A business name is a name used for a business which-

. In the case of an individual or partnership, is different from the name(s) of the proprietor(s), and
. In the case of a company, is different from the company’s corporate name.

All business names must be registered. It is an offence to operate a business under a business name which has not been registered. The law regarding business names is set out in the Registration of Business Names Act [Chap. 78:46, Registration of Business Name (Amendment) Act 20 of 2001, the Business Names Rules, 2011 and the Business Names (Fees) Rules, S.R.O. 35 of 2001.

The application form is slightly different depending on whether the applicant is a sole trader, a partnership or a company. The forms are:

. From BN1 Application for Registration of a Business Name by an individual.
. From BN2 Application for Registration of a Business Name by a firm or partnership.
. From BN3 Application for Registration of a Business Name by a company.

Requirements for Registration of a Business Name

. Letter addressed to the Registrar of Companies requesting registration of Business Name.
. Business Name Application Letter (Sample) (PDF, 19.7 KB).
. Statement of Particulars and Statutory Declaration in duplicate (2 copies each) on deed paper.
. Business Name Statement of Particulars (Sample) (PDF, 18 KB).
. Business Name Statutory Declaration (Sample) (PDF, 31.1 KB).