Checking and reserving your company name is the first legal step before incorporating an SL. The entire process runs online through the Registro Mercantil Central (RMC), takes about 15 minutes to submit, and costs €16. You receive the certificate within 24 to 48 business hours.
This guide is for founders setting up a Sociedad Limitada (SL). It does not apply to autónomos, who trade under their personal name by default.
The most common mistake: submitting only one name. If the RMC rejects it, the application fails and you pay again.
No digital certificate or Cl@ve is required. The name check is one of the few RMC procedures accessible without one.
Go to the Registro Mercantil Central name search at sede.registradores.org. The tool is free and publicly accessible before you apply.
Type each of your five proposed names and look for identical or similar matches. The RMC applies a similarity test: "Sol Properties S.L." and "Sol Property S.L." are close enough to be rejected. So are names that differ only in punctuation, accents, or word order.
What to watch for:
If all five names return no conflicts, move to Step 2. If some are taken, replace them before applying.
On the RMC website, open the certificación negativa de denominación social application. You can file as:
Fill in:
Double-check the S.L. or Sociedad Limitada suffix on every name before submitting. Omitting it is the most common rejection reason after a name clash.
The fee for a certificación negativa is €16. Pay by card at the end of the online application. Keep the payment receipt as confirmation the application was lodged and as a reference if you need to follow up.
There is no expedited option. The standard 24 to 48 business hour turnaround is the only one available.
The RMC sends the digital certificate to the email address provided. It shows:
Check that the name is spelled exactly as intended. If there is a typo or the RMC approved a lower-priority name from your list, contact them immediately. Changing the name after incorporation requires a new legal process.
If all five names are rejected, the certificate states this and you will need to submit a new application with five fresh options and pay again.
The certificate is your proof of name uniqueness and the gateway to the rest of the incorporation process:
Certificate countdown:
Book your notary appointment before the certificate even arrives so you do not lose the window. If three months is genuinely too tight, the RMC can sometimes grant a renewal, though this is not guaranteed.
For the full incorporation checklist, see renn's SL registration service.
Submitting only one name. If the RMC rejects it, the application fails and you start over with a fresh fee. Always submit five options.
Missing the S.L. suffix. The RMC requires the legal form to appear in the name. "Barcelona Tech" will be rejected; "Barcelona Tech S.L." will not. Check every entry before submitting.
Choosing a generic or purely descriptive name. Names like "Web Design S.L." or "Madrid Consulting S.L." are not distinctive and are regularly refused. Add a coined or unique word. "ClaroPath Consulting S.L." works; "Consulting Madrid S.L." does not.
Using restricted words without permission. Words like "nacional," "real," or "oficial," and anything implying a government body or accredited institution, require explicit authorisation. Using them without it leads to automatic rejection.
Letting the certificate expire. The certificate is valid for three months for notary use. Missing the window means starting over with a new application and fee. Book your notary slot as soon as the certificate arrives.
Can I check my company name before paying?
Yes. The RMC name search tool at sede.registradores.org is free and publicly accessible. Use it to filter out obvious conflicts before submitting the paid application.
How long does the certificación negativa take?
Typically 24 to 48 business hours for the digital certificate. A paper copy by post takes several additional days.
Can I change my company name after incorporating?
Yes, but it requires a new certificación negativa, a new notary deed, and re-registration at the provincial Mercantile Registry. It adds cost and delays. Choose carefully upfront.
Does the name approval protect me across all of Spain?
Yes. The RMC covers the entire country. An approved company name cannot be used by any other SL or SA anywhere. It does not protect your brand name or domain; those require separate trademark and domain registrations.
What if I want to trade under a different name than my legal company name?
You can. The denominación social (legal name, e.g., "Costa Health Ventures S.L.") is required on contracts and tax documents. The nombre comercial (trade name, e.g., "Sol Fitness") is your brand. They can differ. Register a trade name with the OEPM if you want brand-name protection.
Do I need an advisor to do the name check?
No. The application is straightforward and open to anyone online. Many founders handle it themselves, then use a gestoría or a service like renn for the full incorporation steps that follow.
Checking and reserving a company name takes about 15 minutes to submit and 24 to 48 business hours to receive. The fee is €16. Submit five ordered name options to avoid rejection delays, include the S.L. suffix on every entry, and avoid generic or restricted words. Once the certificate arrives, you have three months to sign the notary deed.
The name check is the first step in a 4 to 6 week incorporation timeline. For what comes next, see the full SL registration guide.
