Check Singapore Company Name Availability: Free ACRA Search
Naming your business is one of the crucial steps when you are starting a new business, and can be challenging sometimes. A good business name actually helps your customers to remember your business and services, spells the value, and conveys the brand message of your business. Use our Singapore Company Name Checker to check Singapore company name availability today.
However, picking a business name and checking Singapore company name availability has become a weighty task in this modern era when more and more companies have their own websites, which means you need to consider the availability of domain name when you are deciding the business name.
Before filing with ACRA, use our free Singapore company name check tool to instantly verify whether your preferred name is available, compliant with ACRA name guidelines, and not identical or too similar to an existing registered business. This ACRA company name check takes seconds and saves you from costly rejections.
Before your company name can be approved by ACRA, here are some important guidelines to consider:
- The name must not be identical to an existing business in Singapore.
- It should not infringe on any trademarks or contain offensive language.
Key points for the name approval process:
- If the name follows the guidelines, approval usually happens within minutes.
- Certain business activities may require additional review by government agencies, especially if the name includes regulated terms like “finance,” “legal,” “law,” “broker,” or “school.” This may cause some delay.
- Once approved, the name can be reserved for up to 120 days.
How to Check a Company Name in Singapore
Checking your Singapore company name availability before submitting to ACRA is a simple 5-step process.
Step 1: Search Your Proposed Company Name
Enter your proposed company name into 3E Accounting’s free name checker tool above or visit ACRA’s BizFile+ portal at bizfile.gov.sg.
Step 2: Check for Similar Existing Names
Review the search results carefully. If the proposed name is identical or too similar to an existing registered business, you will need to choose a different name before proceeding.
Step 3: Avoid Restricted or Regulated Words
Ensure the company name does not contain regulated terms such as “bank,” “finance,” “law,” “insurance,” “school,” or “university,” as these may require approval from the relevant government authorities before registration.
Step 4: Reserve the Company Name
Once your preferred name is confirmed as available, submit a name reservation application to ACRA and pay the S$15 reservation fee. Your chosen name is then reserved for 120 days while you prepare your incorporation documents.
Step 5: Proceed With Company Incorporation
After securing the approved company name, you can proceed with the company incorporation process through the BizFile+ portal or via a professional corporate service provider.
What Are The Company Names That ACRA Will Reject?
Understanding which names ACRA rejects helps you choose wisely from the start. ACRA will reject a proposed company name that falls into any of the following categories.
- Identical to existing business: Same as an already registered company or business name in Singapore.
- Too similar to existing business: Minor spelling or wording differences that may create confusion.
- Offensive or obscene: Contains vulgar, rude, or inappropriate words.
- Restricted words without approval: Includes terms like “Bank,” “Finance,” “Law,” or “Insurance” without authority approval.
- Protected names: Similar to government bodies, statutory boards, or protected terms like “Temasek.”
- Prohibited under Singapore law: Names restricted by the Minister of Finance or other regulations.
