Published October 16, 2017 · Updated October 16, 2026
Will the company name you have in mind pass SSM's approval screen? A quick company name search in Malaysia through SSM can tell you in minutes.
In this blog, we cover:
- how the SSM company name search works in 2026
- how an information search differs from a name availability check
- the statuses and documents you will encounter
- the current fees
This guide was first published on October 16, 2017 and has been fully revised and expanded for 2026.
Why Does the SSM Company Name Search Matter So Much?
The check serves two very different purposes: clearing your own proposed name before registration, and verifying other businesses before you commit to them.
Most rejections we see are avoidable. SSM will not register a name that is identical to, or too similar to, an existing company, LLP or business on its register. Each rejected application means another fee and another round of waiting, which is why a search belongs at the very start of your planning.
On the other side of the table, the register is a free window into the companies you transact with. The status field alone can reveal that a supplier is in liquidation or that a customer was struck off months before it placed a large order. The habit is not limited to SMEs: multinational companies in Malaysia routinely screen counterparties against SSM records as part of supplier onboarding and know-your-customer checks.
If you are new to the registry, our earlier walkthrough of the company name or registration number search explains the manual channels some readers still encounter. The rest of this guide focuses on the current online process.
What Is the Difference Between an SSM Company Search and a Name Availability Check?
An information search looks up entities that already exist on the register. A name availability check tests a proposed name that does not exist yet. The first runs on SSM e-Info, while the proposed-name process is now handled through SSM’s Corporate Registry System (CRS).
Getting this distinction right saves both time and money. The registers, the portals, the fees and even the legal basis of each check are different, as the breakdown below shows.
1. Company Information Search (SSM e-Info)
This is a public lookup of registered entities. Anyone can view basic particulars free of charge, and registered users can buy official documents from SSM's official portal. It covers companies under the Companies Act 2016, LLPs under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012 and businesses registered under the Registration of Businesses Act 1956.
2. Proposed Name Availability Check (MyCoID)
This step is now handled through SSM’s Corporate Registry System (CRS) when you incorporate a new company. In CRS, you may apply to reserve a proposed name for RM50 or choose Direct Registration, which combines name reservation and incorporation for RM1,000 excluding integration costs. SSM then assesses the name against its guidelines before approving it for reservation.
3. How to Decide Which Check You Need
Ask one question: does the entity already exist? If it does, use e-Info. If you are creating a new company and need its name approved and reserved, the availability check inside MyCoID is the correct route.
How Do You Search by Company Name or Registration Number?
The basic search is free. It takes under five minutes and requires no account. You only need the official SSM e-Info page and either a name or a registration number.
Company registration numbers issued under the Companies Act 2016 follow the 12-digit format beginning with the year of registration. A company incorporated in 2026 starts with 2026. Older records can still be traced through their previous numbers. Always search from the official SSM website rather than third-party mirror sites, since unofficial copies of the register can be outdated.
The table below summarises the full process, from the first free lookup through to purchasing official documents.
How to Search SSM by Company Name or Registration Number
| Step | Action | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open the official SSM e-Info search page via ssm.com.my | Search screen for companies, businesses and LLPs |
| 2 | Select the register: company (ROC), business (ROB) or LLP | Ensures you search the correct record type |
| 3 | Enter the full company name or registration number | New-format company numbers begin with the year of registration |
| 4 | Submit the search and review the free results | Entity name, registration number, status, registered office and registration date |
| 5 | Log in to the e-Info portal and pay online for documents | Online banking or card payment, per SSM's published fee schedule |
| 6 | Download the purchased electronic documents | Company Profile, directors' particulars or shareholders' particulars |
How Do You Interpret the Entity Status on SSM Records?
The status field is the most important line in any result. It tells you at a glance whether the entity is live, dormant, in financial distress or no longer in existence.
Live entities are active and filing. Anything else deserves a closer look before you extend credit, sign a contract or accept the entity as a counterparty. The meanings below reflect the statuses SSM displays in its records.
One note for founders: once an entity is dissolved, its name may in time become available again, subject to SSM's similarity assessment.
Common SSM Entity Statuses Explained
| Status | What It Means | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Existing | Company remains on the register; check its filings separately | Buy a Company Profile or ACGS for more depth |
| Dormant | No significant accounting transactions | Ask why; the entity may be inactive or awaiting restructuring |
| In Receivership | A receiver or manager has been appointed over assets | Investigate thoroughly before signing anything |
| In Liquidation / Wound Up | Being wound up, voluntarily or by the court | Avoid new commitments; claims go to the liquidator |
| Struck Off / Dissolved | Removed from the register and no longer exists | The entity cannot contract; the name may become available again |
What Official Documents Can You Buy from SSM e-Info?
SSM's e-Info service sells electronic documents — chiefly a Company Profile, directors' particulars and shareholders' particulars — for a small per-document fee.
Basic search results are free, but the full picture sits in the paid documents. According to SSM, purchased documents are delivered electronically once payment is confirmed through the e-Info portal, which accepts online banking and card payments. The current per-document fee schedule is published on SSM's official portal, so confirm the latest figures before ordering.
For formal use — bank account opening, tenders or court proceedings — certified true copies of lodged documents and certificates can also be obtained. The table below shows what each document typically contains.
What SSM e-Info Documents Contain
| Document | Typical Contents | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Company Profile | Registration number and date, status, registered office, entity type, nature of business and capital details | Quick due diligence and background checks |
| Directors' Particulars | Directors' names, identification particulars, appointment and resignation dates | KYC checks and identifying decision-makers |
| Shareholders' Particulars | Shareholders' names and shareholdings by class and holder type | Ownership and beneficial-ownership checks |
| Certified Documents | Certified true copies of lodged documents and certificates | Bank applications, tenders and legal proceedings |
How Do You Check Whether a Proposed Company Name Is Available?
Use SSM’s CRS to either apply for name reservation or choose Direct Registration, which combines name reservation and incorporation. A separate name reservation costs RM50 for every 30 days or part thereof, while Direct Registration combines name reservation and incorporation for RM1,000 excluding integration costs.
The availability check is not part of the public e-Info search. It happens when you, or your Corporate Services Provider, submit the name through CRS. You also answer the Super Form questions SSM uses to understand the meaning behind your proposed name. SSM's Table of Fees sets name reservation at RM50 for every 30 days or part thereof, up to 180 days. It sets the incorporation fee for a company limited by shares at RM1,000 under section 14 of the Companies Act 2016.
An approved name is normally reserved for 30 days, which keeps your incorporation on a tight schedule. If the reservation lapses, you apply again and pay the fee again.
Common reasons SSM rejects a proposed company name include:
- The name is identical or too similar to an existing company, LLP or business
- The name is misleading, offensive, or suggests a connection with the government or royalty
- Words such as Bank, Insurance or Trust require referral to the relevant regulator
- The required suffix is missing — a private company must end with Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd)
- Supporting approvals were not attached to the application.
If you would like a second opinion before paying SSM, use our Free Malaysia Company Name Check. It screens proposed names against the registry and flags likely objections before you commit.
Conclusion
A few minutes with SSM's records now saves rejections and bad deals later. The public e-Info search shows whether an entity exists and what state it is in. The CRS name-reservation route clears your proposed name and reserves it for incorporation. Used together, they are the cheapest risk management a founder can buy.
As a Corporate Services Provider, 3E Accounting Malaysia runs name checks, prepares Super Form answers and files incorporations through MyCoID every week. Our track record is registration within one working day of document signing. Timelines always depend on the completeness of your information and the stability of SSM's online system. Our Malaysia Company Incorporation Services page sets out the full package, and our guide to Malaysia company formation explains structure, compliance and costs for 2026.
For further reading, our article on the Process of Company Name Search goes deeper into the filing sequence. If you are weighing alternatives, How Do You Set Up a Labuan Company in 2026? covers the offshore route. Our earlier post EPF Encourage Use of Electronic Transactions for Contribution Payments also remains a useful reference for payroll once your company is running.
Check Your Company Name Today
Our team runs a complimentary name check, prepares your Super Form answers and files the incorporation with SSM on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic lookup is free and requires no account. Official documents such as a Company Profile, directors' particulars or shareholders' particulars are purchased from SSM's e-Info portal for a small per-document fee.
An information search on e-Info looks up entities that already exist on the register. A name availability check is done inside MyCoID to test and reserve a proposed name that does not exist yet.
SSM's fee schedule sets RM50 per name application, and the incorporation fee for a company limited by shares is RM1,000 under section 14 of the Companies Act 2016. Purchased e-Info documents carry separate per-document fees.
Yes. The e-Info service covers companies, limited liability partnerships and businesses registered under the Registration of Businesses Act 1956, each through the relevant register.
Both are bought as electronic documents through SSM's e-Info portal after creating an account and paying online. SSM delivers the documents electronically once payment is confirmed.
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.
