SEC Business Registration in the Philippines: Complete Guide for 2025

For businesses just starting up, the first stop in navigating regulation in the Philippines is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Corporations, partnerships, or one-person companies must all register with the SEC if they want their business idea to become a legal entity.

The Philippines has made significant strides in streamlining business registration. The SEC’s new digital platforms have cut registration times from weeks to days for many businesses. This guide walks you through SEC registration, from understanding which business structures need registration to completing your application.

We’ll also show you how a Wise Business account can simplify your financial management, making it easier to receive international payments and manage multiple currencies as your business grows.

Table of contents
What is the SEC? Why, and what types of business must register Key steps in the SEC registration process Understanding SEC registration fees SEC registration timeline Ongoing SEC compliance requirements

What is the SEC?

The SEC oversees the corporate sector in the Philippines. It formulates policies for corporations, regulates the securities market, and has the authority to approve or reject registration applications.

For anyone starting a business, the SEC serves as your first point of contact with the Philippine government’s regulatory framework.

Why businesses must register with the SEC

Registering with the SEC is mandatory if you want to operate as a corporation, partnership, or association. Without registration, you can’t legally conduct business activities, issue official receipts, or trade financial assets.

Registration provides credibility. When suppliers, customers, and partners see you’re properly registered, it signals you’re serious about operating within legal boundaries. Registered businesses are also entitled to specific rights under Philippine corporate and investment laws.

Types of business entities that must register with the SEC

Stock corporations are for-profit businesses with shareholders. This includes domestic corporations and foreign corporations, such as branch offices and representative offices.

Non-stock corporations are non-profit entities like foundations, religious organisations, and membership associations.

Partnerships involving two or more people need SEC registration if they meet certain capital thresholds.

One Person Corporations (OPCs) allow a single individual to form a corporation without needing additional incorporators, ideal for solo entrepreneurs who want corporate structure benefits.

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Key steps in the SEC registration process

The SEC has modernised its system through the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) and SEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (SEC ZERO) platforms.

Start by securing a unique business name through the SEC’s online portal. Name verification remains valid for 30 days, and its cost is determined by your business type.¹

Next, complete an application form and prepare your founding documents. For corporations, this means Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. The SEC ZERO system generates these automatically based on your information.

You’ll deposit the minimum paid-up capital requirement. Philippine law requires at least 25% of authorised capital subscribed, with 25% of that paid up at registration. The minimum is PHP 5,000 for stock corporations.²

Regulated industries like banking, insurance, or education need additional licences from specialised agencies before SEC approval.

SEC ZERO lets eligible businesses complete the entire process online without physical documents or office visits, using electronic authentication through eSECURE (PHP 400 verification fee³) and eSAP platforms.

This is when you’ll want to consider opening a business account, and start looking at what options are available.

We've made it easier for you by compiling some helpful reviews of some of the top business bank accounts in the Philippines.

➡️Metrobank Business Account
➡️UnionBank Business Account
➡️Chinabank Business Account
➡️RCBC Business Account

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💡Are bank accounts limited to USD, EUR, or GBP options holding back your business? With a Wise Business multi-currency account, you can access over 10 local account numbers — far more currency options than the handful most banks offer. Plus, Wise makes it easy to hold, send, receive, and exchange 40+ currencies from a single account. With the freedom to send and receive payments in more currencies globally, you can focus on what matters most: growing a local business that knows no borders.

• Obtain account details to receive payments in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD and more for a one-time fee of 1,400 PHP.
• Zero fees when you get paid via ACH, FAST, InstaPay/PESONet, & other local transfers.
• Send money to pay invoices, suppliers & contractors fast, with less fees
• Always get the mid-market rate with transparent conversion fees starting from 0.57%.
• Pay your bills and ad-hoc overseas expenses using the Wise Business card without hefty foreign transaction fees.
• Seamless integrations with popular accounting software.

➡️Get started with Wise Business today

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What documents you’ll receive

Once approved, you’ll receive a Certificate of Incorporation (for corporations) or Certificate of Recording (for partnerships). You’ll also get stamped copies of your Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and Treasurer’s Affidavit.

You’ll need these documents for registering with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and securing business permits from your local government unit.

Understanding SEC registration fees

SEC registration fees vary based on your company structure and authorised capital.

Fee Type	Basis	Typical Amount
Name reservation	30-day validity	PHP 120⁶
Filing fee (stock corp)	0.01% of authorised capital⁴	PHP 200 minimum⁴
Legal research fee	1% of filing fee⁵	PHP 10 minimum⁵
By-laws fee	Flat rate	PHP 1,010⁶

*Details accurate as of 24th October 2025

For a stock corporation with PHP 1 million in authorised capital, total SEC fees are approximately PHP 3,310.

SEC registration timeline

For straightforward domestic stock corporations with an authorised capital of PHP 1 million or less, SEC ZERO can process your application in one day. Most other businesses using regular eSPARC should expect 3-7 business days, or 1-2 weeks if special clearance or hard-copy paperwork is needed

Post-registration requirements

After receiving your SEC certificate, you’ll need to follow up on some other government registrations.

➡️Check out our How to Start a Business in the Philippines Guide for more details.

• Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue before any tax is due, using Form 2303, to receive your Certificate of Registration and Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• Secure both a Barangay Clearance and a Mayor’s Business Permit from your city or municipal hall. If you’re hiring employees, register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG within 30 days of your first hire.⁶
• Open a corporate bank account using your SEC and BIR documents.

Regulated industries need additional licences, for example:

• Banking and finance businesses require Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas approval
• Educational institutions need DepEd or CHED permits
• Food and pharmaceutical businesses must secure FDA clearances

💡If you need to handle payments in multiple currencies, why not consider opening a Wise Business account?

A Wise Business account offers 40+ currencies in one place, letting you receive payments using local account details and send money internationally at the mid-market exchange rate with transparent conversion fees from 0.57%.

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Ongoing SEC compliance requirements

Registered businesses have continuing obligations. Here’s a quick overview:⁶

Report	Deadline	Requirements
General Information Sheet	30 days after AGM	Via eFAST
Audited Financial Statements	120 days post fiscal year-end	BIR-stamped before SEC filing
Beneficial Ownership Updates	Within 30 days of change	Affirm annually with GIS

*Details accurate as of 24th October 2025

All filings go through the SEC’s Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST). Late submissions trigger penalties from PHP 1,000 to 10,000 or more per form per month.

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Conclusion

Whether you’re launching a tech startup, a consulting firm, or establishing a manufacturing operation, SEC registration is your gateway to operating as a legitimate business in the Philippines.

A legally registered business gains immediate credibility with customers, suppliers, and partners. Registration signals you’re serious about operations and committed to following rules.

Registration also means you’re covered legally. Your business becomes a separate legal entity that can enter into contracts, own property, and pursue remedies in court. Without registration, you’re operating in a grey area that exposes you to penalties.

And, while any kind of legal business registration might feel a little daunting, the SEC ZERO system makes registration faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever. Most businesses can complete core SEC registration in just a few days.

Once registered, having the right financial infrastructure becomes essential.

A Wise Business account gives you local account details in 8+ currencies, making it easy for international clients to pay you. Send money to suppliers in 140+ countries using the mid-market exchange rate, and use your Wise Business card in 150+ countries with no foreign transaction fees levied.

➡️Get started with Wise Business today.

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Sources:

1 - SEC - eSPARC User Guide

2 - Incorporation.ph - Paid-Up Capital

3 - SEC - eSecure Application Process

4 - JUR.ph - Filing Fees

5 - Respicio - Legal Process Costs

6 - Respicio - SEC Requirements

Sources checked on 24th October 2025.