The registration of a business name is obligatory whenever an individual, partnership (composed of individuals or corporate bodies, or a combination of both), or any corporate body conducts business under a name other than their true legal names. The primary purpose of registration is to publicly disclose the identities of those individuals, partnerships, or corporate entities that stand behind the business name. See below for a full guide on how to register a business name.

  • Sole Trader – Sole Traders, who prefer not to trade under their own legal name, can register a business name with the CRO (Companies Registration Office). have the flexibility to choose any business name, as long as it adheres to the CRO’s business name guidelines. It’s important to note that registering a business name does not equate to registering the entire business; these are separate processes.

  • Limited Company – Limited Companies already possess a company name, but they can also register an additional business name or a “trading as (T/A)” name to operate under a different identity. If a Sole Trader decides to transition to a Limited Company and already holds a registered business name, they must deregister the business name associated with the Sole Trader entity and then register it again under the Limited Company.

Sole Traders typically opt for business names to avoid trading under their personal names. Failing to have a distinct business name could hinder the creation of a brand with potential for expansion

Limited Companies commonly adopt business names when their desired company name is unavailable through the CRO (Companies Registration Office). Additionally, companies may register business names for separate divisions when they operate multiple businesses under one entity.

Registering a business name is a straightforward and uncomplicated procedure, but it is crucial to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the process. That’s why we strongly advise employing a professional agent for this task. This service is officially registered through the companies registration office. You’ll need to complete and submit Forms RBN1 (Individual), RBNA (partnership), OR RBN1B (body corporate). At Irish Formations, we can take care of all the paperwork and filings required to register your business name.

In order for us to do this we will require some information.

  • The registration of a business name may take up to 4 weeks, and possibly longer during peak periods. The entire process is conducted online, and the business name holder must sign the necessary paperwork before submission to the CRO (Companies Registration Office).

  • By outsourcing to a professional firm, such as Irish Formations, all the paperwork will be taken care of on your behalf. You only need to complete your client profile and sign the required documents.