Published November 24, 2016 · Updated October 9, 2026
A single sensitive word can undo an otherwise suitable name application.
In this guide, we discuss how the SSM name search works in 2026, the rules behind approval, and how to secure your name with confidence.
What Does a Malaysia Company Name Search Involve?
SSM, the national corporate regulator, screens every proposed name against the live register before it can be registered.
SSM, the Companies Commission of Malaysia, is a statutory body. It was formed through the merger of the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and the Registrar of Businesses (ROB). It administers the Companies Act 2016 and maintains the national register of companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and registered businesses.
Every name search runs against this live register. The check tells you whether your proposed name is available, already reserved by another applicant, or taken by an existing entity.
You can also outsource the task to a Corporate Services Provider. Our team runs the company name search, reservation and application for you as part of our incorporation service.
What Rules Must Your Proposed Company Name Follow?
Under Section 26(1) of the Companies Act 2016, a proposed name is unavailable if it falls into one of these groups:
- Undesirable or unacceptable
- Identical to an existing or reserved name
- Prohibited by a ministerial direction
Section 26(1) of the Companies Act 2016 sets out when a proposed name is unavailable for registration. The three most common grounds are explained below.
Our naming guide covers some words that you can't use in your new company name. Restricted terms are examined in depth in our companion piece, Some Words You Can't Use in Your New Company Name Unless Approved by Minister. Both reflect the current SSM name guidelines for 2026.
1. Identical or Unduly Similar to an Existing Name
Your proposed name cannot match, or nearly match, a company, LLP or business already on the register. A different suffix will not save a name that is otherwise the same.
2. Undesirable, Offensive or Misleading Names
Names that suggest a government connection, royal patronage or a regulated activity face extra scrutiny. SSM also refuses names that mislead the public about the nature of the business.
3. Words That Need Consent or Approval
Certain words require the approval of a minister or a regulator before SSM will register them. Check the restricted list before you commit to a branding direction.
How Do You Check Company Names on the SSM Portal?
Apply for name availability through SSM’s CRS. Then submit a formal name-reservation application to hold an approved name for RM50 per 30-day period. Or proceed through direct incorporation for RM1,000.
Checking is straightforward once you know the sequence. Preliminary name research on the register is free, but the RM50 reservation is a separate formal application. Applicants can submit a name-reservation application or use direct incorporation, which combines name approval and incorporation. SSM publishes the Companies Act 2016 name guidelines, the RM50 reservation fee and the RM1,000 incorporation fee on its official portal (ssm.com.my), and applications are made through the CRS/MyCoID system. For a detailed walkthrough of the online system, follow our Complete Guideline by SSM for Name Search, which covers the portal step by step. The four steps below summarise the name-reservation route.
Step 1: Prepare a Shortlist of Names
List two or three acceptable options in order of preference. A shortlist lets you resubmit quickly if your first choice fails screening.
Step 2: Submit the Name Search Through CRS
Use a verified CRS account to submit each preferred name. SSM assesses the proposed name against its registers and the company-name guidelines before confirming whether it is available.
Step 3: Reserve Your Name
Pay RM50 to hold the name for 30 days, extendable in 30-day blocks up to 180 days in total. The official fees are summarised in the fee table below.
Step 4: Incorporate Within the Reservation Window
Submit your incorporation application before the reservation lapses. Once it expires, the name returns to the open register for other applicants.
SSM Name Search and Reservation Fees
| Item | Official Fee | When Payable |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | RM50 per 30-day period | On application to SSM, up to 180 days maximum |
| Sdn Bhd incorporation | RM1,000 flat | On submission of the registration documents |
| Incorporation with a reserved name | RM1,050 in total | Reservation fee plus the flat registration fee |
Why Does SSM Reject Company Names in Practice?
Most rejections come from three causes: a clash with an existing name, a restricted word, or a misleading impression of the business.
Most rejections are avoidable. In our experience, applicants often file without reading the name guidelines, then lose time to a resubmission. SSM does not refund the reservation fee when a name fails.
For real examples of failed applications, see Actual Name Search Application Rejected by SSM Malaysia, which breaks down common failure patterns. The table below pairs each rejection ground with a practical fix.
Common Rejection Grounds and How to Fix Them
| Ground for Rejection | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Identical or near-identical to an existing name | Vary the distinctive words and search again |
| Restricted word used without consent | Obtain approval first or remove the word |
| Misleading or offensive meaning | Rewrite the name in neutral, descriptive terms |
| Wrong or missing suffix | Use Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd) for a private company |
What Happens After SSM Approves Your Name?
After approval, you incorporate with SSM and appoint a company secretary within 30 days; companies incorporated online through MyCoID receive a company TIN automatically.
Name approval is only the start of your compliance journey. Once SSM registers your Sdn Bhd, the Companies Act 2016 requires a qualified company secretary to be appointed within 30 days of incorporation.
A company incorporated online through MyCoID receives a company TIN automatically. That automatic TIN is separate from other HASiL registrations: companies with employees must register an employer tax file, while companies not yet registered with HASiL can apply through e-Daftar.
For tax-registration deadlines and your first tax estimate, see our separate guide on the estimate of tax payable in Malaysia, filed with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). Depending on its circumstances, the company may also require compilation of unaudited financial statements for its ongoing reporting.
Conclusion
A careful company name search in Malaysia is the cheapest insurance for a smooth incorporation. For RM50 per 30-day period, SSM can reserve an approved name while you finalise the paperwork, and the published guidelines make the approval rules clear.
We help clients check availability, draft compliant alternatives and reserve names as part of our incorporation service. This article, first published on November 24, 2016, has been fully refreshed for 2026. Speak to us before you file, and your first choice of name has a far better chance of approval.
Check Your Company Name with Confidence
Our incorporation team screens your preferred names, reserves the winner and files the application with SSM for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preliminary name research on the SSM register is free. A formal name-reservation application costs RM50 for every 30-day period or part of a period, up to a maximum reservation period of 180 days.
Each RM50 payment holds the name for 30 days, extendable in 30-day blocks up to 180 days in total. Incorporate within the window or the name is released.
Yes, if their names are not identical for SSM’s purposes. Under Section 26(1) of the Companies Act 2016, SSM may refuse a name identical to an existing or reserved business name, and it disregards certain general words when comparing names.
Words connected to government, royalty or regulated activities usually require ministerial or regulatory consent before SSM will register the name.
You can proceed through direct incorporation or incorporate within the approved reservation period, pay the applicable SSM incorporation fee and appoint a company secretary within 30 days. Companies incorporated online through MyCoID receive a company TIN automatically, but separate employer registration and ongoing tax filing duties may still apply.
Abigail Yu
Director
Abigail Yu oversees executive leadership at 3E Accounting Group, leading operations, IT solutions, public relations, and digital marketing to drive business success. She holds an honors degree in Communication and New Media from the National University of Singapore and is highly skilled in crisis management, financial communication, and corporate communications.
