Reserve your name before you file. A reservation holds the name while your documents are prepared, and confirms that we will accept it.
How long a reservation lasts
A name may be reserved not more than three months before the application to register, for a period not exceeding three months from the date of reservation.
The same three month rule applies across the forms: companies under section 6A of the Companies Act 1981, limited liability companies under sections 7(2) and 30(5) of the Limited Liability Company Act 2016, exempted partnerships under section 7A of the Exempted Partnerships Act 1992, and limited partnerships under section 6(2) of the Limited Partnership Act 1883.
For an LLC the reservation comes first
An authorized person must reserve the name before the certificate of formation is filed.
Names we will refuse
We may refuse to reserve or register a name that is undesirable, or that is identical or deceptively similar to a name already on the register.
Name endings are set by the form you are registering.
| Company limited by shares or guarantee | Must end in “Limited”, or the abbreviation “Ltd.” |
| Guarantee company licensed under section 9 | May omit “Limited” where the Minister so licenses |
| Unlimited liability company | No “Limited” requirement |
| Limited liability company | Ends in “LLC” |
| Limited partnership | Must end in “Limited Partnership” or “L.P.” |
| Segregated accounts company | Includes “(SAC)” where we so direct |
| ISAC and its accounts | Include “ISAC” and “ISA” respectively |
Secondary names
A company may have a secondary name, which is stated in the memorandum. Where there is one, the certificate of incorporation is issued in the form that records it.
Fees
| Name reservation fee | to confirm |
Fees are prescribed by the Government Fees Regulations 1976 and are paid through the online register.
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