SEC Partnership/Corporation Registration Guide (Philippines)
This guide walks you through the current SEC online registration process via the eSPARC system for partnerships and corporations in the Philippines.
What you’ll learn in this SEC registration guide
This SEC partnership and corporation registration guide for the Philippines explains how the eSPARC process works, what documents you need, and how fees are computed so you can register your company correctly.
For related steps, also see our Business Registration and Bank Account Guide, VAT vs Non-VAT Tax Type Guide, and TRAIN Law Compliance Guide.
To plan your SEC registration budget, paid-up capital, and follow-on costs (DST, notarial, and BIR registration fees), you can also use our Budget Calculator as part of your overall startup cost planning.
The registration for a Partnership or Corporation in the Philippines is done primarily online through the SEC Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) system. The steps below reflect the most current online process.
📝 Step-by-Step SEC Registration Process (Partnership/Corporation)
The following steps apply to both domestic stock corporations (including One Person Corporations) and partnerships via the eSPARC system. The official website is the primary hub for this process.
1. Online Name Verification and Application Filing (eSPARC)
- Go to the SEC eSPARC website.
- Sign up and log in to the system.
- Select your company type (Corporation or Partnership) and the processing method (for example, Regular or OneSEC, if applicable for your type).
- Verify and reserve your proposed business name. The system will check if the name is available and compliant with SEC rules.
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Fill out the online application form with all the necessary details, including:
- Primary purpose or nature of the business.
- Principal office address.
- Capital structure (Authorised, Subscribed, and Paid-Up Capital for Corporations; Total Capital Contribution for Partnerships).
- Details of the incorporators or partners, directors, and officers.
- Review the application and submit it through the eSPARC system.
2. SEC Review and Payment Assessment
- Wait for the SEC to review your application (status will be sent via email). This usually takes a few business days.
- Once approved for payment, the SEC will issue a Payment Assessment Form (PAF) detailing the exact registration fees.
3. Payment of Fees
- Pay the fees indicated on the PAF using the available payment gateways (eSPAYSEC, Landbank, or other over-the-counter options).
4. Document Submission and Certificate Issuance
- For Regular Processing: Download the generated documents (Articles of Incorporation or Partnership, By-Laws, Treasurer’s Affidavit). Have these documents signed and notarised by the incorporators or partners. Submit the hard copies along with the proof of payment to the designated SEC Processing Office via courier or registered mail within the specified period (usually 30 calendar days).
- For ZERO Processing (Zuper Easy Registration Online, for certain company types): The system issues a digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation or Recording upon payment, eliminating the need for physical signing and submission of hard copies.
- Once all requirements are met, the SEC will issue your official Certificate of Incorporation (for a Corporation) or Certificate of Recording (for a Partnership).
✅ General SEC Registration Checklist (Documents)
The specific documents vary based on the type of entity (stock, non-stock, general partnership, limited partnership, and so on), but the core requirements are:
- Name Verification Slip (generated in eSPARC).
- Articles of Incorporation (AOI) (for a Corporation) or Articles of Partnership (AP) (for a Partnership).
- By-Laws (for a Corporation).
- Treasurer's Affidavit (for a Stock Corporation).
- Joint Affidavit of Two or More Incorporators (if the AOI does not contain a statement that the incorporators have substantially met the legal requirements).
- Proof of Paid-up Capital (Bank Certificate of Deposit for the Paid-Up Capital). Note: The minimum paid-up capital is often not required for a corporation, except for certain regulated industries.
- Cover Sheet.
- Endorsement or Clearance from other government agencies, if the business is in a regulated industry (for example, financial, educational, and so on).
💰 Estimated Basic SEC Registration Fees (Philippines)
The fees are calculated based on a formula tied to the authorised capital stock or capital contribution. The Payment Assessment Form (PAF) will have the final, accurate amount.
| Fee Component | Stock Corporation (with Par Value) | Partnership |
|---|---|---|
| Name Reservation Fee | ₱100.00 (per 30 days) | ₱100.00 (per 30 days) |
| Filing Fee (Articles of Inc./Part.) | 1/5 of 1% of the Authorised Capital Stock (min. ₱2,000.00) | 1/5 of 1% of the Total Contributed Capital (min. ₱2,000.00) |
| Legal Research Fee (LRF) | 1% of the Filing Fee (min. ₱10.00) | 1% of the Filing Fee (min. ₱10.00) |
| By-Laws Fee | ₱1,010.00 (fixed) | N/A (By-Laws are optional for a Partnership) |
| Stock & Transfer Book Fee | ₱470.00 (fixed) | N/A |
Example Estimation for a Stock Corporation:
If a corporation has an Authorised Capital Stock of ₱1,000,000.00:
- Filing Fee: ₱1,000,000 x 0.002 = ₱2,000.00
- LRF: ₱2,000.00 x 0.01 = ₱20.00
- Name Reservation: ₱100.00
- By-Laws: ₱1,010.00
- Stock & Transfer Book Fee: ₱470.00
- Estimated SEC Total: ₱3,600.00
Important Note:
The fees above are for the SEC registration only. You will have additional costs for:
- Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) on the original issuance of shares (approximately ₱20.00 per ₱200.00 par value of shares, or 1/5 of 1% of the capital for Partnerships).
- Notarial fees for the documents (varies).
- BIR Registration Fee (₱500.00 per year, paid annually).