| By Chandraketu Tripathi | Updated April 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Registering a company name in the UK means incorporating a limited company with Companies House — the process is entirely online, takes about 15 minutes, and costs as little as £12. Your company name is then legally protected: no other company can register an identical name. This guide walks through every step — from checking availability to receiving your certificate of incorporation. | ||||||||||||||||||
Key Facts Registration cost: £12 (standard, 24hr) or £50 (same-day) | Register at: companies.service.gov.uk | Check availability: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk | Time to incorporate: 24 hours standard | ||||||||||||||||||
Step 1: Check Your Company Name Is Available | ||||||||||||||||||
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Company Name Rules: What's Allowed and What Isn't | ||||||||||||||||||
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Step 2: Register Online with Companies House | ||||||||||||||||||
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Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Do You Need to Register? | ||||||||||||||||||
| If you operate as a sole trader, you do not need to register a company name with Companies House. You register as self-employed with HMRC and can trade under any name (following naming rules). However, your name is not legally protected — another sole trader or company could use the same trading name. Incorporating as a limited company gives your name legal protection, limits your personal liability, and can make you appear more credible to clients and suppliers. | ||||||||||||||||||
What You Get When You Register | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 💡 Protect your name further: After registering with Companies House, consider registering a trade mark with the Intellectual Property Office (ipo.gov.uk) — from £170. This gives you UK-wide protection against any business using your brand name or logo, not just other registered companies. | ||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I register a company name in the UK? To register a company name in the UK, you must incorporate a limited company with Companies House. You can do this online at companies.service.gov.uk for £50 (same-day) or £12 (standard, processed within 24 hours). You'll need a company name, registered address, at least one director, at least one shareholder, and a SIC code describing your business activity. How do I check if a company name is available UK? Check company name availability free at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk — search for your proposed name to see if it's already registered. Also check: the Intellectual Property Office (ipo.gov.uk) for trade mark conflicts, that your name doesn't contain sensitive words requiring approval (e.g. 'Bank', 'Royal', 'NHS'), and that your preferred domain name is available. How much does it cost to register a company name UK? Registering a company with Companies House costs £12 for the standard online service (typically processed within 24 hours) or £50 for the same-day service. Paper applications cost £71. There is no separate fee just to register a company name — the registration fee covers the full company incorporation including your chosen name. Can I register a business name without forming a limited company? Yes — sole traders and partnerships can register a trading name (also called a business name) without incorporating a company. You do not need to register with Companies House. However, you must register as self-employed with HMRC and follow business naming rules. A trading name does not provide the same legal protection as a registered limited company name. What company names are not allowed in the UK? Company names cannot: be identical or too similar to an existing registered name, contain offensive words, suggest a connection with the government or royalty without permission, include sensitive words ('Bank', 'Insurance', 'Royal', 'NHS', 'University') without approval from the relevant authority, or end in anything other than 'Limited', 'Ltd', 'LLP', 'PLC' etc. as appropriate for the company type. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Disclaimer: Prices and rules change — always verify with NHSBSA, GOV.UK, HMRC, and Companies House. Sources: nhs.uk, nhsbsa.nhs.uk, gov.uk, cpe.org.uk, Pharmaceutical Journal, Community Pharmacy England, myiva.co, DS Burge. April 2026. |
How to Register a Company Name UK 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
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