Where do you have to display your limited company name?

When running a limited company, it’s essential to understand your legal obligations as a director. One of the first is knowing where and how to properly display your company name in line with current regulations.

Displaying the company’s registered name

Under the terms of the Companies Act 2006, companies are required to display their name at their registered office, business locations, on documents, and their websites to clearly identify themselves to anyone dealing with them.

The rules also apply to any so-named inspection place – the location where your statutory documents are kept and are available for inspection.

The details are included in the ‘Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 (SI2015/17).

The registered name must also be displayed at all locations where the company conducts business.

Some exceptions to this are as follows:

• You don’t have to display the company’s registered name at your home or any location which is mainly used as your living accommodation.
• If you registered your company at your residential address, then you have to display the company’s registered name at that address.
• If an administrator, receiver or liquidator has been appointed, you are no longer required to display the registered name of the company. However, this exemption applies only at premises under the control of the insolvency professional.
• If the residential addresses of the company directors are covered by a confidentiality order, you must still display the company name at the registered office and any other inspection place (see above).

Make sure your name is clearly visible

People are often surprised to learn that the regulations don’t require you to display the company name on the outside of the building or any other specified place on the property.

However, you are required to ensure the sign is positioned where any visitor can easily see it on your premises and that it is readable to the naked eye.

You must also display the name continuously unless you share the premises with six or more registered companies.

If that’s the case, then the registered name of each company must be kept on a register and be available for inspection as requested. Alternatively, each company should display its registered name once every three minutes for at least 15 seconds.

This display can be digital or rotating signage, as long as it meets the required intervals.

Stationery

It’s important that you also display the registered name of your company on the following:

• All your business letters, company publications and any notices you issue.
• Order forms and orders placed for services, goods and money that are signed by the company.
• Company cheques.
• Promissory notes, bills of exchange and endorsements.
• Invoices and demands for payments.
• Receipts.
• Letters of credit.
• Any other form of business correspondence, including formal business emails and written statements of terms.

Company website and emails

You are required to display the registered name on all of your company websites.

The registered name doesn’t have to be displayed on every page, but should appear where it can be easily seen.

Common placements include the footer or “About Us” page.

If you send an email with an order or business letter attached, include the registered address with all relevant details (see below).

For a straightforward reply or communication, including your company name is sufficient.

However, including your company registration number and address is considered best practice.

Company information

As a private limited company, you are required to display the following information on all company stationery, order forms, and websites.

• Where your company is registered in the UK (England & Wales, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).
• The company’s registered number.
• The address of the registered company.
• State that the company is limited if you have been exempted from having to include the term with the company name
• If you choose to state an individual director’s name on stationery or other business correspondence, you must include the names of any other directors as well.
• If your company is a community interest company or an investment company, you should include this information.
• If your company is registered for VAT, the VAT registration number must be included on all relevant receipts and invoices.
• Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) must comply with similar disclosure rules, tailored to their structure.

For more information, read this guide on the GOV.UK site.