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SEC Registration: How to Register a Corporation in the Philippines

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SEC Registration Service in the Philippines

At FilePino, we specialize in guiding businesses like yours through the SEC registration process. Our expert team ensures that all documents are drafted, gathered, and filed carefully and promptly. We simplify the process further with our comprehensive knowledge of SEC requirements and transactions, saving you time and effort.

What is SEC Registration?

The Securities and Exchange (SEC) Registration is a compulsory business registration process for corporations and partnerships to legitimize the juridical units and permit them to participate legally in business, issue receipts, trade with financial assets, and be entitled to the rights under the nation’s corporate and investment laws.

Who Needs SEC Registration? 

Your company or business requires SEC registration if it is under the mandate of the commission or falls under any of the following:

Domestic, one-person, and foreign stock corporations that are engaged in income-generating activities, have authorized capital stock divided into shares either with or without par value, and can declare dividends.  

Associations, foundations, religious, and non-government organizations that do not have authorized capital stock and are organized for charitable, religious, educational, professional, cultural, fraternal, literary, scientific, and other similar purposes. 

General and limited partnerships formed by two or more individuals upon combining their capital, properties, and other resources for the transaction of lawful business for gain.

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Ready for your company's
SEC Registration?
Incorporate your company and secure SEC Registration! We, at Filepino, specialize in guiding businesses through the legal, technical, and capital requirements of incorporation and registration.

SEC Registration Requirements

You can register your company online through SEC’s eSPARC by filling out a registration form with the information below, together with the uploading of the necessary documents:

SEC Registration Process

The SEC registration comes in two major phases—the online registration via eSPARC and the submission of the hard copies of the documents to the SEC Processing Office. Here’s how we process the registration on behalf of our clients: 

Step 1 : Consult with Corporate Legal Experts
We start with a consultation and tailored legal and business advice on critical aspects of company incorporation, such as business structure, capital structure, foreign equity, etc., and SEC registration requirements.
Step 2 : Avail Nominee Directors and Corporate Secretarial Services (if necessary).
We also offer nominee directors and corporate secretarial services, especially to foreign corporations that need legal representatives in the Philippines to fulfill statutory and regulatory obligations and to assist in navigating through the complex corporate laws and regulations.
Step 3 : Verify and Reserve Your Company Name
Once we settle everything, we start the SEC registration with a company name verification and reservation through the SEC eSPARC. This is to ensure that the preferred corporate name is not in conflict with those existing in the database.
Step 4 : Proceed to eSPARC Registration (SEC Online Registration).
While waiting for the results of the name verification, company details may already be encoded on eSPARC for company registration. We then proceed to the generation, review, and initial submission of the application.
Step 5 : Route the Documents for Signing and Notarization
We closely monitor the progress of the registration, and once the documents are approved, we download them for printing, signing, and notarization. We must upload the signed and notarized documents within 30 days to avoid cancellation.
Step 6 : Pay the Registration and Other Fees
We usually wait for a few days for the SEC to give us the final approval and send us the Payment Assessment Form (PAF), which indicates the fees to settle. After payment, we can already receive the digital Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 7 : Submit the Document Hard Copies to SEC
We also submit the physical or hard copies of the documents to the SEC Processing Office (SEC Main Office) within thirty (30) days from payment.
Step 8 : Receive the SEC Certificate
We then receive the SEC Certificate of Incorporation (for corporation) or Recording (for partnership) in a physical copy.
Step 1 : Consult with Corporate Legal Experts
We start with a consultation and tailored legal and business advice on critical aspects of company incorporation, such as business structure, capital structure, foreign equity, etc., and SEC registration requirements.
Step 2 : Avail Nominee Directors and Corporate Secretarial Services (if necessary).
We also offer nominee directors and corporate secretarial services, especially to foreign corporations that need legal representatives in the Philippines to fulfill statutory and regulatory obligations and to assist in navigating through the complex corporate laws and regulations.
Step 3 : Verify and Reserve Your Company Name
Once we settle everything, we start the SEC registration with a company name verification and reservation through the SEC eSPARC. This is to ensure that the preferred corporate name is not in conflict with those existing in the database.
Step 4 : Proceed to eSPARC Registration (SEC Online Registration).
While waiting for the results of the name verification, company details may already be encoded on eSPARC for company registration. We then proceed to the generation, review, and initial submission of the application.
Step 5 : Route the Documents for Signing and Notarization
We closely monitor the progress of the registration, and once the documents are approved, we download them for printing, signing, and notarization. We must upload the signed and notarized documents within 30 days to avoid cancellation.
Step 6 : Pay the Registration and Other Fees
We usually wait for a few days for the SEC to give us the final approval and send us the Payment Assessment Form (PAF), which indicates the fees to settle. After payment, we can already receive the digital Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 7 : Submit the Document Hard Copies to SEC
We also submit the physical or hard copies of the documents to the SEC Processing Office (SEC Main Office) within thirty (30) days from payment.
Step 8 : Receive the SEC Certificate
We then receive the SEC Certificate of Incorporation (for corporation) or Recording (for partnership) in a physical copy.

SEC Registration Fees

The SEC registration fees vary based on the company structure (e.g., corporation or partnership), authorized capitalization (e.g., PHP 1 million, PHP 5 million, etc.), and other factors. Here’s a sample breakdown of fees for a stock corporation with an authorized capitalization of PHP 1 million: 

What Documents to Receive

After your successful SEC registration, you will be issued the following documents that will serve as proof of your registration and compliance:

Why Choose FilePino's SEC Registration Service?

Get started with your company incorporation — and secure SEC Registration!
We, at FilePino, provide expert consultation on the essential and critical aspects of company incorporation and offer tailored support throughout the entire SEC registration process.
FilePino is a leading and trusted SEC Registration service provider in the Philippines. Based in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, Metro Manila—one of the country’s most dynamic and thriving business hubs—we are strategically positioned to serve your business needs.

Why Choose FilePino's SEC Registration Service?

Get started with your company incorporation — and secure SEC Registration! We, at FilePino, provide expert consultation on the essential and critical aspects of company incorporation and offer tailored support throughout the entire SEC registration process. FilePino is a leading and trusted SEC Registration service provider in the Philippines. Based in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, Metro Manila—one of the country’s most dynamic and thriving business hubs—we are strategically positioned to serve your business needs.

Corporate Law
Expertise

We have a team of corporate lawyers who can walk you through the legal, technical, and financial requirements of company incorporation and provide comprehensive advice on mitigating risks and handling complex legal matters.

Comprehensive Incorporation

We offer a complete range of services to support your SEC registration and the succeeding processes, including legal documentation (e.g., apostille, notarization, etc.), visa processing, nominee director and corporate secretarial services, and virtual office leasing, among others.

eSPARC Technical
Know-How

We are adept in the use of eSPARC, the SEC’s online platform for company registration. We can leverage our technical knowledge to streamline the application process, troubleshoot common issues, and ensure accurate and timely submissions.

Time-Saving
Solutions

We understand how valuable business time is, so we keep on finding effective strategies and solutions to ensure the quickest turnaround times for all our services without compromising legal compliance and standards.

What's Next?

After successfully completing your SEC Registration, we can guide you through the BPLO Registration process and help you secure your LGU Business Permits. Learn more: ​
If you’re a foreign investor or business entity looking to expand operations, this guide provides valuable insights into key sectors for your investment:
After successfully completing your SEC Registration, we can guide you through the BPLO Registration process and help you secure your LGU Business Permits. Learn more: ​
If you’re a foreign investor or business entity looking to expand operations, this guide provides valuable insights into key sectors for your investment:

free 30 mins consultation

Register and Grow your Business Today!

SEC Registration FAQs

Company incorporation is the legal process of forming a company or corporate entity. In its basic sense, a corporation is the resulting juridical entity with income, assets, and liabilities independent or separate from its owners and investors.

In the Philippines, company incorporation starts with registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). SEC registration is a compulsory business registration process to legitimize the juridical unit and permit it to participate legally in business, issue receipts, trade with financial assets, and be entitled to rights under the nation’s corporate and investment laws.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with its main office at 7907 Makati Avenue, Bel-Air, Makati City, is the registrar and overseer of the Philippine corporate sector. It supervises the capital market participants, the securities and investment instruments market, and the protection of the investing public.

Business entities under the mandate of the commission and thus, require registrations include domestic and foreign stock corporations (i.e., including one person corporations), non-stock corporations, and partnerships. Sole proprietorships and cooperatives do not require registrations with the commission, rather with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), respectively.

Yes, the SEC allows online registration via the SEC Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration (eSPARC); however, the signed and notarized documentary requirements still require in-person submission.

With expert assistance, however, the registration process can be streamlined, effectively  addressing potential bottlenecks, obtaining permits and licenses promptly, and ensuring timely launch of the business.

Documentary requirements, such as the Application Summary Form, Cover Sheet, Articles of Incorporation (AOI), Certificate of Authentication, and By-Laws are system-generated based on the encoded company details upon online registration. The uploading of supporting documents is optional, but it is important to examine the business structure and anticipate whether documents, such as incorporation files of a juridical entity or appeal letters for company or trade names, shall be required.

Clearances or endorsements from appropriate government agencies may also be required, depending on the industry in which the business belongs. For example, schools need clearances from the Department of Education (DepEd), banks from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), hospitals from the Department of Health (DOH), and so on.

The SEC registration usually takes about two (2) to four (4) weeks, depending on the completeness of documentary requirements and operational efficiency in the SEC Office. 

Normally, the SEC assesses the registration fees based on the authorized capital stock and business structure. Aside from the registration or filing fees, other fees include name verification, legal research, documentary stamp tax, and Foreign Investments Act (FIA) fees, if applicable. 

After successful SEC registration, the registrant receives a Certificate of Incorporation or Partnership and other incorporation documents, such as the Articles of Incorporation (AOI) and Bylaws. With these documents, the company may already be registered or licensed with other government regulatory agencies (i.e., BIR, BPLO, statutory agencies, etc.)

SEC registration may be convenient and straightforward given the existence and utilization of SEC eSPARC, but in reality, it is complex and complicated. Before starting off with the registration, it is crucial to deal with and decide on many legal, technical, and financial aspects of the company, such as business structure, corporate term, capital requirements, and other incorporation details. Thus, it is strongly recommended to consult a business expert or corporate lawyer.

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