How to Check Company Name Availability Singapore Online

There is a moment before registration that always feels personal — the quiet hope that a chosen title will be accepted and the dream can move forward.

I remember sitting at a small desk, refreshing a government portal, unsure if the business name I loved would pass. That nervous pause is common. ACRA asks applicants to use BizFile+ and its search bar at the top of the page for an initial verification before submitting any application.

This brief guide explains the purpose of running a search: it reduces the risk of rejection on BizFile+ and keeps your registration timeline predictable. It also clarifies that a successful search is not the same as brand ownership. If a proposed company name triggers “identical” rules or is referred, approval is not guaranteed.

You will find practical tips here for spotting close matches, adjusting a proposed business name before paying the fee, and where to find supporting government guidance. For personal assistance, consider contacting an expert via our contact page.

Key Takeaways

Use BizFile+ search bar first to lower rejection risk.
A successful search is not identical with trademark or brand rights.
Know ACRA naming rules and common referral triggers.
Adjust proposals before paying the application fee.
Reserve your chosen option and act within the 120-day window.

Before you search: ACRA rules that affect company and business name approval in Singapore

A clear grasp of ACRA’s naming rules saves time and reduces the chance of a refused submission.

What “identical” means on BizFile+

ACRA treats a proposed company name as identical if the core wording matches an existing entry, even with minor changes. Adding an article, a generic word or changing the entity type often makes no difference.

For example, “Morning Caffeine Pte Ltd” is considered identical to “Morning Caffeine International Pte Ltd”, “The Morning Caffeine Pte Ltd” or “Morning Caffeine LLP”.

Commonly disregarded words

Singapore, Group, Holdings, International
Pte, Ltd, LLP and domain endings like .com or .sg

Prohibited and undesirable terms

ACRA blocks vulgar or offensive wording, terms that look government-linked and protected words such as “Temasek”. These categories commonly prevent approval.

Referral authorities and timing

Certain words flag regulated activities and trigger referral to other agencies or government agencies. Examples include “school” and estate-related terms. Referred name applications can take days or weeks — typically 14–60 days — so plan launch dates accordingly.

Issue	Effect	Typical time
Identical wording	Name refusal or referral	Immediate review
Protected terms	Automatic rejection	Immediate
Referral to authorities	Extra checks by regulatory authority	14–60 days

Quick checklist before searching

Avoid over-generic words and protected terms.
Consider whether your business activities imply regulation.
Have backup options if a referral may take days.

How to check company name availability singapore on BizFile+ (ACRA) online

Use a clear, repeatable routine when you run a verification on BizFile+.

Step-by-step workflow

Open the BizFile+ portal and place your proposed title into the search field at the top of the page. Click “Search” and review the results list that appears.

Finding the BizFile+ search bar and running a name verification search

Enter the full proposed company and press the search control. ACRA’s system will return exact matches and closely similar entries. Some words (for example, “Singapore”, “Group”, “International”) are often disregarded in comparisons.

Reading search results and spotting close matches that could block approval

Look for the same core words in the same order. If results only differ by generic descriptors or entity type (Pte / Ltd / LLP), treat the option as effectively unavailable.

Adjusting your proposed business name to improve approval chances

Document each result: record the entry, registration date and any remarks. This data helps compare alternatives and avoids repeating searches.

Improve distinctiveness by adding a coined or uncommon word, or by changing the structure rather than appending common descriptors. As a rule: if the intended title differs only by articles, generic words or entity type, choose a more distinctive alternative before proceeding.

For official rules and further terms, consult our terms and conditions and ACRA guidance as the corporate regulatory authority under the accounting corporate regulatory framework.

Reserve your company name and prepare the name application details

Once a search returns a usable title, the next step is to reserve it and gather the details for filing.

Submitting the name application and the S$15 fee.

Complete the online filing on BizFile+ by entering the proposed title and paying the S$15 processing fee. Have ready the proposed primary and secondary business activities and a brief description for each.

Choosing the SSIC code for primary and secondary activities

Select the correct Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code that best reflects your primary activity. Add a secondary code if you will carry other business activities.

Picking accurate codes prevents later delays. Certain activities need licences or permits after registration, so confirm regulatory steps early.

120-day reservation and next steps before it expires

After approval the title is reserved for 120 days. Within that period you must complete registration or incorporation or the reservation lapses and the title becomes available again.

Planning around referral timelines and incorporation windows

If a proposed title triggers checks by other agencies, allow extra days for clearance. Build buffer time so incorporation filing and supporting documents can proceed without losing the reserved title.

Compliance after registration and brand protection

Under the Companies Act, display the registered title and UEN on letters, invoices, statements and notices. This simple checklist helps meet legal requirements:

Show the registered title and UEN on official correspondence.
Keep SSIC descriptions accurate for filings.
Secure necessary licences if activities are regulated.

Protect the brand beyond ACRA. Registration at ACRA does not create trademark rights. Consider filing with IPOS and register relevant domains promptly via SGNIC-accredited registrars to avoid impersonation.

For reserving a business name through official guidance, see reserve a business name.

Conclusion

Wrap up with a short flow that helps prevent last‑minute delays.

Recap: search BizFile+, assess identical risks, avoid prohibited or disregarded terms and submit the application. If approved, proceed to incorporate within the 120‑day reservation window.

Most refusals happen when applicants rely on generic words or entity types to claim uniqueness. Pick a distinctive core title and skip regulated terms unless they apply to your activities.

For speed, prepare SSIC selections and incorporation details in advance. Remember that administrative registration does not equal brand protection — consider trade mark filing and domain registration for long‑term security.

Action list: run your verification search, shortlist two to three compliant options and submit promptly to improve success. For official guidance, see reserve a business name.

FAQ

How do I verify a proposed company name on BizFile+?

Use the BizFile+ search bar on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) portal to run a name verification. Enter your proposed title and review the results for exact matches, close variants and existing entities. This initial search shows whether the name is taken, reserved or potentially conflicting under ACRA’s “identical” rules.

What does “identical” mean on BizFile+ and why might small changes be rejected?

“Identical” covers names that are the same in meaning, appearance or pronunciation after ACRA ignores common words and punctuation. Minor tweaks such as adding a hyphen, changing punctuation or inserting an ampersand often do not avoid rejection if the overall impression remains the same.

Which common words does ACRA disregard when assessing names?

ACRA typically disregards generic markers like “Singapore”, “Group”, “Pte”, “Ltd”, “.com” and “.sg”. These are not usually sufficient to distinguish two proposals. When choosing a title, ensure distinctiveness beyond such terms to reduce the risk of refusal.

What types of names are prohibited or considered undesirable?

ACRA will refuse offensive words, terms suggesting unlawful activity, or wording that implies government endorsement. Protected names such as “Temasek” and other restricted words linked to statutory bodies require approval from relevant agencies and are often refused without consent.

When will my name application be referred to other authorities?

Applications containing regulated terms—such as “school”, “bank”, “law”, “healthcare” or profession-specific words—are sent to referral authorities. Referral can add days or weeks to the process depending on the agency involved and the nature of the activity.

How do I find and run the ACRA name search on BizFile+?

Log in or access BizFile+, locate the search function on the homepage and type your proposed title into the search field. Use variations to test risk of close matches. The portal returns existing entities, reserved names and notes on conflicts that could prevent approval.

How should I read search results and spot close matches that might block approval?

Look for identical entities, similar-sounding names, and names with the same meaning after ACRA’s normalisation. Pay attention to companies in the same industry or with similar SSIC codes; these are likelier to cause objection than unrelated businesses.

How can I adjust a proposed business name to improve approval chances?

Create a distinctive, descriptive element that is not a common word ACRA ignores. Avoid minor punctuation changes, add a unique word or brand element and choose wording that does not imply endorsement. Confirm the revised title on BizFile+ before application.

How do I reserve a name and what is the fee?

Submit a name reservation via BizFile+ and pay the non-refundable S fee. If approved, ACRA reserves the title for 120 days. Use this period to prepare incorporation documents and secure any required approvals from referral authorities.

How do I choose an SSIC code for primary and secondary business activities?

Select the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes that best describe your main and ancillary activities. Accurate SSIC selection helps ACRA assess regulatory referrals and informs licensing or industry-specific checks.

What happens after name approval and how long is the reservation valid?

ACRA reserves an approved name for 120 days. You must complete incorporation within that window. If referral authorities require additional time, factor that into your plan and consider reapplying if the reservation lapses.

How should I plan for referral authority timelines and incorporation windows?

Allow extra time for agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Monetary Authority of Singapore or other regulators to respond. Begin referrals and licence applications early and sequence incorporation only after necessary consents are received.

What compliance steps follow registration regarding use of the company title and UEN?

After registration, display the full corporate title and the Unique Entity Number (UEN) on business correspondence, invoices and statutory documents. Adhere to ACRA guidelines on permitted abbreviations and mandated disclosures.

How can I protect my name beyond ACRA registration?

Consider filing a trade mark application with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and register domains via SGNIC-accredited registrars. Trade mark protection and a matching domain lower the risk of brand disputes and help secure digital presence.

How long does the entire name approval and incorporation process typically take?

Simple name approvals on BizFile+ may complete within a day, but when referrals or additional documentation are required, the process can extend for several weeks. Plan based on the complexity of your business activities and possible agency consultations.

Dean Cheong

Dean Cheong, CEO of VOffice, is a Singapore-based specialist in scaling B2B businesses. His work centers on optimizing sales operations, launching effective go-to-market strategies, and leveraging CRM tools to drive consistent revenue expansion. With a foundation in business banking and finance from Nanyang Technological University, Dean brings both strategic insight and real-world execution to every engagement.

hub.com.sg