Zambia - Register a Business Name

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. To apply for registering a business name in Zambia, the applicant will have to contact the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), for the main office visit link.
2. Make sure that all the documents are available, that are listed under the “Required Documents” section of this page.
3. It is recommended to apply for a name clearance which may also be obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority website.
4. A maximum of three names can be proposed. The names will be considered in the order of listing.
5. If the first choice is turned down the second or third name may be considered.

   Note: The following names are not allowed: a name that is too long and difficult to pronounce, a name that suggest that the applicant enjoys the patronage of the President,a name that is confusingly similar to what already exists or the same as a well-known name, offensive or undesirable names(this means that a name should not be in the form of an insult as this is against public policy), deceptive or misleading names, use of the word Zambia as a prefix].

6. For the successful registration of business name, BN(Business Name) Form III must be completed, in duplicate, and duly signed by the applicant, download the form here form.
7. The name reservation process is completed within 24 Hours if forms are correctly completed.
8. Upon the satisfaction of the authorities, a provisional certificate will be accessible.
9. The applicant gets the license in around one day.

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Required Documents

• Completed Business Form III – Application for Business Name Registration.
• Name Clearance Form.
• Application for incorporation of a Private Limited by shares.
• Application for incorporation of a Private Limited by guarantee.
• Consent to act as Director/Secretary.
• Declaration of Compliance.
• Standard Articles.
• Proof payment receipts.
• Proof of identification document(s).

Office Locations & Contacts

The Revenue Authority
Pacra House
Haile Selassie Avenue
Long Acres
P.O.Box 32020
Lusaka, Zambia
Call center: 5111
Email: [email protected]
Contact link.

Eligibility

• Applicants should have a Name Clearance Certificate.
• Applicants should be of age – 18 years and above.
• Applicants should be of Sound Mind.

Fees

• Registration Fee – K166.

Validity

• Registration certificate is valid until the business/ company is wound up.

Documents to Use

• BN Form III form download link.

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The processing time is 24 hours if the form is completed duly.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <& video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&>
from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, google video, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of the webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• A name or designation similar to another trade name, if likely to mislead the public, should not be used by another enterprise.
• Once the name is accepted, it is automatically reserved for a period of 30 days. After 30 days the name clearance expires.

Required Information

• Business type
• Name
• Physical address
• Postal address
• organisation details(if applicable)
• Passport number
• NRC number

Need for the Document

• Business Names should be registered in order to be protected as a trade name of one enterprise or firm may not be used by another.

Information which might help

• A Registered Business Name or Firm is an association of one or more individuals or corporations that have entered into partnership with one another for the purpose of carrying on business for profit.
• A Business Name or Commercial name, as it is sometimes referred to, is a designation which identifies an enterprise.
• Business Name Registration Act of Zambia link.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

Others

More information which might help people.