You have spent time choosing a business name. It feels right. It reflects your brand, it is easy to remember, and you are ready to register. Then you discover someone already registered it three years ago.
That disappointment is avoidable. The Corporate Affairs Commission provides a name availability search tool that anyone can use before spending a naira on registration. The process takes minutes and saves you from starting the entire registration process with a name that will get rejected.
Here is exactly how to check, what to watch out for, and what comes next once you confirm your name is free.
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Why Name Availability Matters
CAC will not register two entities under the same name or under names that are deceptively similar to each other. If you submit a name that is already taken, or one that looks and sounds close enough to an existing registration, your application gets rejected and you lose the name reservation fee.
Even if a name does not appear in the public search, it could still be reserved by another applicant in the CAC system. This is why checking availability is only the first step, not the final confirmation. Reservation is what locks the name for you.
Method 1: The CAC Public Search Portal
The fastest and most accessible way to check is through CAC’s public search tool. Visit the Corporate Affairs Commission official website at search.cac.gov.ng/home and enter the name you want to check.
Type in your proposed name and run the search. The system will return a list of existing registrations that match or closely resemble what you entered. If nothing comes up, the name is likely available — though not guaranteed until you reserve it.
This portal is free to use. You do not need to create an account or log in. It is purely a search tool, not a registration platform.
Method 2: Searching Through the Pre-Registration Portal
The public search tool at search.cac.gov.ng is good for a quick check. For a more thorough look before you commit to a name, you can also use the Public Search or Entity Search feature within the company registration portal at pre.cac.gov.ng.
This route is particularly useful if you are already setting up your CAC account ahead of registration, since you can check names and move directly into the reservation step from the same platform.
Method 3: Visiting a CAC Office
Not everyone has reliable internet access or feels comfortable navigating government portals. You can also verify the availability of your chosen name by visiting any CAC office nationwide.
Staff at CAC offices can run a name search on your behalf. This option adds travel time and may involve a short wait, but it works as a fallback for anyone who wants a confirmation from a physical office rather than a website.
Method 4: Using a CAC Accredited Agent
If you’re unfamiliar with the process, you can engage a CAC Accredited Agent to run the name search and handle the reservation on your behalf. Many agents offer this as part of a broader registration package.
This is worth considering if your proposed name is in a restricted or sensitive category, such as names that include words like “Bank,” “Insurance,” “Federal,” or “National,” since these require additional approvals and an agent can flag that upfront rather than after you have already paid a reservation fee.
Names That CAC Will Reject
Checking availability is about more than confirming no one else has your name. CAC also applies rules about what kinds of names are acceptable. The CAC will reject or query a name that is identical or deceptively similar to a registered business or company name, contains restricted words without approval — including “Federal,” “National,” “Government,” “State,” “Municipal,” “Chartered,” “Bank,” “Insurance,” or “Trust” — is offensive, vulgar, or contrary to public policy, or implies a connection with the Nigerian government or royalty without evidence.
If your proposed name falls into any of these categories, it will be rejected even if no existing entity is using it. Factor this in before settling on a name.
What Happens After You Confirm Availability
Confirming a name is available does not reserve it. Someone else can register that same name while you are still gathering your documents.
Once confirmed as available, proceed to reserve the name by paying a nominal fee. Keep the name availability code provided by the system — it is essential for the next stages. Name reservation locks your chosen name for 60 days while you complete the registration forms.
The cost of a business name search at CAC is ₦500. The reservation fee is separate from the search fee and varies depending on your business structure. Both payments go through CAC’s approved payment channels rather than directly to any office or agent.
Always have a backup name ready. Even if your search shows nothing, the reservation step can still fail if another applicant reserved the same name moments before you did.
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Let our team handle your CAC registration and help you obtain your certificate without stress. From business name registration to company incorporation.
Step-by-Step Summary
| Step | Action | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Search for your proposed name | search.cac.gov.ng |
| 2 | Check for similar or identical names in results | Same portal |
| 3 | If available, proceed to the pre-registration portal | pre.cac.gov.ng |
| 4 | Create an account or log in | pre.cac.gov.ng |
| 5 | Pay the name search fee (₦500) and reservation fee | CAC approved payment channels |
| 6 | Receive your name availability code | Portal confirmation |
| 7 | Complete registration within 60 days | pre.cac.gov.ng |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CAC name search free?
The public search on search.cac.gov.ng is free to use. The formal name search that generates an availability code costs ₦500. The reservation fee, which locks the name for 60 days, is a separate charge that depends on your business structure.
How long does a CAC name reservation last?
Once you reserve a name and pay the fee, the reservation is valid for 60 days. If you do not complete registration within that window, the reservation lapses and the name becomes available for someone else to claim.
Can two businesses have the same CAC name?
No. CAC does not allow two entities to register under identical names or under names that are deceptively similar. This protection is one of the main reasons to run a name check before investing time and money in registration.
What if my name comes up in the search but the business is old and inactive?
A name belonging to a struck-off or inactive company may still appear in the search results. Struck-off names can be re-registered, but the process takes additional steps. If the name you want is attached to an inactive company, you will need to go through a different process to claim it rather than simply registering it as new.
Can I check if someone else owns a specific business name?
Yes. Go to search.cac.gov.ng and enter the name. Confirm a match exists. Cross-check the RC number: if the name matches, then search by the RC number they provided. This is also useful for verifying whether a company someone is about to do business with is legitimately registered.
What does “deceptively similar” mean for CAC purposes?
A name is deceptively similar if it is close enough to an existing registered name that members of the public could reasonably confuse the two entities. This includes phonetic similarities, slight spelling differences, and names that share a distinctive word with a registered business. CAC assessors make this judgement during the review stage.
Conclusion: Check First, Register Second
The CAC name search is one of the easiest parts of the business registration process. It costs nothing to check the public portal, takes a few minutes, and protects you from building an identity around a name you cannot legally use.
Run the search before you print anything, before you create social media accounts, and certainly before you pay for a logo. Once you confirm availability, move quickly to reservation. Sixty days is enough time to complete registration if your documents are ready, and keeping a backup name on hand means a failed first choice does not have to derail your timeline.
Obtain Your CAC Certificate
Let our team handle your CAC registration and help you obtain your certificate without stress. From business name registration to company incorporation.
