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.
BBC News - Companies
The latest stories from the Companies section of the
BBC News web site.
FSA tightens bankers' pay rules
The Financial Services Authority announces plans to update its guidelines on bankers' pay, affecting 2,500 firms Shell sees profits almost double
Second-quarter profits at oil giant Royal Dutch Shell almost double after it completes a year-long restructuring programme. BSkyB profits on high definition
Satellite TV group BSkyB reports a sharp jump in profits, driven by new subscriptions, particularly for high definition services. Gambling firms reveal merger plan
The UK's Partygaming and Austrian firm Bwin unveil plans to merge and create the world's largest online gaming business. Results boost AstraZeneca shares
Shares in AstraZeneca rise more than 4% after the drug company reports a rise in profits after strong sales of key drugs. China agrees Guinea mining deal
Mining giant Rio Tinto completes a deal with Chinese firm Chalco to enter a joint venture in West Africa. Lufthansa hurt by ash and strike
Lufthansa Group reports a net loss after disruption caused by the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano and a pilots' strike. BT profit up despite revenue fall
BT reports what it describes as "acceptable" quarterly results, with profits sharply higher despite a fall in revenue. Russia in $30bn asset sale plan
Russia announces plans for its biggest privatisation since the 1990s - which it hopes will raise about $30bn. Profits rise 98% at British Gas
British Gas profits almost double as the energy supplier benefits from rising customer numbers and last winter's cold weather.