Business Name Search & Registration Tonga : Registries Office
Organization : Business Registries Office
Type of Facility : Business Name Search & Registration
Country: Tonga
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Website : http://www.businessregistries.gov.to/how-to-register-a-company/how-to-register-a-business-name/
Search Here : http://www.businessregistries.gov.to/how-to-search/how-to-search-for-a-business-name/
Business Name Registration :
What is a “business name?”:
Any person engaged in a business activity in Tonga under a name other than their own must register that “business name” with the Registrar.
Related : Registries Office Business Licence Registration Tonga : www.statusin.org/8533.html
This situation usually arises in one of two instances: I) a sole proprietor (or husband and wife) operates a business under a “trading name” or a “d/b/a,” or ii) a registered company seeks to do business in a name other than its own for marketing purposes. Therefore, the purpose of a business name registration is to give the public the names of the true owners of a business with whom they might be interacting.
Filing a business name registration is often a first step for a small business in entering the formal economy. Holding this registration may allow the small business person to open a bank account and otherwise transact business using the registered name.
There are far fewer administrative burdens placed on a business name owner as opposed to a director or shareholder of a company, making it attractive to the small business owner. However, it is critical to remember that unlike with a company incorporation, there is no independent legal entity created by a business name registration.
Thus, there is no personal liability protection for the owner of a business name registration. Therefore, if you are a sole proprietor or in a partnership, you should carefully consider whether a business name registration is the proper type of registration for your small business.
How do I register?:
Registration is easy. First, we suggest you search the registrar to see if your preferred business name has already been registered or is the name of an existing company. In this case your name would not be allowed.
If the name is available and you wish to register using the paper form, then all you need to do simply complete the Application for Business Name (Form 1) and submit it to the Registrar. Documents can be delivered by hand during normal business hours or through the post to the following address: Registrar of Companies, Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour, PO Box 110 Salote Road, Nuku’alfoa, Tonga.
To register your business name online or to maintain an existing business name details online, you will first need a Business Registries user account. You will then you follow the process of registration online and at the end pay the fee. Please see the “Register Services” tab above for directions on how to use the online services.
Once the application has been approved you will be sent a Certificate of Business Name Registration, meaning that the process is complete and your name will be shown on the Register. If you provided an email on the application the Certificate will be emailed to that email account.
What must I do then?:
Whenever any information on the business name registration changes (such as an address change or a change of name of an owner) you should file an amendment to your registration (Form 4).
You are also required to submit an annual renewal (Form 3) each year so that the Registrar can keep accurate records on what business names are still active. You can make this changes via the online service by registering as a user and gaining authority over your business name. Please see the “Register Services” tab for directions on how to use the online services.
Re-register a Business Name:
Re-registration is easy. If you wish to re-register using the paper form, then all you need to do simply complete the Application for Re-registration of Business Name (Form 10) and submit it to the Registrar.
Documents can be delivered by hand during normal business hours or through the post to the following address: Registrar of Companies, Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour, PO Box 110 Salote Road, Nuku’alfoa, Tonga.
To re-register your business name online, you will first need a Business Registries user account.
A step by step guideline on how to re-register your business name:
Step 1: Business Name owner must register/login to the system (this where you create your own username and password)
Step 2: Click on ‘Register Services’ where a drop down menu appears
Step 3: From the drop down menu click on ‘Business Name’
Step 4: Under the heading ‘Search’, click on ‘Register Search’ where you search for your business name
Step 5: Click on your business name when it comes up and it will provide you with detailed information. This step may prompt you to ‘Request Authority’ from the Registry to be able to Maintain your Business Name. Follow the prompt and request authority which may include scanning and uploading of a photo ID of the owner for verification purposes. This will enable you to proceed to Step 6 and finalise the process.
Step 6: Once you are granted with the Authority to maintain your business name, click on ‘Maintain Business Name’ at the top and a drop down menu will give you the option to Re-register.
For further assistance please email: registrar AT mctl.gov.to