Registering a business
The following is provided for information purposes only on registering a business in Ireland.
The competent authority for registering a business is the Companies Registration Office
The Companies Registration Office should be contacted directly for all queries in relation to registering a business.
Where a company is trading in Ireland, or an individual is trading in Ireland under anything other than their own natural name, they must register with the relevant competent authority in Ireland, the Companies Registration Office.
Registration can take the form of a business name, company, or, where a company has already been incorporated in another country, a branch or place of business.
The company / individual themselves must decide how they want to register.
However they decide to register, they must have a place of business in Ireland before their application can be accepted by the Companies Registration Office.
Please find link below to the Companies Registration Office website
The Companies Registration Office
Information is provided in the links below on the Companies Registration Office website for registering a business in Ireland
Registering a business name
To register a business name, the following forms must be submitted, along with the registration fee to the Companies Registration Office within one month of adopting the business name:
• Form RBN1: for an individual
• Form RBN1A: for a partnership
• Form RBN1B: for a company
More information on registering a business name and the relevant forms is available in the link below on the Companies Registration Office
If registering a business name online, the relevant forms must be printed off in hard copy, signed and sent to the Companies Registration Office.
Please find below link on the Companies Registration Office website for registering a business name online.
Registering a company
For registering a company the following forms must be submitted to the Companies Registration Office
- An A1 form / 'Application to incorporate a limited company' has to be completed by the applicant and witnessed by a solicitor, or a peace commissioners.
- The application must be accompanied by the company's memorandum and articles of association.
More information on registering a company and the relevant forms is available in the links below on the Companies Registration Office
Registration of a foreign company
For registering a foreign company the following forms must be submitted to the Companies Registration Office
- The relevant application form for registering a foreign company and copies of registration certificate, accounts, memorandum and articles of association, from the country of incorporation.
More information on registering a foreign company and the relevant forms is available in the link below on the Companies Registration Office
Frequently asked questions
Information on frequently asked questions is available in the link below on the Companies Registration Office
Downloadable forms
Information on downloadable forms is available in the link below on the Companies Registration Office
Contact the Companies Registration Office
Please find contact details for the Companies Registration Office below.
