You can use a dissolved company name for your business. However, you should research the dissolved company’s history and reputation before you take the name, as negative associations could impact your business image.
We explain the checks that you should make before taking a dissolved company’s name, and how to differentiate yourself from the former business.
Key takeaways
- You can legally use a dissolved company name, so long as no other company has chosen a very similar name since it was dissolved.
- Be mindful that using the name of a dissolved company could damage your reputation if the former business had negative perceptions.
- You can find out about the previous company’s reputation on Companies House, through a credit check, and a general online search.
Can I legally register a dissolved company name?
Yes, you can use the name of a dissolved company. You may already know that there are certain rules and restrictions for choosing a company name. You shouldn’t assume that the name passes these rules just because it was used validly before.
Things might have changed since the name was first registered, so you need to go through the checks in the same way as you would when registering a company name for the first time. For example, another company may have registered a company with a similar name since the former company was dissolved. If that’s the case, then your proposed name might be the ‘same as’ another company name, and you won’t be allowed to use it.
- Can I change a company name?
- How to choose a company name
- Exemption from using the word ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ in a company name
How to check if a dissolved company’s name is available
Use a free name check tool
The first check you need to do is to check that the proposed name is not the ‘same as’ an existing name on the index. You can check this with a free name check tool such as the one on Companies House or at Rapid Formations.
Check for existing trademarks
You should also search the UK Intellectual Property Office trade marks register to check your proposed name does not risk infringing an existing trademark.
What legal restrictions apply?
The legal rules for using dissolved company names are the same as those for choosing a new company name. The relevant rules and regulations are:
- The Companies Act 2006
- The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014
- The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015
- Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
Names you can’t use under the law
Essentially, you can’t use offensive words or any words that might cause offence. Neither can you use ‘sensitive’ words, which could imply a connection with the government. For example, you’re unlikely to be able to use the words “institute” or “tribunal” unless you have the required permission, and you can’t use a name that’s too similar to another company’s name. You also need to avoid computer code in your company name.
Does the CRN make a difference?
Yes, your company registration number (CRN) is unique to your company. That means that even if you’re using the same name as a dissolved company, your CRN will be different. It’s a way to identify you as separate entities and helps avoid confusion between your company and the former business.
What are the risks of using a dissolved name?
Customer confusion and perception
The main risk of using the dissolved company’s name is confusion with your company. Customers of the former business may think that your company is the same, even if you’re carrying out different trades or providing different services.
Potential for negative PR
This could harm your business if the company provided poor customer service, received negative press or had outstanding liabilities at its closure.
Access to finance and credit
There is also a small chance it may affect your ability to get loans and credit. If a business receives a county court judgment (CCJ) or a high court judgment against it, the judgment will stay on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for 6 years.
Banks and loan companies use this information to decide whether to give applicants credit or loans. So, if the dissolved company has a judgment against it, it may cause you issues in getting finance approved. You’ll have a different CRN, but you may have to overcome unnecessary hurdles to get approval from the financial institution.
How to assess a dissolved company’s reputation
Given that the reputation of the dissolved company could impact your future success, you’ll want to find out as much as you can before you take its name. But how do you find relevant information? Here are a few routes to explore.
Check filings at Companies House
Have a look at the dissolved company’s last set of accounts. This information is available online under the ‘Filing History’ tab of the Companies House search tool. The accounts can give you a basic idea of the company’s financial situation, including its debts.
You can also check whether any of the directors were disqualified. If they are, that might suggest that the directors mismanaged the company, and you may want to distance your company from that association. You can also search the director disqualification register.
Conduct a credit check
A credit check will highlight any county court judgments (CCJs) or High Court judgments against the business name, which could affect your access to finance in future. You can search the register for a small fee (currently £10 to search all registers).
Search news articles and online mentions
Finally, have a quick look to see what’s around in the public domain. What does a Google search reveal about the company? Are there negative news articles, press releases, or customer reviews?
You’ll get a feel for the business’s reputation, so you can decide whether it would be helpful or harmful if someone inadvertently confused your business with the previous one.
How to register a dissolved company name
Step 1: Check the name
If you plan to use a dissolved company name, you should first check whether it is available for registration. You can do this using Rapid Formations’ free name-check tool or via Companies House. If the name is available, you can use it to:
- Register a new company
- Change the name of an existing company
Step 2: Complete the company registration application
The application includes key details about your company, including its name, its business activities and the details of its directors and shareholders.
Make sure you ask them for their ‘personal codes’ once they have completed the verification. You’ll need everybody’s personal code to complete the registration.
Step 3: Pay the fee
It costs £100 to register a company with Companies House. Once you’ve paid the fee, your company will usually be registered within 24 hours.
Rapid Formations’ all-in-one service
Alternatively, you can ask Rapid Formations to handle everything for you, and we’ll register your company and provide you with all the documents and compliance checks you need.
Is it a good idea?
From a legal point of view, there is nothing stopping you from using the name of a dissolved company. You may have to accept that some people may confuse your company with the previous company while you’re establishing yourself as a business.
For that reason, you want to make sure that there are no red flags associated with the name before you commit. If you’re registering your company, and you’d like some help, our experts at Rapid Formations can take care of everything you need to form your company.
Join The Discussion
Comments (12)
I have a company that I previously voluntarily dissolved. Can I re-register the name under a new number, or will it be a problem that I was a director of the original company?
Thank you for your kind comment.
Firstly, when a company is dissolved, the name becomes available for others to register. If no one has claimed the name since the dissolution, you should be able to re-register it under a new company number. This would essentially create a new legal entity with a fresh start, even though it shares the same name.
As for being the previous director, this shouldn’t cause any problems unless there were unresolved issues such as outstanding debts, investigations, or director disqualifications tied to the old company. However, it’s always a good idea to check with Companies House directly before to avoid any surprises.
Kind regards,
The 1st Formations Team
I am to voluntarily dissolve a Ltd. company as the only director. Is there a way of selling all assets but keeping this company name continually through the process and then beyond?
Dear Neil,
Thank you for your kind comment.
Unfortunately as we are not regulated to provide accountancy advice, we are unable to provide advice on specific scenarios. We would recommend contacting an accountant for further assistance. When it comes to keeping a company name, the only way this can be maintained is by keeping said company active on Companies House. As once the dissolution process is complete, said company name will then become available for use.
Please do let us know if you have any additional questions.
Kind regards,
The Rapid Formations Team
Hello, I used to have a company, which was voluntarily struck off in 2015. Since then, I have had a limited company and I would like to use that company’s name as a “trading as” name. Is this possible, or is it possible to change the current limited company name to the one struck off in 2015?
Thank you for your comment, Mark. You can use the old company’s name as a trading name since trading names are not registered, though this offers less protection. To protect the company name more, you might consider changing it. First, check if the name is available on Companies House here – https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company-name-availability. Additionally, see if the company name is trademarked by searching here – https://www.gov.uk/search-for-trademark.
Kind regards,
The Rapid Formations Team
Can a company operate under a name of a dissolved company that hasn’t been registered as new?
Thank you
Thank you for your kind question.
Once a limited company is dissolved, the name that limited company used at the time of dissolution becomes available for use by another company immediately. Therefore, a completely separate limited company can operate under the company name of a dissolved company.
If you were not associated to the dissolved company in question, we recommend you carry out due diligence regarding the dissolved company, to ensure using the same name would not damage your reputation by association.
I trust this information is of use to you.
Kind regards,
Graeme
Can you transfer a Company name to a new Company?
If not, if you change the name of the existing Company, how long until the old name becomes available to be used or the new Company and how do you ensure someone else does not take the name during the change process?
Hi Nick
Thank you for your question.
You cannot transfer a company name to another company. You must first of all change the name of the existing company. This will normally take 3 to 6 working hours; however, it may take up to 24 hours dependent on Companies House workload.
Once the company name has been changed, and the desired name is no longer attached to a company, it will immediately become available for use with another company. Unfortunately there is no way of ensuring the name is not taken by someone else during the transfer process.
Kind regards,
Graeme
The name I wish to use is dissolved, but as I add the name to the checker, it comes up as name is not available to register, please explain.
Dear Marcel,
Thank you for your message.
Where a company name is listed as not being available, there can be many reasons for this. I would suggest that you call our Customer Service team (020 7871 9990) and advise them of the name you would like and they can check if there are any reasons why the name would not be available.
Best regards,
Rapid Formations Team