When setting up a company in Singapore, one of the first tools foreign entrepreneurs should know is the ACRA company search. It allows you to check whether a Singapore business is registered, verify basic company details, and purchase official records such as an ACRA business profile.
For foreign founders, investors, suppliers, and business owners, this search is useful for due diligence. It can help you verify potential partners, study competitors, check whether a company name is already used, or confirm that your newly incorporated Singapore company appears correctly in official records.
ACRA company searches are performed through BizFile, ACRA’s digital portal for business registration, filing, and information services. ACRA launched the new BizFile portal on 9 December 2024, and it is now the main platform for searching and buying business information.
What Is ACRA?
ACRA stands for the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. It is Singapore’s national regulator for business registration, company filing, public accountants, corporate service providers, and related corporate compliance matters.
In simple terms, ACRA is the government authority that keeps official records of Singapore business entities. If you incorporate a private limited company in Singapore, your company information will be registered with ACRA and accessible through BizFile.
This is why an ACRA company search is often one of the first checks performed by banks, investors, corporate service providers, suppliers, and potential business partners.
What Is BizFile?
BizFile is ACRA’s digital platform used for company registration, regulatory filings, and access to business information. You can use BizFile to register new entities, file annual returns, manage company information, and buy business information products such as Business Profiles.
For company searches, BizFile provides several search functions, including:
- Entity search
- Industry search
- People search
- Reserved name search
For most users, the Entity search is the most relevant function. It allows you to search for a business by name or Unique Entity Number, commonly known as UEN.
Why Foreign Entrepreneurs Should Use ACRA Company Search
If you are planning to incorporate a company in Singapore, an ACRA company search can be useful before and after incorporation.
Common use cases include:
- Checking whether your desired company name is already taken
- Verifying a Singapore company before signing a contract
- Checking whether a supplier, customer, or partner is registered
- Reviewing competitors in your industry
- Confirming a company’s registration status
- Purchasing an ACRA business profile for due diligence
- Checking whether your own newly incorporated company appears correctly
Singapore has a transparent corporate registry, and this transparency helps create trust in the business environment. However, foreign founders should still know how to read the information correctly.
How to Do an ACRA Company Search on BizFile
Below is a practical step-by-step process for performing a Singapore company search through BizFile.
Step 1: Go to the BizFile Portal
Visit the official BizFile portal. This is ACRA’s one-stop digital service portal for business registration, filing, and information services.
On the homepage, you should see search options such as Entity, Industry, People, and Reserved name.
Step 2: Select “Entity” Search
Choose the Entity tab. This is the function used to search for registered businesses and companies.
You can search using:
- Company or Business name
- UEN
If you know the UEN, use it for the most accurate results. If you only know the company name, use the name search function.
Step 3: Enter the Company Name or UEN
Type the company name or UEN into the search field.
When searching by name, BizFile allows you to choose keyword match types such as:
- Name starting with
- Name exact match
- Name containing
For a broad search, “Name containing” may be useful. For a more precise search, “Name exact match” is better.
Step 4: Review the Search Results
The search results may show several businesses with similar names. Check carefully before selecting a result.
Pay attention to:
- Entity name
- UEN
- Entity type
- Registration status
If the company name is common, similar names may appear. Always compare the UEN if it is available.
Step 5: Click “More Information”
Once you identify the correct entity, click “More information” to view more details. If the status is “Registered”, the profile will show available registration details through BizFile.
This free search is useful for a quick check, but it does not provide all information needed for deeper due diligence.
Step 6: Purchase the Business Profile if Needed
If you need more detailed official information, you can buy an ACRA business profile through BizFile.
ACRA’s Business Profile is designed for obtaining basic entity information such as UEN, entity name, date of registration, and information about position holders, business owners, or partners. As of 2026, the Business Profile costs S$5.50.
You can purchase it through BizFile by adding the Business Profile to your cart and checking out. Business Profiles are available for registered entities, including entities with non-live statuses such as “Terminated” and “Struck Off”, although non-live entities may show limited information.
Free vs Paid ACRA Company Information
An ACRA company search includes both free and paid information. Knowing the difference helps you avoid unnecessary purchases while still getting the records you need.
Free Information
The free BizFile search can help you check basic details such as:
- Whether an entity exists
- Entity name
- UEN
- Entity status
- Some basic public search information
This is usually enough for a quick check, such as confirming whether a company appears in ACRA’s records.
Paid Information
For more detailed due diligence, you may need to purchase official ACRA information products.
The most common paid document is the ACRA business profile, which provides more detailed company information. It is often requested for:
- Bank account opening
- Contract due diligence
- Investor checks
- Corporate onboarding
- Compliance reviews
- Verification of directors and shareholders
ACRA also offers other business information products, such as Corporate Compliance and Financial Profile products, depending on the level of review required.
What Information Is Usually Available in an ACRA Business Profile?
An ACRA business profile generally includes important company information such as:
- Company name
- UEN
- Date of incorporation or registration
- Entity type
- Current status
- Registered office address
- Principal business activities
- Directors and company officers
- Shareholder information
- Paid-up capital details
The exact information available may depend on the entity type and status. For example, profiles for non-live entities may show limited information.
For foreign entrepreneurs, the Business Profile is often one of the most important documents after incorporation, together with the Certificate of Incorporation.
How to Interpret Key ACRA Search Details
An ACRA company search is only useful if you know how to interpret the information.
Company Status
The company status tells you whether the entity is active or no longer live. If a company is listed as “Registered”, it generally means it is currently registered.
Be cautious when dealing with entities that are:
- Struck off
- Terminated
- Cancelled
- In liquidation
- Under judicial management
A non-live or distressed status does not always mean fraud, but it should prompt further checks before entering into business dealings.
Business Activities
Singapore companies state their principal business activities using Singapore Standard Industrial Classification codes, commonly known as SSIC codes.
These activities help indicate what the company is registered to do. However, they may not always reflect every commercial activity the company conducts in practice.
For due diligence, compare the stated business activities with:
- The company’s website
- Its invoices or contracts
- Its marketing materials
- The nature of the transaction
If a company claims to provide financial services, employment agency services, education services, or other regulated activities, additional licensing checks may be required.
Director Information
The Business Profile may show the company’s directors and officers. This helps you identify who is formally responsible for the company.
For foreign-owned companies, you may see a local resident director who is a nominee director and foreign director(s). This is not unusual, since every Singapore company must have at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore.
However, director information should be reviewed carefully when conducting due diligence, especially for high-value contracts or investment transactions.
Registered Office Address
All companies incorporated in Singapore are required to have a registered office address located within Singapore. The address shown in ACRA records is the official address for statutory communications.
Many foreign-owned companies use a registered office address provided by a corporate service provider. This is common and legitimate, especially where the business does not lease a physical office in Singapore.
Practical Tips for Foreigners Performing a Singapore Company Search
Use the UEN Where Possible
The UEN is the most precise way to identify a Singapore entity. Company names can be similar, but the UEN is unique.
Check the Exact Entity Type
A private limited company, sole proprietorship, limited liability partnership, and foreign company branch are different legal structures. Do not assume that all registered entities offer the same liability protection or governance structure.
Do Not Rely Only on the Company Name
A company may use a trading name that differs from its registered name. If you are verifying a supplier or partner, ask for its registered name and UEN.
Buy the Business Profile for Important Transactions
For casual checks, a free search may be enough. For contracts, onboarding, investments, or bank-related matters, the paid ACRA business profile is usually more appropriate.
Verify Documents Received from Others
ACRA provides tools and guidance for verifying and certifying business information products. This is useful if a counterparty sends you a Business Profile or certificate and you want to confirm its authenticity.
ACRA Company Search Before Incorporation
If you are planning to incorporate a Singapore company, you can also use BizFile search to check whether your preferred business name is available.
ACRA’s BizFile search functions include an Entity search and a Reserved name search. The Reserved name search helps users check whether a desired business name is already reserved. If a name is available and approved, it can generally be reserved for 120 days.
This is especially useful for foreign entrepreneurs who want to protect a brand name before completing incorporation.
However, name availability is not only about whether the exact name is taken. ACRA may reject names that are undesirable, identical to existing names, too similar to existing names, or subject to referral because of regulated activities.
A corporate service provider can help screen proposed names before submission to reduce delays.
How ACRA Search Supports Due Diligence
Business information is useful for basic risk assessment, including checking whether a business is trustworthy before engaging with it.
For foreign entrepreneurs, this is especially relevant when entering a new market. You may use ACRA information to check:
- Whether a Singapore company exists
- Whether it is still registered
- Who its directors are
- Whether the business activity matches the transaction
- Whether the entity appears newly incorporated or long established
- Whether the registered address seems consistent with its business model
This does not replace legal, tax, or financial due diligence, but it is a good first step.
How a Corporate Service Provider Can Help
For foreign founders, ACRA company search is often only one part of the Singapore setup process. After checking name availability or verifying market information, you may need help with incorporation and ongoing compliance.
A professional corporate service provider can assist with:
- Singapore company incorporation
- Company name application and reservation
- Registered office address services
- Nominee director arrangements where required
- Corporate secretarial services
- ACRA filings and annual return support
- Business Profile and company document retrieval
- Compliance reminders and statutory record maintenance
This support is particularly helpful if you are based overseas and are not familiar with Singapore’s filing systems, director requirements, or statutory deadlines.
FAQ: ACRA Company Search for Foreigners
Is ACRA company search free?
Basic entity searches on BizFile are generally free. However, detailed documents such as the ACRA business profile must be purchased.
Where do I perform an ACRA company search?
You can perform the search through BizFile, ACRA’s official digital portal for business registration, filing, and information services.
What is a UEN?
UEN stands for Unique Entity Number. It is the identification number assigned to registered entities in Singapore.
Do I need a Singpass to search for a company?
You can search and buy certain business information as a guest, although some services require login. ACRA’s Business Profile purchase guide allows checkout as a guest or after logging in.
Is an ACRA business profile the same as a Certificate of Incorporation?
No. A Certificate of Incorporation confirms that the company has been incorporated. A Business Profile provides more detailed information about the company, such as directors, shareholders, registered address, and business activities.
Can I check if my desired company name is available?
Yes. You can use BizFile’s Entity search and Reserved name search to check existing or reserved names.
Final Thoughts
An ACRA company search is a simple but powerful tool for anyone doing business in Singapore. For foreign entrepreneurs, it helps with company name planning, due diligence, partner verification, and post-incorporation checks.
By learning how to use BizFile and interpret ACRA records, you can make more informed decisions before incorporating a company or entering into business relationships in Singapore.
If you are planning to set up a Singapore company, professional guidance can help you move from initial ACRA searches to proper incorporation, registered address setup, corporate secretarial compliance, and ongoing filing support. This ensures your Singapore company is established correctly from the start and remains compliant as it grows.