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Check company name availability and register with ease

Register a company with us for £14.99 £50

We’re an authorised agent of Companies House and will fund almost all of the incorporation fee for you.

Get up and running in no time

Get registered and receive your Companies House certificate of incorporation within one business day. Once you’re set up you can access all your business account needs in one app!

Trusted by over 1 million businesses

We support small businesses, from cupcake makers to coders, giving business owners the time back to do what they love and grow their business.

Register a limited company

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How does our company name checker work?

When you run a limited company name check, our search tool cross references your chosen company name against every UK company in the Companies House register - both active and dissolved. 

We ensure your company name hasn’t been used in the past, and compare it against sensitive words that Companies House doesn’t allow.

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What to consider when choosing a business name

To get registered quickly, your company name needs to follow Companies House rules. Our free company name check tool will let you know if your name complies in a matter of seconds.

It must be unique

Your company name can’t be the same as another company’s, nor can it be similar. Consumers must be able to tell you apart from other businesses. 

It needs to end in “Limited” or “Ltd”

Whether you use “limited” or “ltd” is entirely up to you, but it is mandatory for all limited companies. In Wales, “Cyfyngedig” or “Cyf” is accepted.

It can’t include sensitive words

To avoid delays in company registration, omitting sensitive words from your business name is wise. While in some cases it’s possible to include them, they will need to be government-reviewed. 

It can’t be offensive

Be wary of offensive connotations when choosing your company name, especially if you plan to trade internationally. Although this may seem like common sense, other cultures may perceive certain terms as offensive, that you do not.

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Tips for choosing a company name

Choosing a company name can be difficult, especially if it’s your first! Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Choose something that's memorable

It should be easy to spell and pronounce

Pick a name that allows for your business to grow

Make sure it resonates with your target audience

A HAPPY TIDE MEMBER

Tide's business name check is a great tool! It gave me peace of mind that my company name was both available and complied with the naming rules.

Get more than just your business name with Tide

Start your journey with Tide and let us help you get your business sorted!

From checking your company name, to setting up a virtual office address and registering your business, we’ve got you covered.

  1. Register your limited company

    Once you’ve chosen your company name, you can register your limited company through Tide. Companies House charges £50 to incorporate, but we will get you registered for only £14.99!

  2. Open a business bank account

    Your business bank account takes minutes to open, and your company is usually registered the same day. No monthly account fees, no incorporation fees, and no fuss.

  3. Keep your home address private

    Choose Tide’s virtual office address service to get a registered London-based address, and keep your personal information secure.

  4. Secure your domain name

    Whilst registering your company, you can secure your domain name at the same time – there’s no need to go elsewhere!

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 Why Switch to Tide? 

  • Make manual admin a thing of the past – use the Current Account Switching Service to move your existing business account to Tide effortlessly.

  • Switching is completely free, and Tide takes care of everything, so you don’t have to.

  • Simply enter your old bank details – the rest is handled automatically, reliably, and without hassle.

Switch to Tide

Learn more about registering a company

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Company Name Check FAQs

Our search tool will check if your company name is available against over 4 million registered companies in the Companies House database.

No. Companies House rules state that every company must have its own unique name. Our business name checker will make sure your chosen name is available before you try to register your limited company.

Our company name check won’t just tell you if your business name is available, it will also check it against the list of sensitive words to ensure it meets Companies House rules too.

Our company name search tool will check your business name against over 4 million registered companies in the Companies House database. It will confirm whether your name is unique and available to be registered.

A business or trading name is a name you trade with, but is not the same as your registered company name. Our guide on company names vs trading names explains the difference and when you may wish to use a trading name.

You can register a limited company and leave it dormant until you’re ready to start trading, to stop anybody else registering your chosen name with Companies House. Additionally, you may wish to register your company name as a trade mark, which will legally prohibit others from using it.

It’s not possible to reserve a company name without forming a limited company under that name. 

All private limited companies must include “Limited” or “Ltd” unless they are exempt through certain criteria. For example, your private company must be limited by guarantee.

When a company is dissolved, it is removed from the Companies House register. This means it no longer exists legally and you can reuse the name. 

We understand businesses, it's all we do

Tide is built by business owners for business owners. That’s why we’re trusted by over 1 million sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies worldwide.

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