Set up a business partnership

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Naming your partnership

You can trade under your own names, or you can choose another name for your business. You do not need to register your name.

You must include all the partners’ names and the business name (if you have one) on official paperwork, for example invoices and letters.

Business names

Business partnership names must not:

  • include ‘limited’, ‘Ltd’, ‘limited liability partnership, ‘LLP’, ‘public limited company’ or ‘plc’
  • be offensive
  • be the same as an existing trade mark

Your name also cannot contain a ‘sensitive’ word or expression, or suggest a connection with government or local authorities, unless you get permission.

Example

To use ‘Accredited’ in your company’s name, you need permission from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

Check which words you need permission to use, and who from.

You’ll need to register your name as a trade mark if you want to stop people from trading under your business name.