Register a corporation with the SEC

Who registers with the SEC instead of DTI

DTI registers business names for sole proprietors. Words like "company", "corporation" and "incorporated" are reserved for partnerships and corporations registered with the SEC. If two or more of you are putting in puhunan together, or you want the business to be a corporation, your registration starts at the SEC.^[6]

A corporation may be organized by up to 15 incorporators. A corporation with a single stockholder is a One Person Corporation. Partners who do not incorporate file a partnership instead.^[4]

How much does SEC registration cost?

The SEC's registration calculator sets the filing fee for a stock corporation at 1/5 of 1% of the authorized capital stock, or of the subscription price if higher, and not less than ₱2,000. A legal research fee of 1% of the filing fee is added; the calculator gives its minimum as ₱10, while the SEC's OPC guide gives ₱20. Name reservation is ₱100 per name. The calculator also says a stock and transfer book costs approximately ₱470.^[2,3]

Steps on eSPARC

These steps follow the SEC's user guide for OneSEC processing on eSPARC. OneSEC covers domestic stock corporations, including OPCs and corporations with 2 to 15 incorporators, and promises "one day approval of the registration application".^[1]

OneSEC is a subsystem of eSPARC. Manila Bulletin reported in August 2025 that corporate registrations rose after the SEC widened one-day processing.^[5]

1. Verify the nameChoose the processing office, enter your contact details, the company type and the proposed name, and confirm with the one-time passcode sent to your email.
2. Enter company detailsPrincipal office address and contact information.
3. Enter the capital structureAuthorized capital stock, subscriptions and payments.
4. List the peopleIncorporators, directors or subscribers, and what each subscribes.
5. Review the formseSPARC generates the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. Accept the terms and enter the verification code.
6. Pay onlinePay through eSPAYSEC by debit or credit card or PayMaya using the Payment Assessment Form, and print the electronic official receipt.
7. Download the certificateDownload the digital Certificate of Incorporation.

Worked example: the filing fee

Example only, using round numbers. Authorized capital stock of ₱1,000,000: 1/5 of 1% is ₱2,000, which equals the minimum, so the filing fee is ₱2,000 and the legal research fee is ₱20. Authorized capital stock of ₱5,000,000: the filing fee is ₱10,000 and the legal research fee is ₱100. Add ₱100 for name reservation in both cases. Other filings may carry their own fees; the SEC calculator does not list a separate by-laws fee.^[2,3]

After the SEC certificate

The Certificate of Incorporation does not let you open yet. A corporation still gets a barangay clearance, a mayor's permit and BIR registration, like any business. Use the permit path tool to see your order of steps, and see BIR registration.

Questions people ask

Is there a minimum capital to register a corporation?

Not under RA 11232, unless a special law requires one for your industry. The filing fee still has a ₱2,000 minimum.

How long does SEC registration take?

The SEC's OneSEC guide aims for one-day approval of registration applications for domestic stock corporations filed through eSPARC. Partnerships and non-stock corporations are not covered by that guide.

Do I also need DTI registration?

No. DTI's business name system is for sole proprietors; SEC-registered partnerships and corporations use the SEC's name process.

How many incorporators can a corporation have?

Up to 15. With only one stockholder, it is a One Person Corporation.