For a sole trader business name, the Registry currently publishes TT$20 for name reservation and TT$220 for the registration filing. For a profit company, it publishes TT$25 for name reservation and TT$520 for incorporation. Before either route, the people who need to transact in CROS must have the appropriate Companies Registry Account.
Step 1: decide what you are registering
A person trading alone under a registered business name normally uses the individual business-name route. A limited liability company is a separate legal entity incorporated under the Companies Act. The structures have different ownership, liability, governance and continuing filing consequences.
If you are undecided, read Sole Trader vs Limited Company in Trinidad and Tobago before paying for a name reservation.
Step 2: prepare the Companies Registry Account
CROS is the Companies Registry Online System. The individual CRA verifies the identity of the person transacting in the system. The Registry currently asks for a birth certificate, two forms of photo identification and a headshot showing one submitted ID beside the applicant's face, together with personal/contact/address information and name-change evidence where applicable.
The Registrar General states that there is no Government fee to create the CRA. BizReg's TTD $350 CRA Registration Support is a professional assistance fee per applicant.
For a profit company, every person engaged in forming the company—including directors and incorporators—needs a CRA. That is why company formation can involve several CRA applicants before the company itself is filed.
Step 3: search and reserve the name
The Registry encourages applicants to search CROS before reserving a name. An individual business-name reservation currently costs TT$20; a profit-company name reservation costs TT$25. The Registry publishes a three-working-day processing time for the reservation request.
An approved name is reserved for 45 days. Use that window to complete registration or incorporation rather than treating it as a waiting period.
Sole trader route: register the individual business name
After the name is approved, the individual completes the business registration in CROS. The current Registry filing fee is TT$220. The application captures the proprietor, business name, nature of business, business address and other prescribed particulars.
The Registry's current instructions say the completed application is printed, signed and delivered to the Companies Online Counter for collection of the Certificate of Registration.
BizReg's Sole Trader Registration Support starts at TTD $650, with government charges separate unless the written scope says they are included.
Company route: coordinate directors, incorporators and approvals
A private profit company must have at least two directors. Once the company name is approved, every person or entity involved in formation grants the appropriate CROS approval. The applicant then files the Articles of Incorporation and required notices.
The current Companies Registry incorporation fee is TT$520. After electronic submission, the Registry's instructions require duplicate Articles of Incorporation, Notice of Address and Notice of Directors to be printed, signed with original signatures and delivered to the Companies Counter.
BizReg's Limited Company Registration Support starts at TTD $1,500, with government charges separate unless expressly included.
What information should be ready before filing
What can cause a registration delay
Common avoidable problems include weak or conflicting name choices, incomplete identity documents, names that do not match official records, missing CROS approvals, incorrect addresses, unanswered Registry queries and letting a 45-day reservation approach expiry.
The Registry publishes three working days for name reservation, not for the entire CRA-to-certificate journey. Read How long business registration takes for a stage-by-stage timeline.
What the registration certificate does not complete
The certificate does not create the business's tax registrations, NIS employer registration or bank account. A company also takes on annual and event-driven Registry obligations after incorporation.
Use the After Registering a Business checklist for BIR/PAYE, NIS, VAT, banking, Annual Returns and beneficial ownership.
The first bank-account preparation can begin during registration
If the business will need a commercial bank account immediately, choose the likely bank early and collect its current checklist. Republic Bank and First Citizens publish start-up financial information requirements, while RBC publishes detailed financial requirements for commercial financing.
BizReg offers three-year cash-flow projections plus a bank opening letter and a self-inking company stamp as separate services.
Understand the fees before comparing providers
| Core Registry step | Sole trader / individual | Profit company |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | TT$20 | TT$25 |
| Registration / incorporation | TT$220 | TT$520 |
| CRA Government fee | No fee | No fee per applicant |
These are current Registry fees and can change. They are distinct from BizReg professional fees. Read the full business-registration cost guide before comparing packages.
A clean start-to-finish checklist
- Choose the business structure.
- Prepare and obtain each required CRA.
- Search and reserve the strongest available name.
- Gather addresses, activity description, ownership and officer information.
- For a company, complete CROS approvals.
- File the business registration or incorporation and pay Registry fees.
- Complete signed-original/certificate steps.
- Secure the records and create the post-registration compliance calendar.
- Complete BIR/PAYE, NIS, VAT and bank preparation where applicable.
- For companies, maintain by-laws/registers and track Annual Return/beneficial ownership obligations.
To begin with professional support, use BizReg Services & Pricing and build the package that matches the registration journey.
Questions people ask
What is the first step to register a business in Trinidad and Tobago?
Choose the structure and prepare the Companies Registry Account required to transact in CROS. For a company, every person engaged in formation needs a CRA.
What are the current sole trader Registry fees?
The Registry currently publishes TT$20 for the individual business-name reservation and TT$220 for the registration application.
What are the current profit-company Registry fees?
The Registry currently publishes TT$25 for company-name reservation and TT$520 for the incorporation application.
How long is an approved name reserved?
The Registry states that an approved business or company name is reserved for 45 days.
Does registration include BIR, PAYE, NIS and a bank account?
No. Those are separate post-registration processes and depend on the structure and activities of the business.
References
Requirements can change. Check these references for current details.
- Companies Registry — CRA Registration
- Registrar General — CROS Registration Advisory
- Companies Registry — Register a Business Name
- Companies Registry — Incorporating a Profit Company
- Companies Registry — CROS Approvals
- Companies Registry — Change of Directors
- Companies Registry — Annual Returns
- IRD — BIR Number
- NIBTT — Employer Obligations