How does ACRA approve company names in Singapore? Before incorporation, you must pass an ACRA company name check via BizFile+. ACRA approves names that are unique, not undesirable, and free of restricted words. The application fee is S$15, and once approved, the name is reserved for 120 days. Names containing regulated terms (e.g., "Bank", "School") are referred to authorities and can take up to 15 working days to process.
Key Takeaways
- Name reservation is mandatory: You must successfully reserve your business name via ACRA before you can register a new company in Singapore.
- ACRA ignores common suffixes: Adding words like "Singapore", "Asia", "Group", or ".com" does not make an identical name unique in ACRA's system.
- Restricted words trigger delays: Terms like "Bank", "Finance", or "ASEAN" require referral to other government authorities, extending approval time up to 15 days.
- Approval ≠ Trademark Protection: ACRA name approval does not grant intellectual property rights. You must register separately with IPOS for trademark protection.
- SSIC code alignment: Your proposed name must logically align with the primary business activity (SSIC code) you declare during the application.
Fast Facts — Singapore Company Name Rules
In Singapore, your company name must be approved before incorporation. ACRA checks proposed company names against existing registered entities in the BizFile+ system. Names can be rejected or delayed if they are identical to existing or reserved names, undesirable, misleading, or contain restricted words that need referral to another authority.
Many founders prefer to have an ACRA Registered Filing Agent manage the company name application together with incorporation to reduce rejection risk, referral delays, and avoidable setup disruptions. If your goal is speed and certainty, it makes sense to review the name, business activity, and filing path before you pay the application fee.
How the ACRA Company Name Check Works
ACRA does not approve names just because they sound available to the founder. When you perform an ACRA company name check, the system compares your proposal against existing registered entities.
This matters because many applicants think a small change in wording is enough. In practice, ACRA disregards certain words and elements when comparing names. These include:
- “The” at the start of the name
- Geographical terms such as “Singapore”, “Asia”, or “Global”
- Business descriptors such as “Group”, “Holdings”, or “International”
- Entity type variants such as “Pte Ltd” or “Private Limited”
- Domain suffixes such as “.com” or “.sg”
A name that looks different to a founder may still be treated as identical to an existing entity by ACRA's automated system.
ACRA Restricted Words List & Referrals
If your proposed name includes regulated or restricted language, ACRA will not approve it immediately. Instead, the application is sent to a specific government referral authority for review. This can delay your incorporation timeline by up to 15 working days.
| Restricted Word / Term | Referral Authority | Justification Required |
|---|---|---|
| Bank, Finance, Insurance | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) | Must hold relevant financial licenses. |
| School, Academy, University | Ministry of Education (MOE) | Must prove educational credentials and premises. |
| ASEAN, Government, Statutory Board | Relevant Ministries | Cannot imply unauthorized government affiliation. |
| Law, Legal, Advocates | Ministry of Law / Law Society | Restricted to registered law firms. |
| Charity, Foundation, Society | Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) | Requires specific non-profit registration. |
Pro Tip: If you must use a restricted word, prepare your supporting documents (e.g., licenses, board resolutions, or letters of consent) before submitting the name application to prevent the 15-day delay from stalling your launch.
Common ACRA Name Rejection Reasons
Understanding ACRA name rejection reasons helps you avoid wasting S$15 on non-refundable application fees. Your name will likely be rejected if it is:
- Identical to an existing name: As noted, ACRA ignores common suffixes when checking for exact matches.
- Undesirable or Vulgar: Names containing offensive language or profanity are automatically blocked.
- Misleading: A name that implies a business activity completely different from your declared SSIC code.
- Too similar to a well-known brand: Even if not trademarked in Singapore, ACRA may reject names that closely mimic global corporations to prevent public confusion.
IPOS Trademark vs. ACRA Name Approval
A frequent and costly mistake is assuming that ACRA name approval gives you brand protection. It does not.
ACRA explicitly states that registering a business name is not the same as registering a trade mark. Business name registration does not give exclusive rights to the name and does not provide intellectual property protection.
The Golden Rule of Branding in Singapore: Before you pay ACRA to reserve your name, run a free search on the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) database. If your desired name is already trademarked by another entity in your industry, you risk a cease-and-desist letter or a forced rebrand later, even if ACRA approved the company registration.
✅ The 3-Step Pre-Filing Name Checklist:
- Check IPOS: Ensure the name isn't trademarked in your specific business class.
- Check ACRA BizFile+: Search for identical names, remembering to mentally strip away words like "Singapore", "Pte Ltd", and "Group".
- Align with SSIC: Ensure your name logically matches the primary business activity (SSIC code) you plan to declare.
Guide for Foreign Founders
For overseas entrepreneurs, the Singapore company name guidelines are just the first step. Foreign founders must also secure a locally resident director before incorporation can be completed.
If you do not yet have a Singapore Citizen, PR, or EntrePass holder to act as a director, that issue will block your wider incorporation timeline even if the name itself is approved. In those situations, securing a Nominee Director service becomes relevant alongside the name application.
Fees, Reservation, and Next Steps
- Name Application Fee: S$15 (Non-refundable if rejected or withdrawn).
- ACRA Name Reservation Period: 120 days. You must complete the full company incorporation within this window, or the name is released back to the public.
- Company Incorporation Fee: S$300 (Payable to ACRA when you formally register the entity using your reserved name).
Founders who already know they want to proceed often combine the name review with the incorporation planning stage so they do not lose time between approval and filing. Review our complete guide on how to register a company in Singapore for the full end-to-end process.
Need Help Securing Your Singapore Company Name?
Let Terra Advisory Services review your proposed name, flag avoidable approval issues, and handle the reservation together with your full incorporation support. No delays, no rejected fees.
Incorporating a business in Singapore is a major legal and financial decision. We provide dedicated, personal service from our first conversation to your ongoing annual filings.
If you do not fully understand any aspect of the process, we will pause and will not move forward until you are ready.
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Important Notice: While Terra Advisory Services Pte. Ltd. endeavours to keep the content accurate and current, Singapore government policies, regulations, fees, and procedures may change at any time without prior notice. For the most up-to-date and authoritative information, please refer directly to official government sources. For the latest compliance and advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please contact Terra Advisory Services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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