Starting a corporation in the Philippines? The first step is SEC business registration. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the government agency responsible for registering corporations, partnerships, and one-person corporations (OPC).
This guide walks you through the entire SEC business registration process in the Philippines, including requirements, fees, and step-by-step filing instructions to help you start your corporation legally.
📌 Not a corporation? If you’re a sole proprietor, you’ll need DTI Business Registration instead. Read our DTI Business Registration Guide.
📍 Step 1: Reserve Your Business Name with SEC
Before proceeding with your SEC business registration in the Philippines, you must check and reserve your company name.
📢 How to Reserve a Business Name with SEC:
1️⃣ Go to the SEC Name Reservation Portal: https://esparc.sec.gov.ph/
2️⃣ Enter your preferred company name and check availability.
3️⃣ If the name is available, proceed with the reservation process.
4️⃣ Pay the name reservation fee of ₱120 to secure your business name.
5️⃣ Download the Name Reservation Certificate—you’ll need this for your SEC business registration.
✔ Tip: Your company name should not be identical to existing registered businesses.
📍 Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents for SEC Business Registration
Once you’ve secured your business name reservation, the next step in SEC business registration in the Philippines is preparing the required documents.
📢 List of SEC Business Registration Requirements:
✔ Articles of Incorporation & By-laws (For corporations)
✔ Partnership Agreement (For partnerships)
✔ Treasurer’s Affidavit (Verifying initial capital deposit)
✔ Bank Certificate of Deposit (For corporations with required paid-up capital)
✔ SEC Name Reservation Certificate
✔ Notarized SEC Registration Form (Form F-100)
💡 One-Person Corporations (OPC) will also need a Nominee & Alternate Nominee Designation Form.
📍 Step 3: File Your SEC Business Registration Application
There are two ways to register your business with SEC:
SEC now allows corporations to register online through the SEC eSPARC portal.
📢 How to File Online via SEC eSPARC:
1️⃣ Visit https://esparc.sec.gov.ph/
2️⃣ Choose “New Business Registration”
3️⃣ Fill out the registration form with your business details.
4️⃣ Upload all required documents.
5️⃣ Pay the SEC registration fee via GCash, online banking, or over-the-counter payment.
✔ Processing Time: 7-15 business days
✅ Option 2: Walk-in SEC Registration (For Special Cases)
For certain corporations (e.g., foreign-owned companies), manual submission is required.
📢 Steps for Walk-in SEC Registration in the Philippines:
1️⃣ Visit the SEC Head Office or Regional Office.
2️⃣ Submit printed copies of all required documents.
3️⃣ Pay the SEC registration fee at the designated cashier.
4️⃣ Wait for approval and claim your SEC Certificate of Incorporation.
✔ Processing Time: 15-20 business days
📍 Step 4: Pay the SEC Business Registration Fees
🔹 The total SEC business registration fees depends on your company’s authorized capital stock.
Capital Investment | SEC Registration Fee |
₱10,000 - ₱50,000 | ₱2,000 - ₱4,000 |
₱100,000 - ₱500,000 | ₱5,000 - ₱10,000 |
Above ₱1,000,000 | Varies based on stock subscription |
✔ Additional ₱30 Documentary Stamp Tax applies.
📍 Step 5: Claim Your SEC Certificate of Incorporation
📌 Once approved, you will receive your SEC Certificate of Incorporation, which officially establishes your corporation in the Philippines.
📢 What’s Next?
✔ Get a Mayor’s Business Permit from your Local Government Unit (LGU).
✔ Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for tax compliance.
✔ Open a Corporate Bank Account (Required for business transactions).
📍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Do I need SEC registration for a sole proprietorship?
No, sole proprietorships only require DTI Business Registration.
❓ How long does SEC business registration take?
Online registration via eSPARC takes 7-15 business days, while walk-in applications may take 15-20 business days.
❓ Can I register a corporation alone?
Yes! The One-Person Corporation (OPC) allows a single owner to register a corporation.
📍 Need Assistance with SEC Business Registration?
Registering your business with SEC can be complicated, but our legal experts at Lawyers Online PH are here to help!
Take the first step towards legitimizing your corporation in the Philippines. Learn more about our SEC registration service and get a price quote here.
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