Everything Entrepreneurs Must Know About Company Name Approval

Preface: This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated on July 28, 2025, to provide you with the most current and accurate information.

Before registering any company in India, a crucial decision is to choose a name for it. After deciding the name, it is important to check company name availability. Once you have ensured the name is available, you can move forward with seeking approval for it from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

In this blog post, we shall discuss the process for seeking approval for a proposed business name in India. So, if you’re planning to set up a company anytime in the near future, we recommend you to read this post. 

Name Approval of Company: Explained

Company name approval refers to the process of obtaining MCA’s approval for a proposed name for a new company. Choosing a name for a company is crucial for individuals looking to start a business, and securing approval for that name is even more important. 

The approval process ensures that the name chosen for the company is unique and complies with the legal requirements. Whenever individuals want to set up a private limited company, one person company, public limited company or any other business entity under Companies Act 2013, they must choose a name for the company that is distinct and not similar to an already existing name of a company. 

The process for approval for the proposed business name ensures that such a name is not already in use by another existing business entity, thus preventing trademark infringements and legal violations.

Documents Required for Name Approval

To get approval for the name chosen for a company, the primary document required is SPICe+ form, specifically Part A of the form. There’s no mandatory requirement to attach any document with this form. 

However, you can attach a No Objection Certificate from an existing company or other necessary documents to support the name application.

Company Name Approval Process

The procedure for securing approval for a company name is as follows:

Step 1: Checking Proposed Business Name’s Availability

When deciding upon the business name, you must ensure it complies with the guidelines of MCA and is available for registration. Before you apply for approval for the name, you should conduct a search on the MCA portal to confirm the name availability. 

If the name already exists, it’ll show up on the MCA portal in search results. If the name doesn’t exist, then you can proceed further and seek MCA’s approval for it. If you need expert advice on choosing an effective company name, you can connect with our consultants at Registrationwala.

Step 2: Filling Out Details in SPICe+ 

Now, you need to fill out SPICe+ form for the name’s approval. This form requires basic details like the type of company, proposed name for company, registered office address, etc. To access the form, you need to visit the official MCA portal and login using your credentials.

After you have logged in, you need to click on the MCA services tab and select SPICe+. After filling out basic details, you must select appropriate forms and attachments for the application. For the business name’s approval, you must choose ‘Part A - Company Name Approval’ and complete the necessary details. Thereafter, you must review the application and make sure you have filled in the details correctly. Then, file the application by paying prescribed company name approval fees via MCA portal. 

Once you file the application, wait for approval. The company name approval time generally takes 3-4 days, provided that the application is complete and contains accurate details.

Conclusion

To seek name approval for a company, you need to fill out SPICe+ form. To access this form, you need to log into the official MCA portal. After seeking approval for the name, you can proceed with the company incorporation process. It’s important to choose a distinct and relevant name for your business to establish a strong and unique brand image as well as to avoid potential legal disputes. For assistance in choosing a business name for your company, you can connect with the Registrationwala’s company registration advisors!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How to check company name approval status?

A. To check the approval status of the business name in India, you need to visit the MCA portal and use the company search tool. In this tool, you can enter the name of the company or the Corporate Identification Number (CIN). The tool will display the approval status of the business name.

Q2. Who gives approval to the name of the company?

A. The Registrar of Companies (ROC), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), gives approval to the name of the company.

Q3. Which form needs to be filed to seek approval for a proposed business name?

A. The SPICe+ form needs to be filed to seek approval for a proposed name for a business.

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.