If you trade in Ireland under any name other than your own, you must register that name with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). It costs €20 online, you file it on CRO’s CORE system, and you must do it within one month of starting to use the name. This guide explains who needs to register, which form to use, and the naming rules that catch people out.
Key facts
- Who: anyone trading under a name that differs from their own true name, including sole traders, partnerships and companies.
- Deadline: within one month of adopting the name.
- Cost: €20 online, €40 on paper.
- Forms: RBN1 for an individual, RBN1A for a partnership, RBN1B for a company or other body corporate.
- Processing: CRO currently warns of delays of up to four weeks. The certificate is sent by email.
- Protection: registration does not stop anyone else using the same name.
Do you need to register a business name?
Registration is required whenever the name you trade under is different from your own true name. CRO gives a simple example: Mr John Murphy must register if he trades as Murphy Builders, but not if he trades as Murphy or John Murphy. Adding your first name or initials to your surname does not create a business name.
In practice, you need to register if:
- you are a sole trader using a name that differs in any way from your surname
- you are a partnership using a name that differs from the names of all the partners
- you are a company trading under a name that differs in any way from its full registered company name
- you publish a newspaper and have a place of business in Ireland.
The point of the register is transparency: it shows the public who is legally behind a trading name.
Which form to use
| Who is registering | Form | Fee online | Fee on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (sole trader) | RBN1 | €20 | €40 |
| Partnership | RBN1A | €20 | €40 |
| Company or other body corporate | RBN1B | €20 | €40 |
How to register a business name, step by step
- Check the name. CRO does not check your proposed name against other registered business or company names, so search the CRO register yourself and look for trademarks. If you want a website, check the domain is free too.
- Create a CORE account. Business name forms are filed on CRO’s CORE system. CRO recommends using a laptop or desktop rather than a phone or tablet, as the forms can be awkward on mobile.
- Complete the right form. RBN1, RBN1A or RBN1B, depending on who owns the business.
- Pay the €20 fee online.
- Watch your inbox. The certificate of registration is emailed to the address on the form. Check your spam folder, as many people miss it.
Naming rules that catch people out
- No company words. A business name cannot include “limited”, “ltd”, “teoranta”, “teo”, “incorporated”, “inc.” or “company”. Those words imply a registered company.
- No “Associates” or “Group” for one person. Both words suggest more than one person, so they cannot be used by an individual on form RBN1.
- Web addresses need proof. Names ending in “.ie”, “.com” or “.net”, or starting with “www”, are considered undesirable. If you want one, you must upload proof that you own the domain.
- No transfers. You cannot hand a business name over to someone else. The current owner files form RBN3 to stop trading under it, and the new owner registers it again on RBN1.
What registration does not do
Registering a business name is a disclosure requirement, not a form of ownership. It:
- does not stop someone else from registering or using the same name
- does not mean the name will be accepted later as a company name
- does not mean no one else has rights in the name, such as a trademark.
If the name matters to your brand, look into a trademark as well.
Business name or limited company?
Registering a business name does not create a company or give you limited liability. A sole trader with a registered business name is still personally responsible for the business. If you want a separate legal entity, you need to form a company. Our guides on sole trader vs limited company in Ireland and how to set up a limited company explain the difference.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a business name in Ireland?
CRO processes applications in date order and currently warns of delays of up to four weeks for RBN1 forms. File as early as you can.
Can I trade before my business name is registered?
The law gives you one month from when you adopt the name to register it, so file within that window.
Do I need to register if I trade under my own name?
No. If you trade as yourself, for example “John Murphy” or simply “Murphy”, no business name registration is needed.
Does a company need to register a business name?
Only if it trades under a name that is different from its full registered company name. It uses form RBN1B.
Does registering a business name protect it?
No. It does not prevent duplication. Use a trademark if you need legal protection for a brand.
Related guides
- How to start a business in Ireland
- Sole trader vs limited company in Ireland
- How to set up a limited company in Ireland
- VAT registration threshold in Ireland
Sources
Checked against CRO guidance in October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. More business guides and news in our Business section.
