Registration of a Business Name
Under the Business Names Act of 1963 the registration of a business name is obligatory if any individual or partnership (whether individuals or bodies corporate) or any body corporate carries on business under a name other than their own true names without any addition thereto. Registration of a business name is required in the following circumstances:
- Where an individual uses a business name which differs in any way from his/her surname.
- Where a firm or partnership uses a business name which differs in any way from the true names of all partners who are individuals and the corporate names of all partners which are bodies corporate;
- Where a company uses a business name which differs in any way from its full corporate name.
- Where a person having a place of business in the State carries on the business of publishing a newspaper.
More information about registering a business name can be found in the tabs below:
The particulars for registration are required to be furnished within one month of the date of the adoption of the name. If more than one month has elapsed they should be furnished as soon as possible.
The forms of application for registration, which are available from CFI are:
- for an individual – RBN1
- for a partnership – RBN1A
- for a body corporate – RBN1B (being a company formed under the Irish companies Acts)
- for any other body corporate – RBN1C
The following points should be noted with regard to the registration of a business name:
- It does not give protection against duplication of the name;
- It does not imply that the name will necessarily prove acceptable subsequently as a company name;
- It does not authorise the use of the name if its use could be prohibited for other reasons. It should not for instance be taken as an indication that no rights (e.g. Trade Marks rights) exist in the
- No comparison is made by the Registrar with the Trade Marks Index nor the Company Index or Business Names It is advisable, therefore, to investigate the possibility of others having rights in the name which is proposed to use before incurring expenditure on business stationery etc. If you telephone me I can check the Company Index and the Business Names Index on our CFI database.
- Certificate of Registration
- The Registrar issues a Certificate of Registration for each business name registered.
- A Copy of the Certificate of Registration must be exhibited in a conspicuous position.
- In the case of a firm or individual at the principle place of business and in every branch office or place where business is normally carried on:
- In the case of a body corporate at its registered or principal office
- In the State and in every branch office or place where business is normally carried on.
Once a business name has been registered any letterheads, stationery, cheques etc. must show both the proprietor of the business name, i.e. the individual, partnership or company, and the business name itself. This is normally done along the following lines “Joe Bloggs t/a Dublin Engineering Co.” The business name itself would appear in large type at the top of the letterhead, along with all the other usual information such as address and telephone number. And the proprietors name would appear at the bottom in small type.
Should you wish us to complete the registration on your behalf, please confirm the relevant details for the type of business name you wish to register.
- Business Name to be Registered
- Principal Place of Business
- Business Activities
- Name of Body Corporate Owning the business name
- Company Number of Body Corporate (if available)
- Name of person authorised to sign the application on behalf of the Body Corporate.