To register a sole proprietorship in Ghana, the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) asks for a completed, signed Form A and the registration fee. To register a limited company, you submit Form 3C with a consent letter from an accountant, statutory declarations, stated capital details and beneficial ownership information. As of October 2026, the ORC's public pages do not clearly describe a full online registration, so confirm that with the ORC before you assume you can register from your phone.
What documents do I need to register a sole proprietorship?
The ORC's business registration page lists these steps:
- Search that your business name is available.
- Get Form A, from the ORC's in-house bank or by download from orc.gov.gh.
- Complete and sign Form A, then submit it at the Business Names Registration Counter.
- Pay the fee. See the sole proprietorship registration fee.
The page names Form A as the document. It does not list a Ghana Card or TIN as a requirement. In practice, Form A asks for the owner's identity details, and individuals now use their Ghana Card PIN as their tax number, so bring your Ghana Card. If the counter asks for more, that is the ORC's call, so check by phone first.
A short checklist for the day:
- Your Ghana Card (and its PIN)
- Two or three business name options, in case your first is taken
- A clear description of what the business does
- Your business address and phone number
- Money for the fee, and a way to keep the receipt
What documents do I need to register a limited company?
The ORC's page for incorporation of a company limited by shares lists:
- The company registration form (Form 3C)
- A consent letter from a qualified, licensed chartered accountant, registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana, to act as auditor
- Statutory declaration forms, witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public, or self-declared
- Stated capital information: the share structure and who owns what
- Beneficial ownership information on the people who ultimately own or control the company
- Consent letters from the directors and the company secretary
- The incorporation and filing fee (GH₵ 585 on the ORC's 2026 fee schedule, plus capital duty of 1% on stated capital)
The page also lists director and secretary requirements. Because company rules can change, read them on the ORC page and confirm the minimum number of directors with the ORC before you start.
Can I register my business online in Ghana?
Here is what we could confirm in October 2026:
- The ORC site has an E-Portal link.
- An older ORC page says Form A can be submitted "online" and the fee paid online on Ghana.gov.
- The current business registration and company pages describe submitting forms at the ORC's counters and paying at the in-house bank. They do not walk through an online process.
- Annual renewals for business names can be filed by USSD (*222#), with payment on Ghana.gov.
So the honest answer is: some parts can be done digitally, but we cannot promise a start-to-finish online registration. Call the ORC on 0308249841 or 0599525774 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) or email [email protected] and ask what you can file online today. Be careful with "agents" on social media who ask for payment into a MoMo number. Pay through the bank or Ghana.gov routes the ORC publishes.
Which one should I register?
Sole proprietorships are simple and cheap. Limited companies cost more and need more paperwork, but they have a separate legal identity. See sole proprietorship vs limited company in Ghana to compare.
What do I need after registration?
- A TIN. Individuals use their Ghana Card PIN. Companies get a separate GRA-generated TIN. See how to get a TIN in Ghana.
- A business account. Banks and mobile money providers usually ask for your certificate.
- Permits. Depending on your trade or location, you may need an assembly permit or a sector licence. Ask your district or municipal assembly.
The full walk-through is in how to register a business in Ghana.
Do you need to be registered to sell online?
Not to begin. You can open a free Paylead account, add products and take MoMo and card payments while you sort out your paperwork. Online payments cost 4% + GH₵ 1 per sale, and the Starter plan is free. Registering helps when you want a business bank account, bigger suppliers or proper receipts.
FAQ
What is Form A?
It is the ORC's registration form for a business name (sole proprietorship). You sign it and submit it with the fee.
Do I need a TIN before I register a sole proprietorship?
The ORC's page for business names does not list a TIN as a requirement. Individuals use their Ghana Card PIN as their TIN, according to the GRA.
Can I register a business without a Ghana Card?
We could not confirm an exception. Get a Ghana Card first, or ask the ORC what it accepts in your case.
How long does registration take?
The ORC's public page does not state a timeline for ordinary applications. It advertises faster delivery for its paid Prestige/VIP service, so ask the ORC for the current timing.
Is a business name the same as a limited company?
No. A business name is a sole proprietorship, owned by one person. A limited company is a separate legal entity with shareholders.
Information checked on orc.gov.gh in October 2026. Always confirm requirements with the ORC before you go.
