To check a proposed Singapore company name, search current entity and reserved-name records in Bizfile, review ACRA's naming restrictions, and then submit a name application through Bizfile. A clear preliminary search is not approval. Approval and reservation do not register the company or create trade-mark, domain or social-account rights.

1. Prepare the exact proposed name

Record the preferred name without a legal suffix such as "Pte Ltd", following ACRA's current Bizfile instructions. Keep the intended entity type and suffix as a separate field, and add two or three real name alternatives. Identify:

  • words describing the business activity;
  • names of existing companies, brands, founders or public bodies that inspired it;
  • regulated, protected or sensitive terms;
  • abbreviations and common misspellings;
  • the intended website, product and trading names.

Do not add a generic word merely to make an otherwise conflicting name look different. ACRA owns the registration decision.

2. Apply ACRA's naming rules before searching

ACRA's current choosing-a-name guidance explains the restrictions that can make a proposed name unavailable, undesirable or subject to referral. Check the live guidance close to the application date.

Record any question involving:

  • an existing or reserved name;
  • an undesirable name;
  • a name whose use is restricted or requires another authority's approval;
  • a name that may imply a regulated activity or government connection;
  • a third party's name or intellectual property.

The search worksheet should cite the current rule instead of replacing it with "the provider said it was fine."

3. Search existing entities and relevant variants

Use Bizfile's current search functions to search the exact proposed name and meaningful variants. Review similar spellings, spacing, singular/plural forms, abbreviations and distinctive words. Open relevant results and compare the legal name, entity type, status and activity rather than relying only on the results list.

Keep a dated record containing the query, search mode, relevant results and why each result may or may not matter. Search results can change, so repeat the check immediately before application.

4. Check reserved names separately

An entity search and a reserved-name search do not answer the same question. Follow ACRA's current Bizfile workflow to identify names that have been approved and reserved but are not yet attached to a registered entity.

If the proposed name appears clear, note only that the searches found no identified conflict at that time. Do not call it "available" without the qualification that ACRA has not yet approved the application.

5. Submit the name application in Bizfile

Use ACRA's current reservation guide for the live application sequence. Prepare the applicant's authority, proposed name, entity type and business activities. Answer referral or supporting-information questions accurately.

Preserve these states separately:

  1. searched;
  2. application submitted;
  3. referred or pending, if applicable;
  4. approved and reserved;
  5. registration application submitted;
  6. entity registered under the name.

ACRA currently states the reservation period and any extension route in the live workflow. Record the expiry shown for the approved application rather than relying on an undated checklist, and assign an owner to submit the registration before it expires.

6. Keep trade marks and digital names separate

Company-name approval does not decide whether using the name infringes another person's rights or whether the business can register a trade mark. Search the current IPOS Digital Hub for relevant marks and take consequential similarity or classification questions to a qualified trade-mark adviser.

Check domains, app stores and social handles as separate commercial workstreams. Buying a domain does not reserve a company name, and company-name approval does not grant the domain.

Worked name-check record

A founder proposes "Northstar Health AI Pte. Ltd." The record should show the exact Bizfile searches and similar entities, the health/AI activities, any regulated-term or referral question, the intended entity type, separate IPOS and domain checks, the person authorized to apply, the application outcome and reservation expiry, and the owner of the company-registration filing. It should not say "name secured" after only buying the domain.

Evidence to keep

  • exact proposed and alternative names;
  • ACRA rule and source-check date;
  • dated entity and reserved-name searches;
  • relevant similar results and unresolved issues;
  • name application, referral material and payment evidence;
  • approval/reservation notice and expiry;
  • separate trade-mark and domain records;
  • company-registration acknowledgement and live entity check.

Use the company setup document checklist to connect the name record to ownership, officers, address, constitution and filing inputs. JurisLane organizes preparation evidence; it does not approve or reserve names, register companies, or provide trade-mark advice.

Sources

Editorial note: This guide supports issue preparation and qualified review. Applicable requirements depend on the facts, entities, markets and current law.