Reserve a name for a company, foundation or partnership

Reserve a name for a company, foundation or partnership

Use this form to reserve a name for: 

• a new entity application (a company, foundation or partnership) 
• a name change of an entity (company, foundation or partnership), confirming when asked that the name is for an existing entity

This form should not be used to register a business name. 

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Check if your name is available

Before deciding on a name for your company, foundation or partnership, you should check our register for any entities with a similar name.

You can also check if the name you would like to reserve is available within the Name Reservation form. Type the name you want to reserve into the 'Proposed Name to Reserve' box, select the legal ending, and click 'Check Name'. Do not enter the legal ending into the free text box.

Your requested name will need to be reviewed. We cannot guarantee that it will be accepted and you may need to change your requested name if it is not suitable.   

For more information, read our guidance.

Suitability of a name  

Once registered, you will have two years to use your reserved name before it is removed from the register.

You can 'save draft' and return to the name reservation form at any time.

Fee

The fee to reserve a name is £10. This fee is non-refundable.

Help filling in the form

Form question	Guidance
Is this name for an existing entity?	Select 'no' if this name reservation is for a new entity. Select 'yes' if it is for a name change of an entity.
What type of registration will be name be used for?	Select the entity type from the list provided (For example, a company)
Proposed name to reserve	This is the name you would like to reserve. You must 'check name' to complete an initial check to see if the name is available. Your requested name will need to be reviewed. We cannot guarantee that it will be accepted and you may need to change your requested name if it is not suitable. Do not type the legal ending in this box.
Legal ending	If you are not sure about the legal endings for your entity, read our guidance on suitability of a name. For example, a private limited company can end in 'limited' 'ltd' 'avec responsabilité limitée' or 'a.r.l'.
Significance of name	If your name is similar to an existing entity, give the name, place of registration and connection. Your name may be rejected if we are unaware of a connection. If significance of name is irrelevant enter "n/a".
Nature of business	Select from the list, the type of trading activity your company will be undertaking. If you are a local business, you can only select number 4, 5 or 6.
Translations	If foreign words are used, provide the English translation.
Attach any documentation that may support your claim to the proposed name	For example, if you have written approval to use a restricted word as set out in our guidance. Suitability of a name