Chapter III - Incorporation of Limited Liability Partnership and Matters Incidental Thereto
Section 16
Section 16: Reservation of name
A person may apply to the Registrar to reserve a name for a proposed LLP or an LLP’s intended new name. The Registrar may reserve an acceptable name for three months from the date of intimation.
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Need advice on Section 16?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) A person may apply in such form and manner and accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed to the Registrar for the reservation of a name set out in the application as— (a) the name of a proposed limited liability partnership; or (b) the name to which a limited liability partnership proposes to change its name. (2) Upon receipt of an application under sub-section (1) and on payment of the prescribed fee, the Registrar may, if he is satisfied, subject to the rules prescribed by the Central Government in the matter, that the name to be reserved is not one which may be rejected on any ground referred to in sub-section (2) of section 15, reserve the name for a period of three months from the date of intimation by the Registrar.
Key takeaways
Two purposes
Reservation may concern a proposed LLP or the name an existing LLP proposes to adopt.
Prescribed application
Form, manner and fee are prescribed.
Three months
An accepted reservation runs for three months from the Registrar’s intimation, subject to section 15(2) and prescribed rules.
Identify the application purpose
State whether the name is for a proposed LLP or a change to an existing LLP’s registered name.
Apply the section 15 filters
The Registrar’s satisfaction is subject to prescribed Central Government rules and the rejection grounds in section 15(2). A filing does not guarantee reservation.
Calendar the reservation window
The three-month period begins with the date of the Registrar’s intimation. Plan incorporation or name-change filings within that window and verify current procedural rules.
Practical preparation
Review these points for the specific transaction or filing.
- State whether the application is for a proposed LLP or an existing LLP’s new name.
- Use the prescribed application form, manner and fee.
- Check the proposed name against section 15(2) before applying.
- Track the three-month reservation period from the Registrar’s intimation.
Practical checklist
Do
- Record the Registrar’s date of intimation.
- Check current form, fee and name rules before applying.
Avoid
- Do not assume a reserved name incorporates the LLP.
- Do not count three months from your application date when the section says intimation date.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical: a reserved name lapses
Fern LLP receives intimation that its proposed new name has been reserved.
Record intimation
Use the Registrar’s intimation date to calculate the reservation period.
Plan next filing
Arrange any change-of-name filing while the three-month reservation remains available.
Recheck if delayed
If the period expires, reassess name availability before relying on it.
Outcome
- Section 16(2) provides a three-month reservation measured from the Registrar’s intimation; reservation itself does not change an LLP’s registered name.
Glossary
- Name reservation
- The Registrar’s temporary reservation of a proposed or replacement LLP name.
- Date of intimation
- The Registrar’s communicated date from which the three-month reservation period runs.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a reserved name held?
Section 16(2) provides three months from the Registrar’s intimation.
Can an existing LLP reserve a replacement name?
Yes. Section 16(1)(b) expressly covers a name to which an LLP proposes to change its name.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026