Company Name Checker for UK Entrepreneurs

1. 

   Choose a company name

   We’ll check company name availability with Companies House in seconds and help you to reserve it.

2. 

   Provide us with the documents

   Once we’ve confirmed your name via the company name checker, send us your documents online. We’ll fill out the application and get it over for you to e-sign.

3. 

   No need to go anywhere

   We do everything remotely: KYC, company registration, and can even provide you with a remote address to use.

4. 

   Get a free bank account

   We’ll connect you to our partner digital bank Cashplus. You can open an account online within 4 minutes!

• Сompany Registration

  We’ll register your company online

  • Ltd registration
  • Bank account opening
  • All documents
  from

  £12+ VAT

  Choose planAll plans

FAQ

• What name can I use for my company?

  Your company name must be completely unique. That means, it can’t be too similar to an existing company name either. Companies House will also require you to end your company name with Limited (or the abbreviated form Ltd).

• How do I check if a business name is available?

  Use our free company name checker to verify your company name is available. There are over 4 million registered companies in the Companies House database, and we'll make sure that you have the unique one.

• Can I register my company name without forming a company?

  Yes, you can. You can set up what’s known as a dormant company. A dormant company doesn’t need to file tax or trade. And you can keep your dormant company even if you plan to carry on as a sole trader.

• What words cannot be used in a company name?

  The UK Government has an exhaustive list of words and terms that require prior approval before being allowed in a company name.

  In general these are words that suggest your business:

  • Is of national importance.
  • Has a special status.
  • Has a particular function.
  • Does a specialised activity.
  • Is connected with government or royalty.

  Furthermore, names that include a word whose use could be an offence are also not allowed. For instance, a term considered hate speech.

• Can I be exempt from using the word “Limited” or “Ltd” in a company name?

  ‘Limited’ (or its abbreviation Ltd) can be omitted from your name in very specific circumstances. These exceptions are outlined in section 60 of the Companies Act 2006.

  Exceptions exist if:

  • Your company is a registered charity or limited by guarantee (as opposed to limited by shares).
  • Your articles of association state that:
    • You promote or regulate commerce, art, science, education, religion, charity, or any profession.
    • Your company s prohibited from paying dividends to shareholders.
    • Your business’s assets will be transferred to another body if the business is wound up.

• What is a business or trading name?

  As a limited company, your business is a separate legal entity. As such, it requires a name. This name is used to identify the business and its directors.

  Your trading name should be visible on all your company communications and any signs you have. In other words, members of the public should be able to find your business on the Comapnies House registry.

• Can two UK companies have the same registered name?

  No, it's impossible. The Companies House set up requirements regarding what names the companies should have. Business names must be unique. Our free company name tool will check if the company name you chose is taken. So you won't waste your time sending applications twice.

• Are there other ways to protect a company name?

  You can file a trade mark. This is done via the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). A trade mark grants you exclusive rights to market or sell goods and services using this trade mark.

  You can also legally prevent others from using the same or similar marks to market their products.

• How does the business name check work?

  You simply type the full business name you want into the search bar. If it is available, the checker will indicate that no such company exists. If the name is taken (or too similar to existing names), the checker will alert you to that, too.

• Can the ltd company name check guarantee if a company name is available?

  The checker will always show if a name is available. What it can’t do, however, is guarantee that the name is acceptable. If for instance, the name contains unacceptable language or a sensitive term it can still be rejected (despite being available).

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