Company Name Registration Process in Bangladesh: Complete Legal Guide (2026)
Securing a unique, legally protected corporate name is the foundational first step of company incorporation in Bangladesh. A approved company name reserves your identity on the government register, prevents competitor infringement, and establishes your corporate brand before financial institutions, clients, and regulatory authorities.
This guide details the legal framework, naming guidelines, step-by-step clearance procedure, and common pitfalls involved in the company name registration process in Bangladesh.
1. Statutory Framework Governing Corporate Names
The company name registration process operates primarily under The Companies Act, 1994, administered by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) under the Ministry of Commerce.
In addition to Companies Act rules, business names must comply with trademark and intellectual property standards enforced under The Trademarks Act, 2009, ensuring that registered corporate titles do not infringe upon existing registered trademarks.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ REGULATORY REGISTRY │
├───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤
│ RJSC Portal │ Name Clearance & Entity │
│ (RJSC.gov.bd) │ Reservation (180 Days) │
├───────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────┤
│ DPDT │ Trademark & IP Rights │
│ (Department of Patents) │ Verification │
└───────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘2. Mandatory RJSC Naming Rules & Legal Criteria
Before submitting your proposed company name to the RJSC, ensure it adheres to mandatory statutory parameters:
| Legal Rule / Criteria | Requirement Standard |
|---|---|
| Uniqueness | Must not be identical or deceptively similar to any existing entity registered with the RJSC. |
| Mandatory Suffix | Must end with a statutory corporate suffix: "Limited" or "Ltd." for private limited entities; "PLC" for public entities; "OPC Limited" for One Person Companies. |
| No Prohibited Terms | Cannot contain restricted words such as "National," "Government," "Royal," "State," or names of international bodies (e.g., "UN," "WHO") without express government sanction. |
| Language Rules | Names can be registered in English or Bangla. Transliterated titles must be phonetically accurate and checked for appropriateness. |
| Trademark Non-Infringement | Should not conflict with active registered trademarks in Bangladesh to avoid intellectual property litigation. |
3. Step-by-Step Name Clearance Procedure
Securing your approved corporate name involves a streamlined 5-step process via the RJSC online portal:
1.1. Preliminary Name Availability Search:Search RJSC Database.
Log into the official RJSC digital portal and run a preliminary database search against existing company names and reserved titles to ensure your proposed title is distinct.
2.2. Online Name Clearance Application:Submit 3 Name Options.
Submit a formal online Name Clearance application. You can propose up to 3 alternative name choices ranked in order of preference to increase the likelihood of immediate approval.
3.3. Government Fee Payment:Statutory Payment.
Pay the official statutory name clearance fee (BDT 600 plus 15% VAT per application) through authorized e-payment gateways or designated bank counters.
4.4. RJSC Verification & Review:1–3 Business Days.
RJSC officials review the proposed titles against the register, statutory guidelines, and phonetically similar entity entries.
5.5. Issuance of Name Clearance Certificate:Valid for 180 Days.
Upon approval, the RJSC issues an official digital Name Clearance Certificate. The approved name is legally reserved for 180 days, during which period incorporation documents must be submitted.
4. Key Considerations & Common Rejection Reasons
Legal Advisory: The RJSC automatically rejects applications containing generic descriptive terms without a distinct prefix (e.g., "Trading Limited" or "Logistics Limited"). Always pair industry descriptors with a unique brand name.
Deceptive Similarity: Submitting a name that sounds identical to an existing company (e.g., using "Pharma" instead of "Pharmaceuticals" for a direct competitor) triggers rejection.
Mismatched Corporate Suffixes: Proposing "PLC" for a private entity with only two shareholders breaches statutory definitions.
Inaction During the 180-Day Reservation Window: If incorporation filings are not completed within 180 days, the name reservation expires, and the title becomes available to third parties.
5. Recent Digital Upgrades (2025–2026)
Recent government reforms have enhanced the name clearance ecosystem in Bangladesh:
Automated Preliminary Search: Upgraded RJSC database algorithms detect phonetically similar titles faster, helping applicants refine name choices prior to fee submission.
E-Certificate Issuance: Name Clearance Certificates are issued digitally with verified QR codes, eliminating physical office visits.
Strategic Legal Support for Your Business Formation
Securing a compliant, distinct company name is the first critical milestone in corporate setup.
At The Justice Corner, our corporate law team assists founders with trademark verification, preliminary RJSC searches, name clearance filings, and end-to-end company incorporation.
Contact us today to receive professional guidance for your business setup.