Key takeaways: CAC processes business name registrations in 1-2 business days after submission. Total end-to-end time: 1-3 days (DIY), 3-7 days (agent), or 24-48 hours (Oya Legal). The #1 cause of delays is rejected names. Check availability before applying.

How long does each step take?

Gathering Info and Documents (0-7 days)

If prepared: 10-30 minutes. If not: could take days finding your NIN slip, taking a photo, etc.

Submitting the Application

CAC portal (DIY): 1-3 hours
Through an agent: 1-2 days (back-and-forth communication)
Oya Legal (WhatsApp): ~5 minutes

CAC Processing (1-2 business days)

Same regardless of submission method. During busy periods, may extend to 3-4 days.

Receiving Your Certificate

Available for download immediately upon approval.

How long does business name registration take in total?

Method	Your time	Total
DIY	1-3 hours	1-3 days
Agent	1-5 days	3-7 days
Oya Legal	~5 minutes	24-48 hours

What causes delays in CAC registration?

Rejected name, already taken or too similar (#1 reason)
Blurry documents, CAC can’t read your ID or photo
Name mismatch, ID name doesn’t match the form
Wrong LGA, 774 LGAs in Nigeria, picking the wrong one
Payment issues, failed card or delayed transfer

Each rejection adds another 1-2 business days.

How can I avoid registration delays?

Check name availability before applying
Submit clear document photos
Double-check your LGA
Ensure your ID name matches your registration name

Oya Legal validates everything in real-time during the WhatsApp conversation, catching errors before submission.

Coming soon

How Long Does CAC Business Registration Take?