CAC Business Name Registration Login Portal (Public Search)

Do you want to know the requirements and list of documents to upload for CAC business and company name registration, pre incorporation, post incorporation, reservation, and official website for free public name search by RC number?

If YES, then this is the only post to read.

CAC business name registration in Nigeria (online or offline) is something that anyone who wants to start a reputable business must do.

There has been an increase in the establishment of small businesses across the country in recent years.

Many small business owners in Nigeria dismiss the need to register their companies, either out of ignorance or simply to avoid the time-consuming process of registering a company or paying taxes.

A business can be registered as a business name, unlimited liability company, limited liability company partnership and incorporated trustees.

To make your business reach a wider audience and for security, it is suggested that you register with the CAC.

The official registration of your company name will protect you from confusion and ensure that everyone knows who owns or uses the particular trademarked name so that they can do business with you without infringing on your rights or trying to sell counterfeit products under those same names.

CAC Portal

The Corporate Affairs Commission was established by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, which was promulgated in 1990 to regulate the formation and management of companies in Nigeria.

The establishment of the Corporate Affairs Commission as an autonomous body was a result of the perceived inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the erstwhile Company Registry, a department within the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Tourism which was then responsible for the registration and administration of the repealed Companies Act of 1968.

The functions of the Commission as set out in section 7 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, includes:

• To administer the Act, including the regulation and supervision of the formation, incorporation, management and winding up of companies.
• To establish and maintain companies registry and offices in all the states of the Federation suitably and adequately equipped to discharge its functions under the Act or any law in respect of which it is charged with responsibility.
• Arrange and investigate the affairs of any company where the interests of the shareholders and the public so demand.
• To undertake such other activities as are necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of the Act.
• The Commission also registers Business Names, and Incorporated Trustees as well as provides a wide range of ancillary services.

CAC Pre Incorporation

1. Public User Account Creation

• Enter the URL for Corporate Affairs Commission portal (pre.cac.gov.ng)
• Click on the register or sign-up button.
• Enter the user’s details.
• An email is sent to the user email address.
• Click here to complete the registration.
• Enter the username and password and click on login button.

2. Accredited Agent Account Creation

• Enter the URL for Corporate Affairs Commission portal (pre.cac.gov.ng)
• Click on the register or sign-up button.
• Click on the icon “want to be an accredited agent?”
• Select accreditation agent.
• Enter the accredited agent/firm details
• Upload documents by clicking on upload and selecting the file you wish to.
• Click on proceed to payment.
• Click on the Remita button to make payment and submit.
• After successful payment, user is redirected to the preview page and an email is sent to the user for account verification.
• Click on download receipt.
• Open the email and click on the link to complete the registration.
• The application gets approval from the Approving Officer.
• Return to the portal and login using the username provided in the approval email and the password selected during account creation process.

New Name Reservation

1. Private company Limited By Shares

• Click on the New Name Reservation button.
• On the New Name Reservation page, fill in all required fields.
• Select classification company and specific type*(limited by shares, unlimited, sole proprietor, partnership).
• Enter proposed name option 1 and proposed name option 2 and click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the Objectives page, select reason for availability.
• Click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the preview page, crosscheck all information
• Click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the payment page, click the payment (Remita) button to make payment.
• On the Remita page, confirm the payment details and click on submit.
• Type your card details and click on Pay.
• The payment is successful, and user will be redirected to the company registration portal.
• After successful payment, view and download receipt on the receipt/post payment page.
• Click on the back to dashboard button to return to user dashboard.

2. Public Unlimited Company

• Login to your account and click on name reservation.
• Enter the name details click on save and continue.
• On the preview page, crosscheck all information.
• Click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the payment page, click the payment (Remita) button to make payment.
• After successful payment, system returns you to preview your transaction.
• Click on back to dashboard button to return to your dashboard.
• The reserved name will be pending approval by the Commission.
• The name is approved, and it moves under the reserved icon.
• Click on the reserved icon to view the approval history.

3. Public Company Limited By Shares

• Login to your account.
• Click on name reservation.
• Enter the name details click on save and continue.
• Select the reason for availability search.
• On the preview page, crosscheck all information.
• Click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the payment page, click the payment (Remita) button to make payment.
• After successful payment, system returns you to preview your transaction.
• Click on back to dashboard icon to return to your dashboard.
• The reserved name will remain under the pending approval tab until it is approved or denied by the Commission.
• The name is approved, and it will move under the reserved icon.
• Click on the reserved icon to view the approval history.

4. Business Name

• On the user dashboard, click on new reservation.
• Click on classification and select business name.
• Select specific type.
• Fill proposed names and click on save and continue.
• Fill the objective form and click on save and continue.
• Preview the page and click on save and continue.
• Click on the Remita button to proceed to payment.
• After successful payment, view and download receipt on the receipt/post payment page.
• Click on the back to dashboard button to return to user dashboard.

CAC Business Name Registration

• On the portal, you can start registration with your Name Availability Code or click on the reserved tab under name reservations to view approved name reservations.
• On the Reserved Name Reservation page, click on the corresponding start registration button.
• On the Business Details page, fill all required fields.
• Click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On particulars of proprietors add either individual partner, corporate partner or minor partner.
• Click on save and continue.
• On the Nature of Business page, click on the add nature of business button and fill all required fields.
• Click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the Document Upload page, upload all necessary documents and click the save and continue button to proceed.
• On the preview page, crosscheck all information.
• Click on proceed to payment.
• On the payment page, click the payment (Remita) button and make payment.
• After successful payment, view and download receipt on the receipt/post payment page.
• Click on the back to dashboard button to return to user dashboard.

CAC Registration

Here are the steps to register a business name with the CAC:

1. Create an account through the e-Registration portal

Before you can register your business with CAC, you must first create an account.

Visit the official CAC website and sign up for an account to start the company registration process.

2. Search for Company Name

You must first register a distinctive name that is associated with your brand and has not yet been assigned to another business before you can register your company.

Select “Search Now” from the Public Search section.

You would need to look for a different name if the one you had in mind for your proposed business was already taken.

However, if the name is available, move on to the following step.

3. Reserve Company Name

Your preferred company name may be reserved here.

Type of business (private company limited by shares, public company, etc.), proposed company name, and goals should all be entered.

You must finish your payment after entering all the required data in each column.

Within 24 hours, the CAC must inform you of the status of your application.

If your business name reservation is approved, you will receive a note containing a code for the name’s availability.

4. Register Company

To continue registering your business, enter your company name availability code in the box provided.

Once the code has been validated, move on to the Registration Form CAC 1.1 and complete the fields.

You must enter information about your company’s specifics, such as the principal business it conducts, its registered office address, and its email address.

Enter personal information, including name, date of birth, gender, phone number, form of identification, and the proportion of shares to be held, to get information on the company’s directors and shareholders.

Likewise, enter this information for the company secretary (individual or corporate body).

To complete section E of the form, the statutory declaration of compliance with the requirements of CAMA, you would need to hire a legal practitioner.

The drafting of the Articles of Association may also require legal help.

Pay the required CAC registration fee (which varies by company type) after completing the form, plus stamp duty.

Then, you must scan and upload the following PDF-formatted documents: the printout of the approval notes, the registration form CAC 1.1, the receipt for the CAC payment, the identification of the directors and shareholders, the stamp duty certificate, the memorandum and articles of association, and the company secretary’s Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable).

Your company’s Certificate of Incorporation will be uploaded to your account dashboard, where you can quickly download and print it after the registration is finished and approved by the CAC.

After registering your business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission, these documents will then be rendered by the CAC to the proprietor:

• An original certificate of registration of the business name.
• CTC of the Application for the Registration of the business name.

A business name of more than one proprietor may decide to file a partnership deed with CAC after the registration process has been completed.

CAC Registration Requirements

Here is the list of documents to upload for CAC business name registration:

• Two passport-sized photographs.
• Availability print-out (Approval Note).
• Statutory Form (Form BN 1).
• Proficiency Certificate (If applicable).
• National Identification Number (NIN).
• Means of Identification (Driver’s License, International Passport, Permanent Voters’ Card).
• Payment Receipt.

How Much is Corporate Affairs Commission Registration?

The cost to register a business name in Nigeria with CAC varies based on different company profiles and criteria.

Here are the CAC registration fees:

Business Name Reservation Fee

• Business Name = ₦500
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) = ₦500
• Limited Partnership = ₦500
• Incorporate Trustees = ₦5,000

CAC Login

Here are the steps to log into the corporate affairs commission portal online:

• Open a web browser on your mobile phone or computer and visit the official website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (www.cac.gov.ng).
• When you are on the CAC website, move to the top right corner of the page.
• You will find a “sign in” or “login” button. Click on it to proceed to the login page.
• On the login page, you will see various user categories like “Public User,” “Agent,” “Lawyer,” or “CAC Staff.”
• Choose the user category that best suits your profile and click on it.
• After selecting the user category, you will be directed to a page where you need to input your user credentials (email address password and username).
• Complete the security verification procedure.
• Once you have entered your user credentials and completed the necessary security verification, click on the “Login” or “Sign in” button to submit your information.

On completion and successful login, you will be approved access to the CAC portal.

Here, you can analyze the diverse features and services available, such as company registration, filing of annual returns, business name search, and more.

Apprise yourself of the portal’s layout and menu options to guide you through the desired sections.

Why Should You Register Your Business

1. Protection and Security Certainty

When you register your business brand the government protects your business brand legally.

The protection services involves:

• Industrial theft
• Trademark
• Debt collection
• Copyright

2. Customers Trust

Registering with the CAC gives you the opportunity to be recognized by the target audience of your business.

It helps to establish your business as a legal entity.

This gives you access to commercial and government bank loans in raising significant capitals to assist you in your business brand and pursuits.

3. Investment From Sales of Shares in Your Business

Registering with the government gives you an opportunity to get other business owners to have investments and shares with your enterprise and it creates opportunities to learn from other business entities.

How to know if a business brand is registered

You may want to know how to check if a company is registered with the CAC.

To know if a business or your brand is registered with the corporate affairs commission (CAC), follow these steps:

• Go to the CAC’s website.
• Scroll down the site and click on “Public Search”
• Put in the RC Number of the company you wish to search (if known) or the full name of the company in the search box and click on “Search”
• If the brand is registered, it will display the results including the full company name, RC number, and office address.

Conclusion

Accessing the corporate affairs commission portal is an important step for individuals and businesses seeking to register, manage, or obtain information about corporations in Nigeria.

Registering a business in Nigeria can be a complex process, but it is essential for operating a legal and compliant business.

It is advisable to seek the services of a professional to guide you through the registration process.

Whether you want to open a big business enterprise or a small one, you are to register your business brand with the Nigerian government so as to make your business name and brand known.

The significance of business registration cannot be exaggerated as ownership of the registration certificate is essential to confer the right to operate a business legally and make functional all rights and privileges accorded to corporations in Nigeria.

By following the steps in this article, you should be able to log in to the CAC portal smoothly and take advantage of the known services efficiently.

Remember to keep your login credentials secure and abide by the guidelines and regulations outlined by the CAC during your dealings with the portal.

Now you know the steps to take to login to the portal, register your business now!

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