Name Availability Check
/neɪm əˌveɪləˈbɪləti tʃek/
A name availability check is a search process to determine whether a proposed business name is available for registration with the relevant company registry.
A name availability check is a search process to determine whether a proposed business name is available for registration with the relevant company registry.
A name availability check helps you confirm that your desired business name isn't already registered or too similar to existing companies.
This prevents legal conflicts and ensures your registration application won't be rejected due to name conflicts.
You search the relevant company registry's database using your proposed business name or variations of it.
The system will show you existing companies with similar names, allowing you to assess whether your chosen name is likely to be accepted.
You should conduct a name availability check before investing time and money in branding, marketing materials, or domain names.
It's best to do this early in your business planning process, ideally before finalising your business plan.
If similar names already exist, you'll need to modify your proposed name to make it sufficiently different.
Consider changing words, adding descriptive terms, or restructuring the name entirely whilst maintaining your brand identity.
Name availability checks might reveal dormant companies, dissolved businesses that still hold name reservations, or companies with similar names in different industries.
Some registries also protect certain words or phrases that require special approval.
Most online name availability checks provide instant results through the registry's website.
However, complex searches or those requiring manual review by registry staff might take several business days to complete.
Once you've confirmed your name is available, move quickly to reserve it through the formal registration process.
Popular names can be claimed by other businesses, so prompt action helps secure your preferred choice.
