Some words in a company name need approval before Companies House will register it. The Secretary of State gives it, and for many words you must first ask a named body, such as the Financial Conduct Authority for "Bank", and send a copy of its response with your application. As of November 2026 Companies House splits the words and approval criteria across three annexes in its incorporation and names guidance.
- A company cannot be registered under a name containing a listed sensitive word without the Secretary of State's approval. (Companies Act 2006, s.55)
- You must include a copy of the named body's response with your application. (Companies House)
- Schedule 2 to the 2014 Regulations pairs words with the department or body whose view must be sought. (legislation.gov.uk)
How does approval for a sensitive word work?
The Companies Act 2006 lets the Secretary of State list words that cannot appear in a company name without approval. Those words are set out in the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014. Companies House says the controls exist so a name does not mislead or harm the public.
Companies House groups the words by reason: words that suggest pre-eminence, a particular status or a specific function (its examples are "British", "Institute" and "Tribunal"), words for a regulated activity, and words that could suggest a link to government or a public authority.
Who approves which sensitive words?
It depends on the word. The table shows a sample from Schedule 2 to the 2014 Regulations, which pairs words with the body whose view you must seek. It is not the full list.
| Word | Who to ask | What to send with your application |
|---|---|---|
| "Bank", "Assurance", "Friendly Society", "Mutual", "Underwriting" | Financial Conduct Authority | Its view on the word, in writing. |
| "Dental" | General Dental Council | Its letter or email of non-objection. |
| "Nurse", "Health visitor" | Nursing & Midwifery Council | Its letter or email of non-objection. |
| "NHS" | Department of Health and Social Care | Its response to your request. |
| "Patent" | The Patent Office | Its response to your request. |
| "Parliament" | The Corporate Officers of the House of Lords and the House of Commons | Their response to your request. |
| "Charity", "Charitable" | Charity Commission, or the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator | The response from the regulator for where you are based. |
| "University", "Polytechnic" | Department for Education (other bodies apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) | The response from the body for your location. |
| "Royal", "King", "Queen", "Prince" | Government bodies that depend on where the company is based | The response from the body Schedule 2 names for your location. |
| "Foundation", "Institute", "Trust", "Chartered", "Council" | No body named in Schedule 2 | Check the approval criteria in the Companies House annexes. |
Source: Sensitive Words Regulations 2014, Schedule 2, and Incorporation and names, checked 2 November 2026
The bodies for "Royal" and "University" differ by where the company is based, so read the relevant row of Schedule 2 before you write to anyone.
Which words are not on the list?
"Group" and "Holdings" are not in Schedule 1, so they need no approval on that basis. "Authority" is not a standalone entry either, but the separate rule on government connections still applies: Companies House says you cannot use a name that could suggest a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration, a local authority or a public authority without approval.
Some names are refused outright rather than approved, such as names that are offensive or would be an offence to use.
What should I do if my name has a sensitive word?
- Check the word against Schedule 1 to the 2014 Regulations and the annexes in Companies House's guidance.
- If the word isn't essential, drop it. That is usually the quickest route.
- If you need it, find the word in Schedule 2 and write to the body named for your location.
- Include a copy of its response with your application.
- If Schedule 2 names no body, check the word's approval criteria and contacts in the Companies House annexes before you apply.
Our guide to choosing a company name covers the other rules a name must pass, and company name rejected? explains how to fix a refusal.
Frequently asked questions
Who approves a sensitive word in a company name?
The Secretary of State's approval is required under the Companies Act 2006. For many words the regulations also name a department or body whose view you must ask for first, such as the Financial Conduct Authority for "Bank" or the General Dental Council for "Dental".
Do I have to send the approval with my application?
Yes. Companies House says you must include a copy of the response from the body you asked, such as a letter or email of non-objection, with your application.
Are "Group" and "Holdings" sensitive words?
No. Neither appears in Schedule 1 to the Sensitive Words Regulations 2014, so they need no approval on that basis. Check the name against the other rules, such as the "same as" test.
Is "Authority" a sensitive word?
Not as a standalone entry in Schedule 1. But Companies House does not allow a name that could suggest a connection with the government, a local authority or a public body without approval, so a name using it that way can still be refused.
Where is the full list of sensitive words?
Schedule 1 to the 2014 Regulations lists the words, and Companies House sets out the approval criteria and contact bodies in the annexes to its incorporation and names guidance. Check both before you apply, because the lists can change.
Sources
- Incorporation and names, Companies House. Checked
- Companies Act 2006, section 55 (sensitive words), legislation.gov.uk. Checked
- Sensitive Words and Expressions Regulations 2014, Schedule 1 (the words), legislation.gov.uk. Checked
- Sensitive Words and Expressions Regulations 2014, Schedule 2 (the bodies to ask), legislation.gov.uk. Checked