The company nxame is one of the key elements of business identification. It reflects positioning, influences how clients and partners perceive the brand, and is used in contracts, analytics, and official correspondence. However, before proceeding with the registration of a legal entity, it is necessary to ensure that the chosen name complies with legal requirements and can be reserved for the future company.

In Belarus, the procedure for approving and reserving a company name is regulated by a specific process, which includes checking uniqueness, compliance with admissibility criteria, and the possibility of preliminary reservation for one month. Without a properly registered name, it is impossible to submit documents for state registration, making this stage a mandatory step for anyone establishing a new business.

In practice, choosing and approving a company name sometimes presents challenges for entrepreneurs. They must consider restrictions on the use of certain words, potential conflicts with already registered companies, nuances of spelling in Russian or Belarusian, and particular requirements for registering names of companies with foreign participation.

This article provides a detailed overview of how company name registration is carried out in the Republic of Belarus, the requirements for a company name, how to correctly submit an application for approval, when online reservation is possible, and common mistakes that lead to refusal.

Requirements for Uniqueness and Compliance with State Regulations

Choosing a company name is one of the key stages in registering a company in Belarus. State authorities impose clear requirements on company names to prevent duplication, misleading representations, and the use of prohibited words. To avoid refusal during registration, it is important to check in advance that the proposed name complies with the established norms.

Uniqueness of a company name within the Republic of Belarus

The name of the company being established must not coincide with the names of already registered legal entities. Verification is conducted using the Unified State Register. Even minor differences that do not affect the perception of the name as distinct (for example, adding the word “plus,” rearranging words, or using a similar sound) may be considered non-compliant. Important points include:

• Coincidence in meaning or phonetics can also be grounds for refusal of name approval.
• Abbreviations, acronyms, or transliterations of existing names are also considered violations.

Compliance with the list of prohibited words and expressions

Belarusian legislation restricts the use of certain terms related to state bodies, international organizations, or types of activities requiring special permission. For example, without proper authorization, it is prohibited to include in a company name:

• Words such as “Belarus,” “national,” “state,” and their foreign equivalents.
• Names of ministries, departments, and government structures.
• Words indicating a type of activity that requires a license (for example, “bank,” “insurance”) if the organization is not authorized to conduct such activity.

These elements may only be used after obtaining special permission or approval from the competent authorities.

Prohibition of misleading formulations

A company name must not create a false impression of the nature of the activity, legal status, or scale of the organization. For example, it is prohibited to indicate the status “association,” “union,” or “committee” if the company does not correspond to such a legal form. Similarly, it is forbidden to use elements that may imply affiliation with state structures without factual grounds.

Compliance with moral and public order norms

The registering authority also checks that the name does not contain words or expressions that contradict moral norms or could harm public interests. This includes:

• Obscene expressions.
• Offensive formulations.
• Extremist or politically provocative terminology.

Mandatory Elements and Permitted Name Formats

Every legal entity must have a full official name. It includes:

• The organizational and legal form (for example, limited liability company, unitary enterprise, closed joint-stock company, etc.).
• The actual company name, which distinguishes the company from other entities.

Permitted name formats:

• The full name is indicated completely: Limited Liability Company “Alpha.”
• An abbreviated name is allowed if provided by the company’s charter: LLC “Alpha.”
• A foreign equivalent is allowed if it corresponds in meaning to the main name: Alfa LLC.

It is important that all variations are consistent and do not contain semantic contradictions.

Use of Foreign Words

The use of foreign words in a company name is permitted under certain conditions:

• Foreign elements must be correctly transliterated or accurately reproduced.
• The foreign part must not contain prohibited terms or violate general uniqueness requirements.
• Translation or semantic equivalence must be clear — the registering authority may request confirmation of the meaning of the word.
• Foreign references to state status, international organizations, or activities requiring special permits cannot be used without proper approval.

If a company intends to operate in international markets, it is recommended to include a foreign equivalent of the name from the outset to avoid future changes.

Requirements for Names in Russian and Belarusian

A company name may be:

• Only in Russian.
• Only in Belarusian.
• In both languages simultaneously, with both versions being equivalent in meaning and correctly written.

Regulatory requirements:

• Compliance with spelling and grammar rules.
• No unacceptable symbols, abbreviations, or non-standard characters.
• Accurate indication of the organizational and legal form in the chosen language.
• Consistency of all name versions in charter documents, applications, and supporting materials.

If both languages are used, both names must be included in the charter. Any inconsistency between the Russian and Belarusian versions is considered a violation and may lead to refusal of registration.

Checking the Uniqueness of a Company Name

Before submitting documents for registration, it is important to ensure that the chosen company name is available and does not infringe on the rights of other legal entities. Checking for uniqueness helps to avoid refusal of state registration and the loss of time. The procedure is simple, but it requires attention, especially when using foreign words, abbreviations, or complex constructions.

How to Check Independently Whether a Name Is Taken

In practice, several methods are used for preliminary verification:

• Search through the online service of the EGR, searching by words or parts of words allows you to see if there are companies with identical or similar names.
• Independent verification is not an official confirmation but significantly reduces the likelihood of refusal.

Features of Matching Registered Legal Entities

If a company with an identical name (in any language) already exists in the register, the registering authority will reject the application. When evaluating similarity, the following are considered:

• Exact match of words.
• The order and number of words.
• Presence of additional elements that do not change the semantic structure (for example, “Group,” “Systems,” “Plus”).

Adding separate words, symbols, or rearranging parts does not make a name new if the perception remains the same.

Russian and Belarusian versions are also taken into account: if one language coincides, this violates the uniqueness requirement.

Similarity to the Point of Confusion and Common Mistakes

In addition to an exact match, there is the concept of similarity to the point of confusion. These are situations when the name formally differs but is perceived as analogous to an existing one. Typical mistakes include:

• Using synonyms or related words (“TechnoPro” and “TechPro”).
• Changing the word order (“BelTechService” and “TechServiceBel”).
• Replacing letters with Latin equivalents or numbers (“Alpha” → “Alpha,” “A1pha”).
• Adding insignificant elements that do not affect uniqueness (“Alpha Group,” “Alpha Plus,” “Alpha Systems”).
• Using transliteration that visually or phonetically matches an already registered name.

The registering authority evaluates the perception of the name as a whole, so attempts to “bypass” uniqueness through cosmetic changes do not work.

Requirements When Multiple Name Options Exist

If the founders have several name options, it is recommended to:

• Check each option through the register — sometimes an unexpected variant is available.
• Assess similarity risks: even if the name is available, it may be too similar to an existing brand or legal entity, which could create problems in the future.
• Determine a primary and a backup option. This allows for quickly replacing the name if the registering authority refuses approval.
• Plan the Russian and Belarusian versions in advance — inconsistencies between them are considered violations.

If there are doubts, it is better to assess each option with a lawyer beforehand to avoid repeated procedures.

Procedure for Name Approval and Reservation

Before registering a legal entity, the chosen company name must be approved by the registering authority. This procedure allows the name to be secured for the future company and prevents it from being used by another party. Approval is carried out quickly, but it is important to submit the application correctly and meet formal requirements.

Necessity of Preliminary Approval

Preliminary approval is required to:

• Verify uniqueness and compliance with legal requirements.
• Reserve the name and ensure that no one else can register a company with the same name during its validity period.
• Avoid refusal of state registration at the final stage.

Without preliminary approval, the name is considered unreserved, and state registration of the company is impossible.

Methods of Submitting an Application for Approval: In-Person or Online

An application for approval can be submitted in two ways:

• In person: at the registering authority where the company is intended to be registered. The founder or their representative submits the application in the prescribed form and receives a decision in paper form.
• Online: via the EGR electronic service, which is the most convenient option for Belarusian and foreign founders. The application is submitted remotely, and the result is sent electronically.

Online submission avoids visits to government offices, saves time, and allows quick adjustments to name options if necessary.

Reservation Period and Possibility of Extension

An approved name is reserved for one month. During this period, the founder may submit documents for the registration of a legal entity and indicate this name in them.

If the founders are unable to complete document preparation within this time, it is possible to:

• Resubmit an application for approval.
• Obtain a new reservation period under the same conditions.

Automatic extension is not provided; it is necessary to submit a new application, so careful planning of registration preparation timelines is important.

Grounds for Refusal of Approval

The registering authority will refuse approval if:

• The chosen name coincides with a name of an already registered legal entity.
• The name is similar to the point of confusion with an existing name.
• The name contains words or elements whose use is restricted or prohibited (for example, references to government bodies or special types of activities).
• The name misleads regarding the form, status, or nature of activity.
• Incorrect abbreviations, spelling errors, or prohibited symbols are used.
• The requirements for the Russian or Belarusian version of the name are violated.

Refusal does not prevent resubmission — founders can choose a different name or correct the existing one.

Practical Recommendations for Choosing and Registering a Name

A proper approach to choosing a company name minimizes the risk of refusal, avoids disputes with existing companies, and ensures long-term brand sustainability. At the stage of selecting a name, it is important to consider not only legal requirements but also the strategic goals of the business.

How to Select a Reliable and Legally Compliant Name

To increase the chances of successful approval, it is recommended to:

• Avoid overly generic formulations that are common in the register (“Service,” “Techno,” “Profi”).
• Choose unique combinations of words that are easily identifiable and phonetically and visually distinct.
• Check the correctness of spelling in Russian and Belarusian — inconsistencies can lead to refusal.
• Consider the long-term suitability of the name: it should fit the company not only at launch but also during expansion.

A legally compliant name does not contain prohibited or restricted elements, does not mislead consumers, and does not duplicate the structure of government bodies.

How to Avoid Conflicts with Existing Companies and Brands

Even if the name is available in the EGR, it may be too similar to an existing organization or well-known brand. To avoid claims:

• Conduct an extended search — not only through the EGR, but also through trademarks, corporate directories, and search engines.
• Evaluate associations and sound: sometimes the name does not match completely but creates the impression of a connection with another company.
• Check brand designations through online trademark databases — even if the company is not registered in Belarus, its brand may be protected.
• Avoid imitating well-known names, even if it does not formally violate the law: this can create reputational risks.

Such preliminary verification minimizes the likelihood of disputes and demands for renaming in the future.

When to Reserve Multiple Options

Reserving multiple options may be reasonable in the following situations:

• High likelihood of refusal due to the presence of similar names.
• Use of foreign words, transliterations, or terms that require careful evaluation.
• Founders wish to maintain a theme but allow flexibility (for example, “TechNova,” “NovaTech,” “NovaLabs”).
• Tight registration timelines, when it is important to immediately have an alternative without repeating application preparation.

Usually, one primary and one backup option is sufficient. This simplifies formal procedures and accelerates the company launch.

Benefits of Legal Support

Legal support during the selection and reservation of a name helps to avoid most typical mistakes. Professional guidance allows:

• Correct assessment of similarity risks and similarity to the point of confusion.
• Verification of the name’s compliance with all formal legal requirements.
• Selection of a legally safe and unique option.
• Proper submission of the approval application — in person or online.
• Quick response to potential refusal and preparation of alternative options.

For foreign founders, legal support is especially important: it helps overcome language barriers, correctly prepare Russian and Belarusian name versions, and avoid misunderstandings with local rules.

Conclusion

Choosing and registering a company name is not just a formal step in creating a company, but an important part of future business positioning. A properly selected and timely reserved name helps to avoid registration refusals, disputes with other organizations, and the need to change the brand after starting operations. Careful preliminary verification, compliance with legal requirements, and understanding of registration nuances significantly accelerate the process and make it predictable.

The Ambylegal team supports entrepreneurs at all stages of name selection and approval: we assess the legal purity of the chosen option, check its uniqueness, select alternatives, handle reservation, and accompany further state registration. This allows our clients to focus on launching their business without delving into legal details.

Contact us

If you have any questions related to choosing and registering a company name in Belarus, we will be happy to help! Our long-term experience will help you choose a lawyer to represent your interests.

• +37529142-27-19 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram);
• info@ambylegal.by.