Company name check in Hong Kong

Finding the perfect company name is the first step in starting your business in Hong Kong. Our company name search tool uses the Hong Kong Companies Registry’s (CR) platform for official verification.

Use our free tool to check company name in Hong Kong and get quick results on name availability. While official comprehensive searches with the Companies Registry (CR) may involve fees, our initial process offers a complimentary and efficient way to see if your desired name is likely available, providing quick results to kickstart your company formation.

The journey of incorporating in Hong Kong typically commences with the crucial task of brainstorming a compliant and impactful business name. For many founders, the subsequent step involves choosing a limited company structure, the prevalent model that grants access to Hong Kong’s comprehensive tax advantages and concessions, including the significant free trade arrangement with Mainland China, thereby facilitating the enjoyment of these financial perks.

Hong Kong Company Name Choice Rules

• Name Availability Check: Ensure your desired Hong Kong company name is unique and not already registered. Use our free tool to check the availability of a company name in Hong Kong.
• Permitted Languages for Hong Kong Company Names: You can choose a Hong Kong company name in English, Chinese, or both English and Chinese. However, mixing English and Chinese characters within a single name is prohibited under Hong Kong company name rules. Avoid other languages and Simplified Chinese. Wrong characters can give “no match.” This may lead to your name being rejected. Check your language to get correct results.
• Limited” Requirement for Hong Kong Companies: If you choose an English Hong Kong company name, it must end with “Limited” (or its Chinese equivalent). According to Hong Kong company name rules, abbreviated forms like “Ltd” are unacceptable.
• Restrictions on Government-Related Hong Kong Company Names: Hong Kong company name rules prohibit using names that could suggest an affiliation with the Hong Kong government or any government department.
• Correctness and Avoiding Offensive Hong Kong Company Names: Choosing a Hong Kong company name must be appropriate. Using any names that could be offensive or otherwise contrary to the public interest or its use would constitute a criminal offence is restricted.

Other things to remember while searching for the Company’s name

• Official Confirmation: Remember that the availability of a company name checked through the search tool is not a final confirmation. The name is officially approved for registration only after the Hong Kong Companies Registry processes your application documents.
• Trademark Search: Before deciding on your company name, check if someone else already has a trademark. The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department has a website where you can search. This helps you avoid legal trouble later if your name is too similar to a trademarked name. Take a moment to search before you finalize your choice. Kindly note that a trademark doesn’t equal a company name. They are not the same by definition but it can be related.

Change Name for Your Hong Kong Company

If your current Hong Kong company needs a new name, you must first agree on it through a Special Resolution. Then, send this resolution to the Registrar. After they approve it, you have two weeks (15 days) to submit a “Notice of Company Name Change” with your new choice. Make sure the new name hasn’t already been taken. Startupr offers this as a dedicated service – save your time and order now.

Change of the Company Name

How do you check the availability of Hong Kong company names?

Ensuring your desired unique company name is the first crucial step in your Hong Kong business registration. The Startupr website conveniently offers a Hong Kong name search feature, which allows you to easily verify whether your chosen name is registered or pending registration. Using a name identical or too similar to an existing or soon-to-be registered company is not permitted.

Generally, company names are doled out on a first come, first-served basis. If your proposed company name has already been registered or is proposed to be registered by another company, your application for that company name will be rejected.

Here’s how to check the availability of your Hong Kong company name:

1. Access the Startupr Name Search Tool: Navigate to the Hong Kong name search option on the top of this page
2. Enter Your Complete Company Name: In the search field, type the full and exact company name you wish to use. This is crucial for accurate results.
3. Include All Details: Be sure to include all punctuation marks, spaces, and the required ending term (e.g., “Limited,” “有限公司,” “Company,” “公司,” “Company Limited”).
4. Initiate the Search: Click the search button to check the availability of the Hong Kong company name.
5. Review the Results: The tool will indicate whether the exact name you entered is currently in use or too similar to existing registered names.

Startupr’s website lets you quickly check if your Hong Kong company name is available. This free tool helps you follow the rules. Then, you can easily register your business.

Can I Select Any Name for My Hong Kong Company?

While you might have a dream name for your Hong Kong company, registration isn’t always straightforward. Several rules exist, meaning you can’t choose just anything.
Generally, the Hong Kong Companies Registry will reject a name if it:

• Is identical to an existing registered company name.
• It is the same as the name of a statutory body.
• It could be a criminal offense if used.
• Is offensive or against public interest.
• If your company name looks or sounds too much like another one, which could confuse people or break a court order, the government can tell you to change it. If you don’t, you might have to pay a fine.

Furthermore, you’ll need the Registrar’s approval for names that:

• Contain specific restricted words or expressions listed in the Companies Order.
• Suggest a connection to the Hong Kong or Chinese government.

Lastly, if a company name was once ordered to be changed, you generally can’t register that same name again unless you get special approval. This rule and others help stop confusion with trademarks and famous brand names. Always check the official Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies for complete details before registering your chosen name.

Examples of Restricted Words for Hong Kong Company Name Registration

Many name restrictions in Hong Kong need to be followed strictly. Most of the penalties have been shared above, and the rules for the type of names would not be accepted. You will find examples of names that are unacceptable for a Hong Kong business here. The following are some words or names that would need prior approval of the Companies Registry:

• Trust
• Trustee
• Kaifong
• Chamber of Commerce
• Levy
• Tourism Board
• Tourist Association
• Savings
• 受託
• 信託
• 旅遊發展局
• 商會
• 街坊
• 徵費
• 儲蓄

Situations Leading to Company Name Registration Refusal in Hong Kong

In contemplating if two company names are alike, the Registrar would consider all the circumstances and parts that suggest the similarity, which could also confuse. The factors would be the evidence of uncertainty, the awareness of the names concerned for the public, the nature of the businesses involved, etc.

As per the Registrar, the names of a company can be too alike if:

• The names are phonetically and/or visually identical or similar.
• There is a slight disparity in the spelling of the names, and the variations do not make much of a difference. For instance, there are grammatical variations like trading or trade, adding “s” or “es” at the end of the word, etc.
• The name has a word that is a characteristic element unless it is used in a way that minimizes the risk of confusion. Define the word characteristic, also called distinctive words, words like “non-dictionary English words,” “unusual combinations of two or more letters as a key part,” or even “English made-up words.”

Place names or any everyday-use word would not be categorized under this. Similar business descriptive elements, for example, the use of one name of only a “weak” or general qualification like services, group, holding, international, etc., or even words like staff agency or employment agency, press or printing, etc., would not be regarded as sufficient distinction.

Examples of name restrictions in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Companies Registry may refuse the registration of a company name if it is deemed too similar to an existing registered name, potentially confusing. Here are some illustrative examples based on the Registrar’s guidelines:

Names that are same like:

• BRIGHTON TECHNOLOGIES CO. LIMITED vs. BRIGHTON TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
• 發達(貿易)有限公司 vs. 發達貿易有限公司

Phonetically identical names like:

• VISIONARY CORP LIMITED vs. VISINARY CORP LIMITED
• ALPHAMED SOLUTIONS LIMITED vs. ALPHA-MED SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• 興隆企業有限公司 vs. 興龍企業有限公司

Names where there is a slight difference in spelling that does not mark it as a significant difference like:

• STELLARIS INNOVATIONS LIMITED vs. STELLARUS INNOVATIONS LIMITED
• 美儂有限公司 vs. 美濃有限公司

Grammatical differences that are not notable include:

• GLOBAL VENTURE GROUP LIMITED vs. GLOBAL VENTURES GROUP LIMITED

Names that have an identical distinctive element like:

• Sufficiently qualified names – QUANTUM ROBOTICS MANUFACTURING LIMITED vs. QUANTUM ROBOTICS SOFTWARE LIMITED
• Names that are not sufficiently qualified – NOVA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED vs. NOVA DIGITAL LIMITED, or PEAK PERFORMANCE TRAINING LIMITED vs. PEAK PERFORMANCE PRESS LIMITED, or 禾豐印刷有限公司 vs. 禾豐印務有限公司

Names with expressions and words that are taken as the same, like:

• “and” and “&,” or “Hong Kong,” “Hongkong” and “HK,” or “Far East” and “FE.” Company name examples are ACE & CO. LIMITED vs. ACE AND CO. LIMITED

If the Registrar is satisfied and there is a use of two interchangeably Chinese characters like:

• 恆=恒;
• 峯=峰: 匯=滙

Sector-Specific Restrictions on Hong Kong Company Names

In some cases, the other legislation administers expressions and words in a company name, and the inappropriate use will establish a criminal offense. The examples of these name restrictions in Hong Kong are:

• Under the Banking Ordinance (Cap. 155), using “Bank” (銀行) in a company name is an offense unless the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has given permission.
• Under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571), no person can utilize the name “Unified Exchange” (聯合交易所), “Stock Exchange” (證券交易所), or other variations, other than the Exchange Company (交易所). Use of it otherwise is a criminal offense.
• As per the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap. 50), other than the corporate practice, no other company can use the word in its name – the initials “PA,” “CPA,” “CPA (practicing),” or the words “public accountant,” “certified public accountant,” “certified public accountant (practising),” or the characters “審計師,” “核數師,” “註冊核數師,” “會計師,” or “執業會計師.”

Company Structure for Hong Kong Company Formation

Understanding the fundamental elements of your company structure is crucial when undertaking Hong Kong company formation. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements:

• Mandatory Appointments: For every newly formed company in Hong Kong, the company structure necessitates the appointment of: At least one director must be a natural person (an individual) and one company secretary.
• Director Requirements (Residency): A key aspect of Hong Kong company formation’s director requirements is that the director is not required to be a Hong Kong resident.
• Registered Office: Your company’s registered office, a fundamental part of its structure, must be physically located in Hong Kong.
• Startupr’s Process: Startupr will not proceed with reserving your chosen business name or filing the entity details (defining your company structure) with the Companies Registry of Hong Kong until an order has been placed.
• Secure Your Business Name: To ensure another entity does not register your desired business name during their Hong Kong company formation, get started and place your order with Startupr today. This secures your initial company structure intentions.

Ready to Choose? Check Company Name Availability and Register Now

Now that you have a good idea about the words or phrases that you can use for the name or phrases, you can decide on the name for the company. Simply type it in the search option on the Startupr website to check if it is already in use. You do not need to worry about any fees, as this service is free to use!

Register Company Now

FAQs

Navigating the process of choosing and registering your company name in Hong Kong can raise several questions. We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions to guide you through this critical first step in establishing your business.

How can my desired Hong Kong company name be available?

You can quickly check the availability of your proposed company name using the free Hong Kong name search tool on our Startupr website. Simply type in the full and exact name you wish to use.

Is the Startupr company name check tool free to use?

Yes, the initial company name check in Hong Kong using the tool on the Startupr website is free of charge. This allows you to see if your desired name is likely available quickly. Please note that official comprehensive searches directly with the Hong Kong Companies Registry (CR) may involve fees, but our initial tool offers a complimentary and efficient check.

What kind of names are permitted for a Hong Kong company?

Your Hong Kong company name can be in English, Traditional Chinese, or both (as separate names). Mixing English and Chinese characters within a single word is not allowed. If you choose an English name, it must end with “Limited” (or its Chinese equivalent). Abbreviations like “Ltd” are not acceptable.

Are there any restrictions on the types of names I can choose for my Hong Kong company?

Yes, there are several restrictions. Generally, the Hong Kong Companies Registry will reject names identical or too similar to existing registered names, the names of statutory bodies, those that could constitute a criminal offense, or offensive names against public interest. Names suggesting a connection to the Hong Kong or Chinese government, or containing specific restricted words also require prior approval.

What examples of names might be considered “too alike”?

Names with minor structural differences (e.g., “Co. Limited” vs. “Limited”), phonetically identical names (sound the same), names with insignificant spelling variations, minor grammatical differences, and names sharing a dominant distinctive element without sufficient qualification can be deemed “too alike.” Refer to the “Examples of the name restrictions in Hong Kong” section for specific illustrations.

What if I change the name of my existing Hong Kong company?

To change your company name, pass a Special Resolution and submit it to the Registrar of Companies. Within 15 days of the resolution’s approval, you must file a Notice of Company Name Change with your new, available name.

What are the basic requirements for the company structure of a new Hong Kong company?

Every new Hong Kong company must appoint at least one director (a natural person) and one company secretary. The director does not need to be a Hong Kong resident, but the company must have a registered office in Hong Kong.