Company Names

Restrictions When Choosing a Company Name

The Registry will ensure that your choice of name is not the same as an existing name and that it does not contain any words which are prescribed by regulations or which are considered to be offensive. In addition, the law requires that all company names must end with an approved suffix, denoting the fact that the company has either "limited" or "unlimited" liability.

To assist the industry a copy of the policies operated by the Commission in considering and approving company and business names is downloadable from this website.

Obtaining Approval for a Company Name

If you are setting up a company for the first time, or changing the name of an existing company, you should first obtain approval of the name from the Companies Registry. You can do this by completing a simple Name Request form and sending it by post or fax to the Registry.

You can also check the availability of proposed company names on our web site and submit an application to reserve a company name by e-mail.

In cases where a company wishes to change its name, the Registry will, on approval of the name, issue a Certificate of Approval of Change of Name. Once the company has received this certificate, it may go ahead with passing the special resolution to change its name.

If you want to save a copy of a document, do not open it. Right click on the name of the document you require and a dialog box will appear which will give you the option to save the target or to print it.

Downloadable Documents