How to Register a Business Name in Ireland (RBN1) as a Sole Trader

Staxo Team, 2026-09-16

Trading as "Murphy Plumbing" instead of "John Murphy" feels like a small choice. In Ireland it triggers a legal requirement: the business name must be registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) within one month. It is cheap and quick, but it is often missed, and it is regularly confused with setting up a company. This guide covers when registration is required, how to file the RBN1, what it costs, what you must display, and the separate step of registering for tax with Revenue.

When is business name registration required?

The Registration of Business Names Act 1963 applies to anyone who carries on business under a name that is not their own true name. The CRO gives the example directly: registration is required if Mr John Murphy trades as "Murphy Builders", but not if he trades as "Murphy" or "John Murphy". Adding first names or initials makes no difference.

The same rule applies to partnerships trading under a name other than the names of all partners, and to companies trading under a name other than their full corporate name.

The application must be submitted within one month of adopting the business name.

What registration does and does not do

The purpose of registration is to make public who is behind the name. The CRO is clear about the limits:

• It does not give you exclusive rights to the name or protect against duplication.
• It does not mean the name will be accepted later as a company name.
• It does not override anyone else's trade mark rights.

The CRO does not check your proposed name against existing companies or business names. Before you print stationery, search the CRO register on CORE (free) and the trade mark register at the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. If you want exclusivity, consider a trade mark.

The RBN1 form

There are three registration forms. The one for a sole trader is Form RBN1 (individual). Partnerships use RBN1A and companies use RBN1B.

Fee

The CRO's published fee is 20 euro for electronic filing through CORE and 40 euro for paper filing. Changes to particulars (Form RBN2) are free online, and ceasing a business name (Form RBN3) is free.

What the form asks for

• the business name
• the general nature of the business
• the principal place of business
• your full name, nationality and usual residence
• the date the business name was adopted

How to file

1. Create a free CORE account at core.cro.ie.
2. Choose to register a business name and select RBN1.
3. Complete the details and pay the 20 euro fee by card.
4. Submit. The CRO advises using a laptop or desktop rather than a phone, as the form can misbehave on mobile devices.
5. The certificate of registration is issued by email. Check your spam folder.

At the time of writing, the CRO notes a backlog with delays of up to four weeks for RBN1 processing. Applications are handled in date order.

Names you cannot use

A business name cannot contain "limited", "ltd", "teoranta", "teo", "incorporated", "inc." or "company". Names ending in a domain suffix such as ".ie" or ".com" are considered undesirable and need proof of domain ownership. The words "Associates" or "Group" imply more than one person and cannot be used on an individual RBN1.

Display requirements after registration

Registration comes with two ongoing duties:

• Display the certificate. A copy of the certificate of registration must be shown in a conspicuous position at your principal place of business and at every branch or office where the business is carried on.
• Show your name on documents. Your own name as proprietor must appear on all business letters, circulars, catalogues and similar documents on which the business name appears. "Murphy Plumbing, proprietor John Murphy" on your invoices and letterhead satisfies this.

If you stop using the name, file Form RBN3. If your details change, file RBN2. A business name cannot be transferred; the old owner ceases it and the new owner registers afresh.

A business name is not a company

This is the most common misunderstanding. Registering a business name does not create a separate legal entity. You remain a sole trader, personally liable for the debts of the business, and you pay income tax on the profits. A limited company is a different thing entirely: a separate legal person, incorporated with Form A1, with its own directors, annual returns and corporation tax at 12.5% on trading income.

For a fuller comparison, read our guide on sole trader versus limited company in Ireland.

Registering as a sole trader with Revenue

The CRO and Revenue are separate. Registering a business name does not tell Revenue you are self employed. You must register for income tax separately, and Revenue's guidance sets out how:

• Through myAccount if you are a PAYE employee starting a business: go to Manage My Record, then Tax Registrations, select Income Tax and register. You will be asked for a NACE code describing the business, the start date and expected turnover.
• Through ROS if you already have an Irish tax registration and want to add income tax.
• Form TR1 on paper for those who cannot use the online services, and Form TR1 (FT) for non-residents.

Your tax reference number will be your PPSN. Once registered, you file returns and pay through ROS. Register for VAT at the same time if you expect turnover above the thresholds of 42,500 euro for services or 85,000 euro for goods, or if you want to reclaim VAT on setup costs.

Checklist for a new sole trader

• Decide whether you will trade under your own name or a business name.
• Search CORE and the trade mark register for conflicts.
• File RBN1 on CORE within one month of adopting the name (20 euro).
• Display the certificate and put your own name on business documents.
• Register for income tax through myAccount or ROS.
• Register for VAT if you will exceed the thresholds.
• Open a separate bank account and keep records for six years.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register a business name if I trade under my own name?

No. If John Murphy trades as "John Murphy" or "Murphy", no registration is needed. "Murphy Plumbing" must be registered.

Does registering a business name stop others using it?

No. It gives no exclusive rights. Only a trade mark or, to a degree, a company name offers protection.

Can two people register the same business name?

Yes, because the CRO does not check for duplicates on business names. That is why a search before you commit matters.

Is there an annual fee for a business name?

No. There is a one-off 20 euro fee online. You only file again if details change (free) or you cease using the name (free).

Do I register the business name before or after Revenue?

Either order works, but both must be done. The business name is due within one month of adopting it; income tax registration should be done when you start trading.

Sources

• CRO: Registering a business name
• CRO: Business names forms and fees
• Revenue: How to register for tax as a sole trader
• Revenue: What are the VAT thresholds?
• Citizens Information: Step by step guide to setting up a business

Staxo registers you as a sole trader online for 49 euro ex VAT and then gives you simple accounting software with human support to keep the books from day one. Register as a sole trader with Staxo.