Company Name Search

Every UK company name has to be unique, and it is important to check that the preferred choice which a person wishes to use for a new business has not already been taken by someone else. A name search is usually the first stage in the process when registering a UK company.

Whilst there are many company name searches available, the Companies House service supplies the only definitive list and its database is generally both more up to date and accurate.

Greater reliance can therefore be placed up on the results achieved from this particular database check. Most other third party searches reference this set of data in order to display their conclusions as to which names are and are not available.

The Companies House Web Check contains the list of all UK company names, both those which are already registered and those which are at some stage of becoming so.

The online checking service is available Monday to Saturday 7am to 12 am.

Free Checks and Searches

Most name checks for UK businesses are provided by company formation agents and are available free without limitation or restrictions. Once the results of the search are displayed and if the visitor chooses, they can usually continue to register the company with that particular incorporation agent.

This of course would depend on several factors including: whether the agent offers a suitable package which meets the customer's requirements and at what stage the purchaser is in terms of wanting to set-up a limited company.

A typical search will insist that "limited" is added to the end of the company name as this is required by law except in a few cases where an entity will be limited by guarantee and chooses not to include the word.

On the basis that a selected name is shown being available, it can then be selected and attached to the company registration application.

Whilst the majority of company formations are for the purposes of acquiring a trading vehicle, in some circumstances, a person may do so for the purposes of preventing others from using that title.

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