Before you start
Have three names ready, in order of preference. PACRA rejects names for reasons that are not always obvious — too similar to an existing registration, containing a restricted word, or implying an activity you are not licensed for. Having alternatives saves a second application.The wizard
Name clearance runs as a three-step wizard.1
Step 1 — Business details
You specify what you are forming and what you want to call it.
2
Step 2 — Name review
Bumara checks each proposed name against the PACRA register live.For each name you see whether it appears available, how many similar registrations exist, and
the similar names themselves so you can judge whether yours is distinct enough.You can refresh an individual name check, or go back and change a name before continuing.
3
Step 3 — Confirm and submit
A summary of everything you entered, with the fee for your business type.Read the summary properly. The names are submitted exactly as typed, including spelling and
punctuation. Submitting creates the service request and takes you to its detail page.
Fees
Bumara’s handling fee is added and shown separately. See Paying fees.
PACRA sets these fees and changes them from time to time. The figures above are a guide — the
amount shown on your actual request is the one that applies.
What the availability check does and does not tell you
The check searches the PACRA register for identical and similar names. It is a strong indicator, not a guarantee.
A name that shows as available can still be rejected. That is why you submit alternatives.
After you submit
1
Your checklist appears
Name clearance has a short checklist — reviewing your name choices, and confirming your entity
type. The review task completes automatically when you submit the form.
2
Complete the remaining tasks
Usually just confirming your entity type. See Working a task.
3
Pay the fee
The request sits at Awaiting payment until the fee is verified.
4
Request submission
Bumara lodges the application with PACRA.
5
Wait for PACRA's decision
You are notified when it arrives. Turnaround varies with PACRA’s workload.
The outcome
An approved name is reserved for a limited period. Do not treat clearance as permanent — proceed
to registration promptly, or you may have to clear the name again.
Name reservation
Clearance approves a name. Reservation holds it for you for a defined period, so nobody else can register it while you get your paperwork together. Use it when you have an approved name but are not ready to register immediately — you are still assembling director details, waiting on identification, or raising the capital.1
Start from your approved clearance
PACRA workspace → Service requests → name reservation. Starting from the clearance carries
the approved name and entity type across, so you are not retyping them.
2
Confirm the name and entity type
Pre-filled from the clearance. Check them rather than assuming.
3
Review the reservation period and fee
How long the name is held for, and what it costs.
4
Submit and pay
The request follows the normal route. See
Request a service.
5
Register before it expires
A reservation is not indefinite. Note the expiry date.
After approval
The approved name is what you use in your registration application. It carries over automatically — you do not re-type it.Register a company
Limited by shares or by guarantee, with directors and shareholders.
Register a business name
A trading name for a sole proprietor or partnership.
Changing an existing name
Changing the name of a business that is already registered is a different service — a change of name, not a clearance. It still requires the new name to be cleared first, then a separate change application. Both are in the PACRA service catalogue.Related: Request a service for how service requests work
generally.