Name Related Services

The Registration of Business Names Act is an Act which provides for the registration of individuals and firms to carry on business under business names.

A “business name” means the name or style under which any business is carried on whether in partnership or otherwise.

In essence, the Act requires every individual or firm having a place of business and carrying on business under a business name which does not consist of the true surname, or the true surnames of the partners, or the corporate name of all the partners who are corporations to register the business name in accordance with the Act.

Every individual or firm having a place of business in Barbados and carrying on business under a business name which does not consist of their true name is required to register that name with the Registrar within fourteen (14) days after the commencement of business.

“Individual” means a natural person and does not include a corporation.

“Firm” means an unincorporated body of two or more individuals, or one or more individuals and one or more corporations, or two or more corporations, who have entered into partnership with one another with a view to carrying on business for profit, but does not include any unincorporated company which was in existence on the 26th day of January, 1882.

“Foreign firm” means any firm, individual, or corporation whose principal place of business is situated outside the Commonwealth.

The following particulars are required:

1. Name of the Business; General Nature of Business; Principal Place of Business; Full Name, Address, Nationality and Occupation of each individual; and where a company is to be registered as a partner of a firm, the Name and Registered Office of the Company.
2. Additional particulars for nominee/trustee: present Christian name and surname, any former name, nationality, nationality of origin, usual residence or corporate name of every person/corporation on whose behalf the business is carried on.
3. Additional particulars for general agent of a foreign firm: business name and address of the firm or person as agent.
4. Application must be in the prescribed form (Form 1 or 2) and signed by all individuals or, for a corporation, by a director or the Secretary.

1. Registration of a business name does not confer separate legal personality. The individual or firm remains personally liable.
2. A company can only be registered as a partner of a “firm” and not by itself unless it is a “foreign firm” or acting as trustee or nominee.