Every company needs a name to distinguish itself from others. In Singapore, registering a company name is mainly divided into the following three steps:
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Select a Company Name
The company name should ideally be suitable for the type of business. After selecting an appropriate company name, be sure to search for it on ACRA’s online information retrieval and filing system (BizFile+) to check if the name is available.
When selecting a company name, you should avoid:
- Names that are identical to other company names.
- Words that are inappropriate, such as those containing vulgar, obscene, or offensive information.
- Company names that are explicitly prohibited by the Singapore government and law, such as Temasek.
Register the Company Name
Before registering a business entity, you must first register the company name through BizFile+.
The application fee for a company name is S$15. Once the application is approved, the name will be reserved for 120 days. If the business is not registered or the company is not incorporated within the 120-day reservation period, the name will no longer be reserved and will be available for public use.
The application for a company name may also be referred to other government agencies for further approval. For example, if the company name contains the word “School,” it will likely be referred to the Ministry of Education for review and approval.
Situations that may involve referral are detailed on the ACRA official website.
Specify the Type of Business Activity
When applying for a name, the company must also specify its primary and secondary business activities. In Singapore, different business activities have corresponding codes, known as the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes. You can look up the SSIC codes for different business activities on the ACRA official website.
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