An SECP company name search checks in real time whether your proposed company name is already registered or too similar to an existing one. The search runs through SECP's eZfile portal, is free, and returns a result in seconds. Formal name reservation is normally resolved within about a day.
Name search and company search are different things
These get mixed up constantly, and they answer opposite questions.
| Company name search | Company search | |
|---|---|---|
| Question it answers | Is this name available for me to use? | What is on record about this existing company? |
| When you use it | Before registering a new company | Before contracting with an existing one |
| Typical user | Founders | Suppliers, lenders, investors |
Why SECP reject company names
A name that looks available in the search can still be refused at the reservation stage. The recurring reasons are worth knowing before you print anything.
- Too similar to an existing company. Not identical, just close enough to cause confusion. This is the most common rejection.
- Restricted or sensitive words. Terms implying government, regulatory or national backing require specific approval.
- Misleading activity. A name suggesting banking, insurance or another licensed activity the company is not authorised to carry out.
- Purely descriptive. Generic terms with no distinctive element attached.
- Trademark conflict. A name clashing with an existing registered mark.
From name search to registered company
- Search. Check availability through the SECP portal.
- Reserve. Apply formally for the name. Usually resolved within about a day.
- Prepare documents. Memorandum and Articles of Association, director and shareholder CNICs, registered office address.
- File for incorporation. Submitted through eZfile and typically processed in 1 to 3 working days.
- Collect integrated registrations. NTN through FBR, plus EOBI, Social Security and provincial labour, all issued automatically.
The full process, including which company structure to choose and what annual filings follow, is set out on our company registration page.
Checking a company you are about to deal with
If your reason for searching is due diligence rather than registration, the registry check is where you start, not where you finish. SECP records confirm that a company exists, who its directors are, and whether it has filed as required. They do not tell you whether it pays its suppliers on time.
For that you need payment behaviour and trade references, which is what a business credit report covers. The distinction matters most in Pakistan, where a large share of commerce runs through sole proprietorships that have no SECP record at all and therefore return nothing from a registry search.
Frequently asked questions
How do I do an SECP company name search?
Use the company name search facility on SECP's eZfile portal to check in real time whether your proposed name is already taken or too similar to an existing registered company. The search is free and takes seconds. A name that appears available still has to pass SECP's own compliance review when you formally apply to reserve it.
Why do SECP reject company names?
The most common reasons are similarity to an existing registered company, use of restricted or sensitive words that imply government or regulatory backing, misleading terms that suggest activities the company is not licensed for, and generic descriptive names with no distinctive element. Preparing two or three alternatives avoids losing days to a rejection.
How long does SECP name reservation take?
Name availability itself is confirmed instantly through the online search. Formal reservation is normally resolved within about a day once the application is submitted, which is why a straightforward incorporation can complete inside a week from first contact.
Is an SECP company search the same as a company name search?
They serve different purposes. A name search checks whether your proposed name is available before you register. A company search retrieves information about an already registered company, such as its status and filing history, which is what you use when checking a counterparty before signing a contract.
Can I check whether an existing company is registered with SECP?
Yes. SECP's company search facility lets you confirm whether a business is registered and view basic details on record. For a commercial decision such as extending trade credit, that registry check is a starting point rather than a conclusion, since it tells you a company exists but not how it pays its bills.
Ready to reserve a name and register?
Send us two or three name options and your preferred structure. We will confirm availability, timeline and cost.