Reserve your business name
Step 3: Reserve your business name
Decide on a name for your business and use our e-Adviser for Starting a Business to:
- Check if there are similar business names, and if it’s available as a domain name or a username on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube/Twitter.
- Create a Guided Journey to get your business started, step by step, and find out if additional approvals are needed.
You can also check if there are similar trade marks on IPOS Digital Hub.
Avoid names which are:
- Identical to another business’ name
- Undesirable (eg: vulgar, obscene or offensive)
- Prohibited (e.g: Temasek)
You may submit an appeal if your name application has been rejected and/or you have a valid reason to use the name which is identical or prohibited. You will need to upload the supporting documents to support your name appeal.
To improve your chances of a successful application, read the ACRA business name guidelines for more details.
How to reserve your business name
You can reserve your desired name for up to 120 days before registering your business. The name will be released after the reservation period.
There are three ways to reserve your business name:
I want to reserve a business name for my Sole Proprietorship/Partnership
Reserve your business name on GoBusiness with guidance from the e-Adviser. If you do this, you do not need to apply on ACRA's BizFile+.
I want to reserve a business name for another type of business structure
You may reserve your business name for any business structure directly on ACRA’s BizFile+.
I want someone to reserve a business name on my behalf
You may engage a registered filing agent (e.g. law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit an online application on your behalf. Fees may vary.
The pre-requisites, information and supporting documents needed for the application to reserve the business name will vary, depending on the business structure type. Click on the respective business structure to find out more.
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Here’s what you need to know to apply for a Business (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) name.
Application Fee
- $15
- Additional $40 for provision of each alternate address (optional)
Average Processing Time
- Approved immediately if the name is available
- May take 14 to 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
- Approved name will be reserved for 120 days
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- All owners are required to clear their outstanding Medisave liabilities with CPF Board
- The owner(s) must be either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass Holder or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Proposed business name
- Description of main business activities
- Particulars of business owners and authorised representatives (if applicable)
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Here’s what you need to know to apply for a Limited Partnership name.
Application Fee
- $15
- Additional $40 for provision of each Alternate Address (optional)
Average Processing Time
- Approved immediately if the name is available
- May take 14 - 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
- Approved name will be reserved for 120 days
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- There must be at least one General Partner and one Limited Partner
- All partners are required to clear their outstanding Medisave liabilities with CPF Board
- The partners must be either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- Alternatively, if all the General Partners are not residing in Singapore, a local manager must be appointed
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Proposed business name
- Description of main business activities
- Particulars of partners and local manager (if applicable)
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Here’s what you need to know in order to apply for a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) name.
Application Fee
- $15
- Additional $40 for provision of each Alternate Address (optional)
Average Processing Time
- Approved immediately if the name is available
- May take 14 - 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
- Approved name will be reserved for 120 days
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- There must be a minimum of two partners
- The partners must be either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- A local manager who is residing in Singapore must be appointed
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Proposed business name
- Description of main business activities
- Particulars of partners and local manager
-
Here’s what you need to know in order to apply for a Company name.
Application Fee
- $15
- Additional $40 for provision of each Alternate Address (optional)
Average Processing Time
- Approved immediately if the name is available
- May take 14 - 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
- Approved name will be reserved for 120 days
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- There must be at least one director who is either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- There must be at least one director and one shareholder
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Proposed business name
- Description of main business activities
- Particulars of director(s)
Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC)
What is SSIC and why do I need it for my business?
The Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) is the national standard to classify the business activities of firms. It is a code assigned to classify your business activities carried out in Singapore. These codes are used for service delivery by government agencies and in the compilation and analysis of industry statistics for policy and business planning purposes. Each SSIC category comprises a 5-digit code and description of the business activity.
When reserving your business name, you will need to provide the SSIC code(s) that best describes your business activities. To find out your SSIC code, use our e-Adviser for Starting a Business. Find the complete list of the SSIC codes here.
Review of applications by Referral Authorities
Certain names or business activities require approval from the relevant government agencies (Referral Authorities). For example, names containing ‘hospital’, ‘clinic’, ‘surgery’, ‘healthcare’ will require approval from the Ministry of Health. In such cases, the application may take between 14 days to 60 days.
You can find the list of Referral Authorities here.
