As of October 2026, the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) lists the fee to register a business name (a sole proprietorship) at GH₵ 130. The ORC also lists an annual renewal fee and optional faster "Prestige/VIP" service fees. You pay at the ORC's in-house bank or, for some services, through the Ghana.gov platform, so always confirm the payment route on the ORC site before you pay.
How much is the sole proprietorship registration fee?
These figures come from the ORC's own fee schedule at orc.gov.gh/fees.php, which is labelled as the 2026 schedule. Fees change, so check the page the day you register.
| Item | Fee (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Registration of a business name (sole proprietorship) | GH₵ 130 |
| Prestige/VIP service, additional fee | GH₵ 520 (so GH₵ 650 in total) |
| Certified copy under the Prestige/VIP service | GH₵ 30 |
| Annual renewal of a business name | GH₵ 70 |
You may see older figures online. One older ORC page lists a GH₵ 100 processing fee and a GH₵ 60 yearly renewal. The current fee schedule shows GH₵ 130 and GH₵ 70, so treat the older numbers as out of date.
The official fee schedule lists only the ORC's charges. If you use an agent, a lawyer or a business centre, they add their own fee on top. You do not need one for a plain business name.
What do you get for the fee?
After the Registrar examines and approves your application, you receive a Certificate of Registration and a certified copy of your registration form (Form A). That certificate is what banks, mobile money providers and many suppliers ask for when you open a business account.
How do I pay the business registration fee online?
The ORC's own pages are not fully consistent on this, so here is what we could confirm.
- Search your business name first, to check that nobody has it.
- Fill in Form A. You can download it from the ORC site or get it at the ORC.
- Submit Form A. The ORC's business registration page says to submit the signed form at the Business Names Registration Counter. An older ORC page also mentions submitting online. The ORC site has an "E-Portal" link, but we could not confirm from the public pages exactly which steps it covers.
- Pay the fee. The registration page says to pay at the in-house bank. The older page says you can pay online on the Ghana.gov platform. Annual renewals can be paid with a transaction ID on Ghana.gov or by dialling *222# and choosing the ORC option.
- Keep the receipt. You will need it if anything goes wrong.
If you cannot tell whether your application can be filed and paid online, call the ORC on 0308249841 or 0599525774 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) or email [email protected]. Do not pay anyone who contacts you through WhatsApp or Instagram claiming to be "ORC staff". Pay only through the bank or Ghana.gov routes the ORC publishes.
For the full process, read how to register a business in Ghana. For what to carry with you, see documents needed to register a business in Ghana.
Are there other costs after registering?
Yes, plan for these:
- Yearly renewal. The ORC lists a mandatory annual renewal for business names (GH₵ 70 on the current schedule).
- Tax registration. Individuals use their Ghana Card PIN as their TIN, and the GRA says getting a TIN is free. See how to get a TIN in Ghana.
- Local assembly permits. Some businesses need a permit from their district or municipal assembly, or a sector licence. We have not listed amounts because they differ by assembly and by trade.
- Payment fees. When customers pay you online, the payment provider takes a cut. On Paylead, online payments cost 4% + GH₵ 1 per sale, and pay on delivery costs 2% + GH₵ 1.
Do I need to register before I sell online?
Not to start. Many sellers begin with a free store and a MoMo number, then register once sales grow, a supplier asks for papers, or they want a business account. Registering makes sense when you need a business bank account, want to bid for work, or want to separate your money from your personal money. If you are still testing an idea, read how to start a business in Ghana with little money.
Use your registration to get paid online
Once you are registered, put your business name on your store and your receipts. Create a free Paylead account, add your products, and share one link. Customers pay by MoMo or card, and you can send invoices or a payment link with your business name on them. The Starter plan is free.
FAQ
How much does it cost to register a sole proprietorship in Ghana?
The ORC fee schedule lists GH₵ 130 for registering a business name as of October 2026. The optional Prestige/VIP service adds GH₵ 520.
Can I pay the business registration fee online?
The ORC mentions the Ghana.gov platform for some payments, and its registration page mentions the in-house bank. Confirm the current option with the ORC before you pay.
How much is the annual renewal?
The current ORC schedule lists GH₵ 70 for the annual renewal of a business name. An older page shows GH₵ 60, so check the schedule.
Do I need a lawyer to register a sole proprietorship?
The ORC's process is a form and a fee, with no lawyer required. You can hire help if you prefer, but it will cost extra.
Is registering a business name the same as getting a TIN?
No. Registration with the ORC creates your business name. Tax identification is separate and handled by the GRA.
Fees were checked on orc.gov.gh in October 2026. Check the official fee schedule before you pay.
