Requirements for business name registration in Ireland in 2026

If you intend to trade in Ireland under a name that is not your own legal name — or, in the case of a company, a name different from its registered company name — you are legally required to register that business name with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). This obligation applies to sole traders, partnerships and companies alike, and it is set out in the Registration of Business Names Act 1963 as amended.

Registering a business name does not create a separate legal entity; it simply records the trading name publicly so that customers and creditors can identify who stands behind the business. The process is straightforward and is handled almost entirely online through the CRO’s dedicated portal, core.ie.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

Business name registration is the formal process of recording a trading name with the Companies Registration Office (CRO), the State body responsible for company and business name registration in Ireland.

You need to complete this procedure if:

• You are a sole trader trading under any name other than your own full legal name.
• You are a partnership trading under a name that does not consist of the surnames of all partners.
• You are a company trading under a name that differs from its registered company name.

The registration is a legal requirement under the Registration of Business Names Act 1963. Failure to register can result in a fine and may prevent you from enforcing contracts in the trading name. The CRO maintains a public register of all business names, which is searchable at core.ie.

Documents required

The documents you need depend on whether you are registering as a sole trader, a partnership or a company. All submissions are made via the CRO’s online system at core.ie or, where a paper form is used, by post to the CRO.

For a sole trader (Form RBN1)

• Completed Form RBN1 — the prescribed form for an individual registering a business name.
• Full legal name and home address of the registrant (entered on the form; no separate identity document is uploaded to the CRO portal, but you must supply accurate details).
• Business address in Ireland where the business is carried on.
• Description of the nature of the business.
• If the form is submitted on paper: original signature of the sole trader.

For a partnership (Form RBN1B)

• Completed Form RBN1B — the prescribed form for partnerships.
• Full legal name and home address of every partner.
• Business address in Ireland.
• Description of the nature of the business.
• If submitted on paper: original signature of each partner.

For a company (Form RBN1A)

• Completed Form RBN1A — the prescribed form for bodies corporate.
• Registered company name and company registration number (CRN).
• Registered office address of the company.
• Description of the nature of the business.
• If submitted on paper: signature of a director or secretary of the company.

General notes on documents

• No apostille, notarisation or certified translation is required for standard domestic registrations.
• The CRO does not require you to upload identity documents (passport, driving licence) as part of the online filing; the information is entered directly into the form.
• If you are a non-EEA national registering as a sole trader, you do not need to provide immigration documents to the CRO, but you must hold the appropriate permission to work or trade in Ireland from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
• Keep a copy of your completed form and the CRO’s acknowledgement for your own records.

Steps to complete the procedure

The preferred and fastest route is online via the CRO’s portal. Paper filing is still accepted but takes longer.

Online filing at core.ie

1. Go to core.ie and create or log in to your CRO account.
2. Select “Register a business name” and choose the correct form (RBN1 for sole traders, RBN1B for partnerships, RBN1A for companies).
3. Search the CRO register to confirm your proposed business name is not already registered or identical to an existing name.
4. Complete all required fields: proposed business name, registrant details, business address and nature of business.
5. Pay the registration fee online by debit or credit card.
6. Submit the form. You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email acknowledgement.
7. Once processed, the CRO issues a Certificate of Registration of Business Name (Form RBN3), which is available to download from your CRO account.

Paper filing (postal)

1. Download the relevant form (RBN1, RBN1B or RBN1A) from cro.ie.
2. Complete and sign the form.
3. Enclose a cheque or postal order for the paper filing fee payable to the Companies Registration Office.
4. Post to: Companies Registration Office, Bloom House, Gloucester Place Lower, Dublin 1, D01 C8P4.
5. Await processing and receipt of the certificate by post.

No appointment is required for either route. The online process can be completed at any time. The CRO office in Dublin 1 is open for in-person queries on business days, but registration itself does not require an in-person visit.

Fees and timelines

• Online filing fee: €20 per business name registration.
• Paper filing fee: €40 per business name registration (paper attracts a higher fee).
• Estimated processing time (online): typically 3–5 working days once payment is confirmed; in practice, many registrations are processed within 1–2 working days.
• Estimated processing time (paper): 10–15 working days from receipt.
• Validity of registration: a business name registration does not expire automatically, but you must notify the CRO of any changes (change of address, change of partners, cessation of use) using the relevant change form (RBN2 series) within one month of the change.
• Annual return: business name registrations do not require an annual return, unlike limited companies.
• Cancellation fee: if you cease trading under the name, you file Form RBN4 (cessation); there is no fee for this filing.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Choosing a name already on the register. The CRO will reject a name identical or very similar to one already registered. Always search the public register at core.ie before completing your form to confirm availability.
• Submitting incomplete or inconsistent details. Errors in the registrant’s name, address or company registration number are a frequent cause of rejection or delay. Double-check every field against your official identity documents or company incorporation certificate before submitting.
• Using a restricted or prohibited word without approval. Certain words (for example, “bank”, “insurance”, “university”, “national”) require prior consent from a relevant authority before they can appear in a business name. Submitting a name containing such a word without the required consent will result in rejection.
• Failing to update the register after a change. If your address, partners or trading name changes, you must file the relevant RBN2 form within one month. Not doing so is an offence and can cause problems when opening bank accounts or entering contracts under the registered name.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register a business name if I trade under my own full name? No. If you are a sole trader and you trade exclusively under your own full legal name (first name and surname), registration is not required. You only need to register if you add any other words — for example, “John Murphy Consulting” — that make the name different from your legal name.

Can I register more than one business name? Yes. There is no limit to the number of business names you can register, provided each name is distinct and available. Each registration requires a separate form and a separate fee.

Does registering a business name protect it as a trademark? No. Registration with the CRO records the name publicly but does not give you exclusive intellectual property rights over it. If you want to protect your trading name as a trademark in Ireland, you must apply separately to the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) at ipoi.gov.ie.

What happens if I start trading before my registration is processed? You are required to register before or as soon as practicable after you begin trading under the name. Trading without registration is an offence under the Registration of Business Names Act 1963 and can result in a fine. Submit your application promptly to minimise any gap.

I am a non-Irish national. Can I register a business name in Ireland? Yes, provided you have the legal right to work or carry on business in Ireland. The CRO does not assess immigration status, but you must hold the appropriate permission from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) before commencing business activities. Contact ISD at irishimmigration.ie if you are unsure about your entitlement to trade.

What to do next

The most important steps are: confirm your proposed business name is available on the CRO register, gather your registrant details (full legal name, address, nature of business), and file Form RBN1, RBN1B or RBN1A online at core.ie with the €20 fee.

Requirements, fees and prescribed forms can change. Before you begin, verify the current requirements directly with the Companies Registration Office at cro.ie or by calling the CRO information line at +353 1 804 5200. Official guidance is also available at gov.ie.