Singapore is known for its business-friendly environment, attracting entrepreneurs from around the world to set up their companies in the country. However, one of the most critical initial steps in setting up a company in Singapore is getting your company name approved. In this article, we will explore the guidelines for Singapore company name approval, including the procedure for approval, checking for availability, tips for successful approval, and changing the name of an existing company.
Guidelines for Singapore Company Name Approval
Singapore’s regulatory organization, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), is in charge of authorizing company names. ACRA has strict guidelines for company name approval to ensure that company names are distinctive, unique, and not misleading.
The following are the guidelines for Singapore company name approval:
- Distinctiveness: Your company name must be unique and not similar to any existing company name or trademark in Singapore. It should also not be offensive or obscene.
- Relevance: Your company name should be relevant to your company’s business activities and not misleading to the public.
- Uniqueness: Your company name should not be too generic or descriptive. It should be distinctive and memorable.
- Length: Your company name should be no longer than 60 characters, including spaces.
- Ending: Your company name must end with “Pte Ltd” for private limited companies, “Ltd” for public limited companies, or “LLP” for limited liability partnerships.
Checking for Availability of a Company Name in Singapore
Before submitting your company name for approval, you must ensure that the name is available for use. You can check the availability of a company name in Singapore through the ACRA website’s BizFile+ portal. The portal allows you to search for available company names and reserve a name for up to 120 days.
Tips for Successful Approval of Your Company Name
To increase your chances of getting your company name approved, you should follow these tips:
- Be creative and choose a unique name that reflects your business activities.
- Avoid using generic or descriptive names that are too common and may be rejected.
- Conduct thorough research to ensure that your company name is not already in use or similar to an existing company name or trademark in Singapore.
- Use proper grammar and avoid using abbreviations or acronyms in your company name.
- Ensure that your company name is not misleading or offensive to the public.
Procedure for Singapore Company Name Approval
To get your company name approved in Singapore, you must follow these procedures:
- Choose a unique and appropriate name for your company.
- Check the availability of your chosen company name through the ACRA website’s BizFile+ portal.
- Submit your company name for approval through the BizFile+ portal. You will need to provide your proposed company name, business activities, and other relevant information.
- Wait for ACRA to review your application and approve or reject your proposed company name.
- If your company name is approved, you can proceed with registering your company with ACRA.
Changing the Name of an Existing Company in Singapore
If you already have an existing company in Singapore and wish to change its name, you must follow these procedures:
- Choose a new company name that meets the guidelines for Singapore company name approval.
- Check the availability of your new company name through the ACRA website’s BizFile+ portal.
- Submit an application to ACRA to change your company name. You will need to provide your existing company name, your new company name, and other relevant information.
- Wait for ACRA to review your application and approve or reject your proposed new company name.
- If your new company name is approved, you must update your company’s name on all relevant documents and inform your customers and business partners of the name change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting your company name approved is a critical step in setting up a company in Singapore. ACRA has strict guidelines for company name approval to ensure that company names are distinctive, unique, and not misleading. To increase your chances of getting your company name approved, you should follow the tips mentioned above. You must also follow the proper procedures for submitting your company name for approval and changing the name of an existing company. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your company name is unique, appropriate, and approved for use in Singapore.
