Search and reserve a business or company name (BRS)
Business Registration Service · sources read 30 Sep 2026
There is no separate name search any more. You give BRS 3 to 5 names, in order of preference, inside your registration application on eCitizen, and BRS reserves one that is unique.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Online on the BRS portal on eCitizen, as part of your registration
What you need
- 3 to 5 name choices, in order of preference
- An eCitizen account (Kenyan citizens sign up with their ID number)
Steps
- Log in to BRS on eCitizen (brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke), open Companies Registry Services and click Make Application.
- Choose the registration you need, for example Registration of a Business Name or a private limited company, and click apply.
- Type 3 to 5 names you like, best first. BRS reviews them in that order and approves one.
- If BRS asks for changes, open View comments, make the corrections and submit again for review.
Watch out
- You can't reserve a name on its own and register later. The name check now happens inside the registration itself.
- A company can't take a name that is already on the register, so have backup names ready.
- A private limited company's name must end with "Limited" or "Ltd".
Who can apply
- Anyone registering a new business name or company on BRS. Your name choices go in with the registration application.
- Limited partnerships work the same way: 3 to 5 proposed names at registration.
Official sources (6)
- Business Registration Service (home page) brs.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- FAQs brs.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registration of Limited Partnerships brs.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- BRS Enhanced System User Manual (brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke) brs.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Companies Act, No. 17 of 2015 (Rev. 2021) brs.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- BRS Version 2 on eCitizen brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026