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Online, physical or both?
Use the official online route
Open CAC's official Company Registration Portal and run the preliminary name-availability search so you do not prepare documents for a name that cannot be registered. Then reserve the selected company name where the portal requires reservation, then start the company-registration application under the correct company type.
A physical/assisted step may still apply
The current sources for CAC company registration do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
Find official offices/centres →If this specific process gets stuck
Use CAC's Company Registration Portal support/contact route with the entity name, application details and payment reference.
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 company 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: Open CAC's official Company Registration Portal and run the preliminary name-availability search so you do not prepare documents for a name that cannot be registered.
- 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.
Company and officer 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: Open CAC's official Company Registration Portal and run the preliminary name-availability search so you do not prepare documents for a name that cannot be registered.
- 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.
The incorporation attachments shown by CAC CRP after the company type is selected; CAC does not use one identical attachment list for every company structure
- 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: Reserve the selected company name where the portal requires reservation, then start the company-registration application under the correct company type.
- 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.
Open CAC's official Company Registration Portal and run the preliminary name-availability search so you do not prepare documents for a name that cannot be registered.
- Proposed company name
- Company and officer details
- The incorporation attachments shown by CAC CRP after the company type is selected; CAC does not use one identical attachment list for every company structure
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.
Reserve the selected company name where the portal requires reservation, then start the company-registration application under the correct company type.
- The incorporation attachments shown by CAC CRP after the company type is selected; CAC does not use one identical attachment list for every company structure
- Proposed company name
- Company and officer details
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.
Complete the digital pre-registration form with the company details and upload the supporting documents requested by CAC for the chosen company type.
- Company and officer details
- The incorporation attachments shown by CAC CRP after the company type is selected; CAC does not use one identical attachment list for every company structure
- Proposed company name
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.
Review the application carefully and pay the filing fee and statutory stamp duty through CAC's integrated payment gateway; keep the transaction evidence in case CAC raises a query.
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.
Monitor the CRP dashboard for approval or a query. Correct and resubmit anything CAC queries; after approval, download the electronic Certificate and Certified Extract from the portal.
No additional document is specifically tied to this step in the verified guide. Use the full checklist above and follow the official prompt.
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.
What exactly happens next?
Keep the application/entity reference, payment evidence and every document generated in the CAC portal.
Monitor the CRP dashboard for approval or a query. Correct and resubmit anything CAC queries; after approval, download the electronic Certificate and Certified Extract from the portal.
CAC publishes a 24-working-hour service timeline for company registration once complete documents are submitted and any query is resolved.
Use CAC's Company Registration Portal support/contact route with the entity name, application details and payment reference.
Important notes
- CAC publishes a 24-working-hour service timeline for company registration once relevant documents are complete and any query is resolved.
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 company name — Other requirement
- Company and officer details — Other requirement
- The incorporation attachments shown by CAC CRP after the company type is selected; CAC does not use one identical attachment list for every company structure — Eligibility / prerequisite
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?
Mostly online. Open CAC's official Company Registration Portal and run the preliminary name-availability search so you do not prepare documents for a name that cannot be registered. Then reserve the selected company name where the portal requires reservation, then start the company-registration application under the correct company type.
The current sources for CAC company registration do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
How much does this service cost?
Depends on company/share structure.
Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.
How long should it take?
CAC publishes a 24-working-hour service timeline for company registration once complete documents are submitted and any query is resolved.
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?
Keep the evidence for CAC company registration: Keep the application/entity reference, payment evidence and every document generated in the CAC portal.
Complete the final published step: Monitor the CRP dashboard for approval or a query. Correct and resubmit anything CAC queries; after approval, download the electronic Certificate and Certified Extract from the portal.
What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?
Use CAC's Company Registration Portal support/contact route with the entity name, application details and payment reference.
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 publishes a 24-working-hour service timeline for company registration once relevant documents are complete and any query is resolved.
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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