05: Displaying your business name

There are a number of requirements in terms of displaying your business name that you need to be aware of. When you register a limited company, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation showing your company’s registered name and number, and you should not have stationary printed until you are sure that the name is accepted and you are in receipt of these details.

Limited company and limited liability partnership (LLP) names should be displayed outside every place of business - even if it’s a director’s or partner’s home - if that is where the business operates from.

The company or LLP name, registered address and number and place of registration should also be included on all business letters, external e-mails and order forms. The Companies Act 2006 introduced rules for displaying company and LLP details on websites, and these must now show the full company or LLP name, registered office address and number and place of registration.

Full rules regarding displaying company details are available on the Companies House website (www.companieshouse.gov.uk).

Sole traders and partnerships must display their business name, their own name or the names of partners together with their business address - wherever the business is run from, and where customers and suppliers are dealt with. They must also display their business name on all business letters, orders, payments, invoices and other business documents.