How to Register Your Business With CAC Online ( Ultimate Guide)

Are you an entrepreneur looking to start a business in Nigeria and wondering how to register your business with CAC?

Registering your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is a crucial step toward making your business legal and protecting your brand in Nigeria.

Until 1990, registering a business in Nigeria used to be a tiresome event until the introduction of the CAC, Corporate Affairs Commission.

In 2015, CAC got better when it teamed up with Nitel to make it possible for business owners to register their businesses online.

Now in 2023, with the introduction of the cashless policy and many businesses setting up shop online, registering your business online is even more efficient, smooth, and hassle-free.

This article will show how you can register a business with CAC online without wasting money and time doing the wrong things.

Did I say money?

Yes, registering your business with CAC online will cost you some money. Follow this link for you to see the price of everything CAC does.

In this article, I will show you how much, how to come up with a good business name, and a step-by-step guide on how you can avoid embarrassment by registering your business name.

9 Essential Steps to Registering Your Business With CAC Online

1. Choosing a Business Name

Before registering with CAC, it’s important that you choose a unique and suitable name for your business. If you haven’t thought of a name already, it’s important that you make out time to do so.

Whatever name you choose should reflect your brand identity. The best names are the ones that are easy to remember, and fresh out of the oven.

A simple way to come up with a name for your business is to imitate the big players already in business.

Think of Google, Apple, Samsung, LG, Genesis, Crunchies, Mcdonald, or Roban.

When thinking of a name for your business, it’s helpful that you make it generic, not something that ties to a particular thing.

Say, if you are running a fast food business, don’t say that because you have a fast food business your business name is going to be HelenFastFood or AdamProvision.

While this is good, it will box you into one corner and hinder an expansion.

Also Read: Top 20 Online Businesses that Pay Daily in Nigeria

2. Create an Account on the CAC Official Website

After coming up with a good business name the next step is to open an account on the CAC official website.

To do so, go to the CAC website here. When you get to the page you will be given two options:

PUBLIC SEARCH
ONLINE REGISTRATION

Click on the online registration option for you to register your business.

When you click on the ONLINE REGISTRATION button, you will be taken to another page.

Scroll down to the footer of this page and you will see a green bar that looks like this

How to Register Your Business With CAC Online

Click on create account, and you will be taken to a page where you will be asked to input either your NIN or your phone number.

TIP: Sometimes, the NIN option misbehaves. Be patient when it does so or go with the phone number route.

When you submit your number you will be taken to another page where you will be asked to fill out a form. This form is called the CAC ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM.

Some name identification documents you may be asked to submit are

Age Declaration
Birth Certificate
Drivers License
International Passport
NIN
Permanent Voters Card.

After registering your account, the next thing is to log in.

3. How to Check if Your Business Name Is Taken in Nigeria

Before creating your account, I like to think you already have a business name.

With a good business name in hand, the next step is to check the availability of this name.

It’s important that you avoid using an existing business name as this can be problematic in the future.

To check the availability of your business name, visit the official CAC website on your phone or laptop.

https://pre.cac.gov.ng/

Using a computer is better.

When you get to the page, click on the SEARCH NOW button. You will be taken to a page where you will test the availability of your chosen business name.

Paste the name of your business in the Search Bar and click on the search.

You will get information telling you if your name is available or not.

Once it is available the next step is to

4. Reserve Company Name

If the name you want to go with is available, then it is time to reserve this name. This is a fancy way of saying, getting your name ready for registration.

You will be required to pay a one-time fee of N500 when you get to this point.

If you have already opened an account, good. But if not, you will be asked to open an account with CAC.

Expect a reply on the status of your CAC Name Reservation Application within 24 hours. If the business reservation is successful you will get an approval note with the name availability code.

This name availability code is what you will use in the next step.

Also Read: How to Write a Business Plan in Nigeria

5. The Official Registration

This is where the official registration of your business takes place. With the name availability code in hand, all you have to do is to click on this link on this page and paste it.

Once the code is verified. Proceed to the registration form CAC, and fill in the required details.

The details about your company will be required at this stage. The official documents, your business email address, and your physical address too.

Information about the company directors will also be required, this is where you will have to input them all.

After filling up the form and submitting the necessary documents, pay up the stipulated fee depending on the type of business that you go for.

Business name registration is N10,000

If you are confused about any of the steps, use this comprehensive PDF GUIDE to find your way.

6. Types of Business Structures and CAC Fees for Company Business Registration in Nigeria

TYPE OF COMPANY	PEOPLE INVOLVED	PRICE
Business Name	One or more	N500
Limited Liability Partnership(LLP)	2+	N500
Limited Partnership (LP)	One general partner, and another limited one.	N500
Incorporated Trustees	Organization	N5000

7. Required Documents and Information

To register your business with the CAC, you will need to gather certain documents and information, including:

1. Completed CAC registration form ( you will get this online)

2. Memorandum and Articles of Association (for LLCs and PLCs)

3. Forms of identification for the business owners

4. Proof of address for the business premises

5. Passport photographs of the business owners

6. Statement of compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA)

7. Evidence of payment for the registration fees

8. Birth Certificate, or

9. Drivers license, or NIN or Voters Card.

Ensure that all the required documents are accurate, up to date, and in compliance with the CAC guidelines.

8. Engaging the Services of a Lawyer

While it is possible to handle the registration process independently, engaging the services of a qualified lawyer or a professional firm can simplify and expedite the process.

Lawyers with experience in business registration can help you navigate the legal requirements and address any potential issues or complexities that may arise during the registration process.

9. Verification and Approval

After submitting your application, CAC will review the provided information and documents for accuracy and compliance.

This verification process may take a few days to weeks, depending on the workload and complexity of your registration.

The CAC will notify you of any additional requirements or clarifications needed.

Once the application is approved, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation, confirming the legal establishment of your business.

Check Out: 10 Best Tips for Conducting Market Research in Nigeria

FAQs

How Long Does It Take for the Corporate Affairs Commission (Cac) To Approve Name Reservation?

The time it takes for the CAC to approve a name reservation can be usually 24 to 48 hours.

If the name you want to reserve is approved, CAC will issue an Approval Note indicating the name has been reserved for registration.

To expedite the process, it’s recommended to thoroughly search the CAC website for name availability before submitting the name reservation application. This increases the chances of faster approval.

How to Check if Your Business Name Has Been Registered With CAC

To check if your business name has been registered with the CAC, you can follow these steps:

Visit the official website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Navigate to the “Public Search” or “Name Search” section.
Enter the desired business name in the search field.
Click on the search button to initiate the search.
The system will display the search results, indicating whether the business name is available or already registered.

By conducting this search, you can verify the availability and status of your chosen business name with the CAC.

Why Does Cac Reject Business Names?

CAC may reject a business name for several reasons, including:

Similarity to an existing business name: If the proposed name closely resembles an already registered business name, CAC may reject it to prevent confusion in the market.

Violation of trademarks or copyrights: If the proposed name infringes upon existing trademarks or copyrights, CAC will reject it to protect the rights of intellectual property owners.

Offensive or prohibited terms: Business names that contain offensive, vulgar, or prohibited terms may be rejected by the CAC due to legal and ethical considerations.

Violation of CAC guidelines: If the proposed name fails to meet the guidelines established by the CAC, such as having misleading or deceptive elements, it may be rejected.

How Many Days Does It Take to Register a Business Name?

If the applicant provides all the required information, it takes just 48 to 72 hours to register a business name in Nigeria.

CAC official filing fee for the registration of a business name in Nigeria is N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira Only).

Does CAC Expire?

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) does not expire.

Once your business is registered with the CAC and you receive the Certificate of Incorporation, your business becomes a legally recognized entity.

However, it’s important to note that certain obligations, such as filing annual returns and renewing relevant licenses, must be fulfilled to maintain the active status of your business with the CAC.

Conclusion- How to Register Your Business With CAC

Registering your business with the CAC in Nigeria is a critical step toward establishing a legal and credible entity.

But not only that, it will help you avoid harassment.

By following the steps outlined in this article, such as choosing a suitable name, gathering the necessary documents, engaging legal assistance if needed, and fulfilling post-registration obligations, you can ensure compliance with the CAC’s requirements.

Here’s a list of articles I’ve written that may be able to help you start your business

How to Register Your Business With CAC Online ( Ultimate Guide) – 2023