The CRO’s company-name reservation service is available on CORE. A reservation gives a limited window to progress the relevant company application; it does not incorporate the company or clear every branding right.
Decide what the reservation is for
A founder might want time to finish incorporation documents after settling on a name. An existing company might be planning a name change. First identify the application you intend to make and who will submit it, then decide whether a reservation helps that sequence.
The CRO provides reservation for a new company or an existing company changing its name, but not for a business trading name. Do not pay for a company-name reservation expecting it to register a sole-trader trading name.
Check the official window and cost
The CRO registration-methods page lists the CORE reservation service at €25 for 28 days. It describes a €25 reduction in the incorporation fee when the relevant application is presented within that window. Read the current certificate submission conditions before relying on that reduction.
The naming page describes one further 28-day extension costing €25, with the incorporation reduction remaining €25. These figures were checked on 9 October 2026. A provider’s administration charge is separate; ask for the full payable amount.
Prepare before starting the clock
Create a readiness list with three columns: task, person responsible and date it can realistically be finished. Include the documents you need from other people, decisions still awaiting agreement and any questions your adviser must resolve. You will often learn more from that list than from a promised turnaround headline.
| Readiness question | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Is the shortlist researched? | Reduces last-minute brand changes |
| Are the applicant details agreed? | Avoids booking time around missing information |
| Who holds the certificate? | Helps the presenter attach the correct evidence |
| Who watches the expiry? | Creates a clear reminder and escalation point |
A fictional planning example
Two founders want to apply using the invented name “Copper Lane Projects Limited”. One founder is away, and an ownership discussion remains open. They first finish their application brief and arrange a document review, rather than treating a reservation as the solution to those open decisions.
When they do use the official service, they record the actual certificate date and expiry in a shared calendar. They ask their presenter to confirm receipt of the certificate and the intended submission date. This example explains organisation; the name itself has not been searched or approved.
Keep branding checks separate
A reserved company name should not be treated as a cleared trade mark or a registered domain. Keep those research records beside the reservation, each with its own status. If the domain you want is unavailable, revisit whether your overall brand still works before ordering expensive materials.
Save correspondence and use the official certificate details when discussing a reservation with your agent. If the window is near its end, ask the presenter which official options apply rather than assuming an extension is automatic. Our formation timeline guide helps you separate preparation, filing, registration and the later launch tasks.
Sources & review
Editorial owner: Thomas O'Sullivan. Sources checked 9 October 2026. Professional review: Thomas O'Sullivan (Company formation expert and writer), 9 October 2026. Scope: Current naming, formation and domain guidance, practical examples and source references.
Examples are fictional and do not establish name or domain availability. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or provider. Report a correction.