified guide. Use the full checklist above and follow the official prompt.
Confirm the service, applicant/entity details and amount on the official payment screen before paying. Do not continue from an unsolicited payment link.
Keep the official receipt, payment reference or transaction ID.
After CAC approves the filing, download the electronic Certificate of Registration and Certified Extract from the CRP dashboard.
- Registration documents displayed by the CRP for the selected business-name application
Check that every file belongs to the correct applicant/record, is readable and matches the portal prompt before upload.
Keep the final document/result plus any receipt or reference used to obtain it.
What exactly happens next?
The application is not complete merely because the filing fee was paid. Watch the entity/application status in the Company Registration Portal.
On approval, CAC says the Certificate of Registration and Certified Extract of registration information are generated electronically on the portal.
Verify the business name, proprietor information and other registration particulars shown in the electronic documents before using them for banking, tax or contracting.
For a query, resubmission or portal problem, use CAC's official support/contact route and keep the application/entity details available.
Important notes
- CAC states proprietors can register business names without a lawyer, chartered accountant or chartered secretary.
Common questions
These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.
What should I prepare before I start?
Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.
- Proposed business name — Other requirement
- Proprietor's full legal name, residential/contact address, phone/email and identity information requested in the CAC CRP — Document
- Business nature/activity details — Other requirement
- Registration documents displayed by the CRP for the selected business-name application — Eligibility / prerequisite
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?
Mostly online. Check name availability, reserve the name when required, complete the online pre-registration form, upload the requested registration documents and pay the filing fee through the Company Registration Portal.
CAC states that business-name registration is end-to-end on the CRP. After approval, the electronic Certificate of Registration and Certified Extract are generated for download rather than physical pickup.
How much does this service cost?
See current CAC fee schedule.
Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.
How long should it take?
The responsible agency does not currently publish a reliable fixed completion timeline in the official sources used for this guide.
Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.
What happens after I submit or complete the main step?
Monitor the CRP dashboard for approval: The application is not complete merely because the filing fee was paid. Watch the entity/application status in the Company Registration Portal.
Download both electronic registration documents: On approval, CAC says the Certificate of Registration and Certified Extract of registration information are generated electronically on the portal.
What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?
If name reservation, payment, upload or approval status is stuck, use CAC's official portal support/contact route. CAC also states that individual proprietors can register a business name without a lawyer, chartered accountant or chartered secretary.
Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.
What should I be careful about?
- CAC states proprietors can register business names without a lawyer, chartered accountant or chartered secretary.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?
This guide was last checked on 2026-09-28. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.
Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.
Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?
No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.
Official sources
These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.
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