Consider this if…
- You are registering a new company
- You want to change an existing company name
- The proposed name is central to the brand
- A similar business or trade mark already appears in search results
How it works
Tell us what you need to change
We identify the company, the people involved, the intended result and any deadline or transaction driving the work.
At the first conversation
We check the existing record
We review the available company extract, constitution, registers, resolutions and agreements relevant to the proposed step.
Before documents are prepared
We prepare the legal documents
The required resolutions, notices, consents, agreements and records are prepared as one consistent set.
Timing confirmed with the scope
Signing, records and lodgement
We explain what must be signed, update the company record and deal with the required lodgement within the agreed scope.
After approval and signing
Fee
Quoted in writing before we start
GST inclusive
The scope, fee and expected timing are confirmed in writing before work begins.
Availability and ownership are different questions
The company register applies naming rules and compares proposed names against names already recorded. That administrative availability check does not grant ownership of the brand and does not decide whether use could infringe another person's rights.
Check the name in context
A sensible review may include the proposed company name, business names, domain names, trade marks and the market in which the business will operate. The scope should match the commercial importance of the name.
If the name is not available
The options may include choosing a distinguishable name, using the company number as the legal name, registering a separate business name, or addressing an existing name or consent issue. We explain which path fits the proposed use.
Frequently asked questions
Does company-name availability mean I own the name?
No. Company registration and trade mark rights are different. Availability on the company register is not a clearance of brand or infringement risk.
Can my company trade under another name?
A company can trade under a registered business name, subject to the applicable registration and branding requirements.
Should I also search trade marks?
If the name will be used as a brand, a trade mark search is a separate and important step. The depth of the search should reflect the value and risk attached to the name.
Related services
Tell us the company name, what needs to happen and any deadline you are working to.
Ask about this company service