How to Register your Business Name with National Business Register

1. Decide on the Legal Format of Your Business

You may wish to seek help from a solicitor, bank manager or accountant, your Local Enterprise Agency or Chamber of Commerce to decide on the appropriate legal format for your business. Each type has different implications for financial liability, taxation, record keeping, etc. and each can give rise to different obligations under the Business Names Act.

2. Choose the Name for Your Business

It is important to choose the right name for your business and to ensure that it is not unlawful and does not contain certain words and descriptions that are restricted. There are many different words and expressions that are affected in this way. The Register will advise you if your name contains any such restriction and will either obtain permission from the Secretary of State or elsewhere on your behalf or assist you in choosing an alternative name at no extra charge. See details of restricted words, and expressions.

3. Complete the Business Name Application Form or Register Online

When you have decided on the legal type of the business and what its name will be, either apply online or download a Business Name Application Form (pdf format - 957KB). Post the completed form to:
National Business Register Plc
Somerset House
6070 Birmingham Business Park
B37 7BF

Eenclosing a cheque (payable to National Business Register) for your membership and registration fee plus the cost of any other services required.

You can do an online search to see if the name you want is available for use before you complete an application form.

4. Registration of Membership by the National Business Register

On receipt of your application, we will check that your name is legal (advising where changes are necessary) and search all business and company names databases (plus Trade Marks if requested). Once we are satisfied that your name can be used and that it does not conflict with an existing name, we will add it to The National Business Register database and prepare your certificate. This confirms the name that we will protect against "passing-off" and, when displayed, it will meet all the display requirements of the Business Names Act.

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Your Business Name Search for a Name How To Register » Apply online Registration Info Name Protection Legal & Tax Advice Restricted Words FAQs Novel Names Business Tips Renewals Print Page	How to Register your Business Name with National Business Register 1. Decide on the Legal Format of Your Business You may wish to seek help from a solicitor, bank manager or accountant, your Local Enterprise Agency or Chamber of Commerce to decide on the appropriate legal format for your business. Each type has different implications for financial liability, taxation, record keeping, etc. and each can give rise to different obligations under the Business Names Act. 2. Choose the Name for Your Business It is important to choose the right name for your business and to ensure that it is not unlawful and does not contain certain words and descriptions that are restricted. There are many different words and expressions that are affected in this way. The Register will advise you if your name contains any such restriction and will either obtain permission from the Secretary of State or elsewhere on your behalf or assist you in choosing an alternative name at no extra charge. See details of restricted words, and expressions. 3. Complete the Business Name Application Form or Register Online When you have decided on the legal type of the business and what its name will be, either apply online or download a Business Name Application Form (pdf format - 957KB). Post the completed form to: National Business Register Plc Somerset House 6070 Birmingham Business Park B37 7BF Eenclosing a cheque (payable to National Business Register) for your membership and registration fee plus the cost of any other services required. You can do an online search to see if the name you want is available for use before you complete an application form. 4. Registration of Membership by the National Business Register On receipt of your application, we will check that your name is legal (advising where changes are necessary) and search all business and company names databases (plus Trade Marks if requested). Once we are satisfied that your name can be used and that it does not conflict with an existing name, we will add it to The National Business Register database and prepare your certificate. This confirms the name that we will protect against "passing-off" and, when displayed, it will meet all the display requirements of the Business Names Act.