{
 "version": "2026-11-07",
 "updated": "2026-11-07",
 "general_info": {
  "en": "This is general information to help you choose, not legal advice. For your situation, ask CRIPC or a lawyer.",
  "ny": "Izi ndi zambiri zokuthandizani kusankha, osati malangizo a zamalamulo. Pa nkhani yanu, funsani CRIPC kapena loya."
 },
 "questions": [
  {
   "id": "owners",
   "text": {
    "en": "How many people will own the business?",
    "ny": "Ndi anthu angati amene adzakhale eni bizinesi?"
   },
   "options": [
    {
     "value": "one",
     "label": {
      "en": "Just me",
      "ny": "Ine ndekha"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 3,
      "partnership": -5,
      "company": 1
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "two_twenty",
     "label": {
      "en": "2 to 20 people",
      "ny": "Anthu 2 mpaka 20"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": -5,
      "partnership": 3,
      "company": 2
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "more",
     "label": {
      "en": "More than 20 people",
      "ny": "Anthu oposa 20"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": -5,
      "partnership": -5,
      "company": 4
     }
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "liability",
   "text": {
    "en": "Do you want the business to be legally separate from you, so its debts are not your personal debts?",
    "ny": "Kodi mukufuna kuti bizinesi ikhale yosiyana ndi inu mwalamulo, kuti ngongole zake zisakhale zanu?"
   },
   "options": [
    {
     "value": "yes",
     "label": {
      "en": "Yes, that matters to me",
      "ny": "Inde, zimenezo ndi zofunika kwa ine"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": -2,
      "partnership": -2,
      "company": 3
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "no",
     "label": {
      "en": "Not important for now",
      "ny": "Sizofunika pakali pano"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 1,
      "partnership": 1,
      "company": 0
     }
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "investors",
   "text": {
    "en": "Will you bring in investors or shareholders?",
    "ny": "Kodi mudzalandira oika ndalama kapena eni magawo?"
   },
   "options": [
    {
     "value": "yes",
     "label": {
      "en": "Yes, or maybe later",
      "ny": "Inde, kapena mtsogolo"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": -2,
      "partnership": 0,
      "company": 3
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "no",
     "label": {
      "en": "No",
      "ny": "Ayi"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 1,
      "partnership": 1,
      "company": 0
     }
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "budget",
   "text": {
    "en": "How much can you spend on the registration fee?",
    "ny": "Mungathe kulipira ndalama zingati polembetsa?"
   },
   "options": [
    {
     "value": "low",
     "label": {
      "en": "Under K75,000",
      "ny": "Zochepera K75,000"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 2,
      "partnership": 2,
      "company": -3
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "high",
     "label": {
      "en": "K75,000 or more",
      "ny": "K75,000 kapena kuposera"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 0,
      "partnership": 0,
      "company": 1
     }
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "paperwork",
   "text": {
    "en": "Are you ready for more paperwork: shareholder and director details, a statement of capital, and annual returns every year?",
    "ny": "Kodi mwakonzeka mapepala ambiri: zambiri za eni magawo ndi otsogolera, chikalata cha chuma, ndi annual returns chaka chilichonse?"
   },
   "options": [
    {
     "value": "yes",
     "label": {
      "en": "Yes",
      "ny": "Inde"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 0,
      "partnership": 0,
      "company": 2
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "no",
     "label": {
      "en": "I want it simple",
      "ny": "Ndikufuna zosavuta"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 2,
      "partnership": 1,
      "company": -2
     }
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "stage",
   "text": {
    "en": "Where is your business now?",
    "ny": "Bizinesi yanu ili pati pakali pano?"
   },
   "options": [
    {
     "value": "testing",
     "label": {
      "en": "Small or still testing the idea",
      "ny": "Yaing'ono kapena ndikuyesabe"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": 2,
      "partnership": 1,
      "company": -1
     }
    },
    {
     "value": "growing",
     "label": {
      "en": "Growing, with plans to hire or sign big contracts",
      "ny": "Ikukula, ndikufuna kulemba antchito kapena mapangano akuluakulu"
     },
     "score": {
      "sole": -1,
      "partnership": 0,
      "company": 2
     }
    }
   ]
  }
 ],
 "structures": {
  "sole": {
   "name": {
    "en": "Business name: sole proprietor",
    "ny": "Dzina la bizinesi: mwini m'modzi"
   },
   "service": "business-name",
   "variant": "sole",
   "summary": {
    "en": "You trade alone under a registered business name.",
    "ny": "Mumachita malonda nokha pansi pa dzina lolembetsedwa."
   },
   "pros": [
    {
     "en": "Lowest fee on CRIPC's site",
     "ny": "Malipiro otsika kwambiri pa tsamba la CRIPC"
    },
    {
     "en": "Fewest details to enter: only you",
     "ny": "Zambiri zochepa zolemba: inu nokha"
    },
    {
     "en": "Done fully online on MBRS",
     "ny": "Kumachitika pa intaneti kokha pa MBRS"
    }
   ],
   "cons": [
    {
     "en": "In general, a business name is not a separate legal person: you are personally responsible for the business's debts",
     "ny": "Kawirikawiri, dzina la bizinesi silikhala munthu wosiyana mwalamulo: inu nokha muli ndi udindo pa ngongole za bizinesi"
    },
    {
     "en": "You need a TPIN from MRA before you register",
     "ny": "Mufunika TPIN ya MRA musanalembetse"
    },
    {
     "en": "Harder to bring in investors",
     "ny": "Zovuta kulandira oika ndalama"
    }
   ]
  },
  "partnership": {
   "name": {
    "en": "Business name: partnership",
    "ny": "Dzina la bizinesi: mgwirizano"
   },
   "service": "business-name",
   "variant": "partnership",
   "summary": {
    "en": "2 to 20 partners trade together under a registered business name.",
    "ny": "Anthu 2 mpaka 20 amachita malonda pamodzi pansi pa dzina lolembetsedwa."
   },
   "pros": [
    {
     "en": "Low fee (higher if you attach a partnership agreement)",
     "ny": "Malipiro otsika (okwera pang'ono mukaphatikiza chikalata cha mgwirizano)"
    },
    {
     "en": "Share the work, skills and costs",
     "ny": "Kugawana ntchito, luso ndi ndalama"
    },
    {
     "en": "Done fully online on MBRS",
     "ny": "Kumachitika pa intaneti kokha pa MBRS"
    }
   ],
   "cons": [
    {
     "en": "In general, partners are personally responsible for the business's debts",
     "ny": "Kawirikawiri, ochita mgwirizano ali ndi udindo pa ngongole za bizinesi"
    },
    {
     "en": "TPIN needed for one or each partner",
     "ny": "TPIN ikufunika ya m'modzi kapena aliyense"
    },
    {
     "en": "A written partnership agreement is strongly advisable (not required)",
     "ny": "Chikalata cholembedwa cha mgwirizano ndi chabwino (sichokakamizidwa)"
    }
   ]
  },
  "company": {
   "name": {
    "en": "Private limited company",
    "ny": "Kampani ya private limited"
   },
   "service": "company",
   "variant": "private",
   "summary": {
    "en": "A company owned by 1 to 50 shareholders and run by at least one director.",
    "ny": "Kampani ya eni magawo 1 mpaka 50 yoyendetsedwa ndi wotsogolera m'modzi kapena kuposera."
   },
   "pros": [
    {
     "en": "In general, a company is a separate legal person: shareholders' risk is limited to their shares",
     "ny": "Kawirikawiri, kampani ndi munthu wosiyana mwalamulo: chiopsezo cha eni magawo chimakhala pa magawo awo"
    },
    {
     "en": "Easier to bring in shareholders (1 to 50)",
     "ny": "Zosavuta kulandira eni magawo (1 mpaka 50)"
    },
    {
     "en": "A single member company is possible if you are alone",
     "ny": "Kampani ya munthu m'modzi ilipo ngati muli nokha"
    }
   ],
   "cons": [
    {
     "en": "Higher fee",
     "ny": "Malipiro okwera"
    },
    {
     "en": "More documents: Memorandum and Articles of Association and a statement of capital",
     "ny": "Zikalata zambiri: Memorandum and Articles of Association ndi chikalata cha chuma"
    },
    {
     "en": "Must file annual returns and keep company records",
     "ny": "Muyenera kupereka annual returns ndi kusunga zolemba za kampani"
    }
   ]
  }
 },
 "name_parts": {
  "suffix_business": [
   "Enterprises",
   "Trading",
   "Supplies",
   "Services",
   "Ventures",
   "Investments",
   "General Dealers",
   "Solutions"
  ],
  "suffix_company": [
   "Limited",
   "Ltd"
  ],
  "chichewa": [
   "Tiyamike",
   "Chikondi",
   "Mtendere",
   "Dalitso",
   "Tsogolo",
   "Chuma",
   "Kuunika",
   "Umodzi"
  ]
 },
 "name_search": {
  "text": {
   "en": "CRIPC's site links 'Public Search' to mbrs.gov.mw/search. Only an MBRS name search confirms that a name is available.",
   "ny": "Tsamba la CRIPC limalumikiza 'Public Search' ku mbrs.gov.mw/search. Kufufuza dzina pa MBRS kokha ndi komwe kumatsimikizira kuti dzina lilipo."
  },
  "url": "https://mbrs.gov.mw/search",
  "source_url": "https://registrargeneral.gov.mw/",
  "source_title": "CRIPC home page (former Registrar General's Department)",
  "verified_date": "2026-11-07",
  "status": "unverified"
 },
 "walkthrough": [
  {
   "id": "tpin",
   "title": {
    "en": "Get your TPIN from MRA (free)",
    "ny": "Tengani TPIN ku MRA (kwaulere)"
   },
   "see": {
    "en": "MRA's Msonkho Online: 'TIN Application', then 'Register Now'.",
    "ny": "Msonkho Online ya MRA: 'TIN Application', kenako 'Register Now'."
   },
   "enter": {
    "en": "Your email, a password, then your personal, contact, address, ID and occupation details.",
    "ny": "Imelo, mawu achinsinsi, kenako zambiri zanu, njira zokufikirani, adilesi, chiphaso ndi ntchito."
   },
   "mistakes": [
    {
     "en": "Using an email address you can't open: MRA sends a confirmation link.",
     "ny": "Kugwiritsa ntchito imelo yomwe simungatsegule: MRA imatumiza ulalo wotsimikizira."
    }
   ],
   "fees": [
    "mra.tpin"
   ],
   "fact": "mra.online",
   "applies": [
    "sole",
    "partnership",
    "company"
   ],
   "link": "https://www.mra.mw/"
  },
  {
   "id": "account",
   "title": {
    "en": "Create your MBRS account",
    "ny": "Tsegulani akaunti ya MBRS"
   },
   "see": {
    "en": "A sign-up form asking for your identity document and email.",
    "ny": "Fomu yolembetsa yofunsa chikalata chanu ndi imelo."
   },
   "enter": {
    "en": "National ID (citizens), Foreign Resident Permit (residents) or passport (visitors), and an email address you use.",
    "ny": "Chiphaso (nzika), Foreign Resident Permit (okhala kuno) kapena pasipoti (alendo), ndi imelo yomwe mumagwiritsa ntchito."
   },
   "mistakes": [
    {
     "en": "Typing your names differently from your National ID.",
     "ny": "Kulemba mayina mosiyana ndi a pa chiphaso."
    }
   ],
   "fees": [],
   "requirement": "cripc.account",
   "applies": [
    "sole",
    "partnership",
    "company"
   ],
   "link": "https://accounts.mbrs.gov.mw/auth/registration"
  },
  {
   "id": "name",
   "title": {
    "en": "Choose and check your name",
    "ny": "Sankhani ndi kufufuza dzina"
   },
   "see": {
    "en": "A name search box.",
    "ny": "Bokosi lofufuzira dzina."
   },
   "enter": {
    "en": "Your first-choice name, then your alternatives if it is taken.",
    "ny": "Dzina lanu loyamba, kenako ena ngati latengedwa."
   },
   "mistakes": [
    {
     "en": "A name similar to an existing business, company, trust or trademark.",
     "ny": "Dzina lofanana ndi bizinesi, kampani, trust kapena chizindikiro chomwe chilipo."
    },
    {
     "en": "For a partnership: using partners' personal names, or 'Limited'.",
     "ny": "Pa mgwirizano: kugwiritsa ntchito mayina a anthu, kapena 'Limited'."
    },
    {
     "en": "For a company: forgetting to end the name with 'Limited' or 'Ltd'.",
     "ny": "Pa kampani: kuiwala kumaliza dzina ndi 'Limited' kapena 'Ltd'."
    }
   ],
   "fees": [],
   "requirement": "cripc.name",
   "applies": [
    "sole",
    "partnership",
    "company"
   ],
   "link": "https://mbrs.gov.mw/search"
  },
  {
   "id": "form",
   "title": {
    "en": "Fill in the application",
    "ny": "Dzazani pempho"
   },
   "see": {
    "en": "The application form for your business type.",
    "ny": "Fomu ya pempho ya mtundu wa bizinesi yanu."
   },
   "enter": {
    "en": "Business address and activities; partners' or shareholders' and directors' details; for a company, the Memorandum and Articles and the statement of capital.",
    "ny": "Adilesi ndi ntchito za bizinesi; zambiri za ochita mgwirizano kapena eni magawo ndi otsogolera; pa kampani, Memorandum and Articles ndi chikalata cha chuma."
   },
   "mistakes": [
    {
     "en": "Leaving out a partner's TPIN, or a director who is a real person.",
     "ny": "Kusiya TPIN ya wochita mgwirizano, kapena wotsogolera yemwe ndi munthu weniweni."
    }
   ],
   "fees": [],
   "requirement": "cripc.address",
   "applies": [
    "sole",
    "partnership",
    "company"
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "sign_pay",
   "title": {
    "en": "Sign and pay online",
    "ny": "Sainani ndi kulipira pa intaneti"
   },
   "see": {
    "en": "A signature step and a payment page.",
    "ny": "Gawo losaina ndi tsamba lolipira."
   },
   "enter": {
    "en": "Your online signature (every applicant signs), then mobile money, a debit or credit card, or online banking.",
    "ny": "Siginecha yanu ya pa intaneti (wofunsira aliyense amasaina), kenako mobile money, khadi la debit kapena credit, kapena banki ya pa intaneti."
   },
   "mistakes": [
    {
     "en": "Paying anyone outside MBRS: pay only through the portal and keep the receipt.",
     "ny": "Kulipira wina aliyense kunja kwa MBRS: lipirani pa tsambali kokha ndipo sungani lisiti."
    }
   ],
   "fees": [
    "cripc.sole",
    "cripc.partnership",
    "cripc.private"
   ],
   "fact": "cripc.pay",
   "applies": [
    "sole",
    "partnership",
    "company"
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "certificate",
   "title": {
    "en": "Get your certificate",
    "ny": "Landirani satifiketi"
   },
   "see": {
    "en": "Email and SMS updates, then your result as a PDF.",
    "ny": "Mauthenga a imelo ndi SMS, kenako zotsatira ngati PDF."
   },
   "enter": {
    "en": "Nothing: download and keep the PDF safe.",
    "ny": "Palibe: tsitsani ndi kusunga PDF bwino."
   },
   "mistakes": [
    {
     "en": "Not checking the details on the certificate straight away.",
     "ny": "Kusayang'ana zambiri za pa satifiketi nthawi yomweyo."
    }
   ],
   "fees": [],
   "fact": "cripc.updates",
   "applies": [
    "sole",
    "partnership",
    "company"
   ]
  }
 ],
 "compliance": {
  "annual_returns": {
   "text": {
    "en": "Companies must file annual returns with the Registrar, keep accurate records, pay taxes through MRA, and update MBRS when details change.",
    "ny": "Makampani ayenera kupereka annual returns kwa Registrar, kusunga zolemba bwino, kulipira msonkho kudzera ku MRA, ndi kusintha MBRS zinthu zikasintha."
   },
   "note": {
    "en": "CRIPC does not publish the annual return deadline or fee on its site. Check the due date in your MBRS account.",
    "ny": "CRIPC sinafalitse tsiku lomaliza kapena malipiro a annual return pa tsamba lake. Onani tsikulo mu akaunti yanu ya MBRS."
   },
   "source_url": "https://registrargeneral.gov.mw/services",
   "source_title": "Services, Companies, Registrations and Intellectual Property Centre (CRIPC)",
   "verified_date": "2026-11-07",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  "business_names": {
   "text": {
    "en": "Partnerships declare and pay taxes through MRA, update MBRS through amendments, and renew licences or permits as required.",
    "ny": "Mgwirizano umapereka ndi kulipira msonkho kudzera ku MRA, kusintha MBRS kudzera mu amendments, ndi kukonzanso ma laisensi kapena ma permit ngati kukufunika."
   },
   "note": {
    "en": "CRIPC does not publish a renewal period for business names. Check your MBRS account.",
    "ny": "CRIPC sinafalitse nthawi yokonzanso mayina a bizinesi. Onani akaunti yanu ya MBRS."
   },
   "source_url": "https://registrargeneral.gov.mw/services",
   "source_title": "Services, Companies, Registrations and Intellectual Property Centre (CRIPC)",
   "verified_date": "2026-11-07",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  "beneficial_owners": {
   "text": {
    "en": "Updating beneficial owner details is a listed amendment for companies; companies limited by guarantee must give beneficial ownership information when registering.",
    "ny": "Kusintha zambiri za eni enieni ndi amendment yolembedwa kwa makampani; makampani a limited by guarantee ayenera kupereka zambiri za eni enieni polembetsa."
   },
   "source_url": "https://registrargeneral.gov.mw/services",
   "source_title": "Services, Companies, Registrations and Intellectual Property Centre (CRIPC)",
   "verified_date": "2026-11-07",
   "status": "verified"
  }
 }
}