Business Name Registration

Ireland

Any individual, partnership, company or newspaper publisher carrying on a business under a name other than their own are obliged under law to register a Business Name.

Business name registration by Individuals is required where the business name is different in any way to the name of the individual.  For example, supposing Kathryn Maybury was running a business under the name “Maybury Shoes”.  Kathryn must register the name “Maybury Shoes” as a business name but, if she was running a business called “Maybury” she would not have to register a business name as that is her actual surname.

Business name registration by a company is required where the business name is different to the company name.  For example, supposing KomSec Limited was running a business under the name KomSec Ireland.  The company KomSec Limited must register “KomSec Ireland” as a business name but, if operating under the company name “KomSec Limited” the company would not have to register a business name.

Business name registration by a Partnership is required where a partnership is operating a business whether the partnership consists of just individuals or a mix of individuals and companies.

Newspaper Publishers – are obliged to register a business name.

KomSec Limited can prepare and file statutory forms required to register a business name, and if required to note the cessation of a business name in Ireland.

United Kingdom

It is possible to use a business name, and registration with Companies House is not obligatory.

Guidelines for use of business names in the U.K. are similar to those in Ireland.  A Business Name is any name (apart from an individuals’ name) under which someone carries on business and can be used by sole traders, companies or partnerships.