A rejection is easier to fix when you know whether the problem is similarity, restricted wording or the way the proposed name describes the business. Avoid guessing and repeatedly paying for small variations of the same problem name.
Read the rejection notice carefully
The Registry’s name-reservation process can approve, query or reject a proposal. A rejection means the reservation did not meet the requirements in its submitted form.
Save the notice and identify the exact reason before deciding what to change.
Run a broader preliminary search
Search the important words separately, try phonetic and spelling variations and look at company names as well as registered business names. A name can conflict even when the exact phrase does not appear.
Also check whether the part you are trying to preserve is so generic that it may not distinguish the new business well.
Change enough to solve the problem
Adding punctuation or a small descriptive word may not solve a similarity issue. If the conflict is substantial, choose a name with a different distinctive element.
Keep the customer in mind: the replacement should still be easy to say, remember and associate with the business.
Submit a fresh reservation when required
The Registry states that a rejected applicant must submit a new application and pay the name-reservation fee again. A queried application is different: the Registry may be asking for information or clarification on the existing application.
Do not confuse a query with a rejection; the next step is different.
Protect the launch timeline
Do not schedule printing, signage or a public launch around an unapproved name. Build the registration timeline with room for a query or rejection so the business is not forced to use a name it cannot register.
BizReg can help review the next reservation attempt when you want support.
Questions people ask
Do I have to pay again after a rejected business name?
The Registry states that a rejected name requires a new reservation application and fee.
Is a query the same as a rejection?
No. A query asks for more information or clarification; a rejection means the proposal was not approved.
Can I keep using the rejected name anyway?
The Registry advises applicants not to use a proposed name in advance of receiving the registration certificate.
References
Current official pages related to this guide.