Company Name in Costa Rica: What Law 10729 Changed and How to Protect Your Business Now
Since May 30, 2025, companies incorporating as a Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) or Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.) in Costa Rica can no longer register a company name. Law 10729 eliminated that option: the National Registry now assigns only a corporate identification number (cédula jurídica) as the official identifier. If your business needs a name that distinguishes it in the market, the correct path is now to register a commercial name with the Intellectual Property Registry — and if you sell products or services under a brand, to register that trademark as well.
- Law 10729, effective May 30, 2025. Company names are eliminated for S.A. and S.R.L. The company is identified by its corporate ID number.
- No more edict in La Gaceta for incorporating companies without a name — lower costs, faster process.
- Commercial name replaces the company name as the proper way to protect your business identity against third parties.
- Existing companies are not affected. Those that registered a company name before the reform keep it unchanged.
- Exception: entities regulated by special laws (such as those supervised by SUGEF) and branches of foreign companies must still use a company name.
Commercial Law · Intellectual Property
What changed with Law 10729
The reform streamlines company formation and eliminates a step that had lost practical value. Under the previous system, company names were frequently rejected for duplication, caused registration delays, and added publication costs without providing meaningful legal protection.
As of May 30, 2025, when incorporating a new S.A. or S.R.L. the National Registry assigns only the corporate identification number (cédula jurídica) as the official identifier. A company name is no longer accepted or required. The law was published in La Gaceta on May 30, 2025.
Before and after the reform
| Before Law 10729 | Since May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Registering a company name was optional. | Company names are no longer accepted for S.A. or S.R.L. |
| The name had to be unique and checked for duplicates. | The company is identified by its corporate ID number. |
| An edict had to be published in La Gaceta. | No edict publication is required. |
| Name reservation was needed before filing. | Commercial identity is protected through a commercial name or trademark registration. |
Commercial name and trademark: how to protect your business now
The elimination of the company name does not mean your business should operate without an identity. On the contrary: protecting that identity now runs through the registration of a commercial name with the Intellectual Property Registry, and in most cases through a trademark registration for your products or services.
| Feature | Commercial name | Trademark |
|---|---|---|
| Protects | The business or company identity | The products or services you offer |
| Right arises from | First use (Art. 64, Law 7978) | Registration (Art. 4, Law 7978) |
| Term | Lasts while in use | 10 years, renewable indefinitely (Art. 20) |
| Protection against | Confusingly similar names (Art. 66) | Similar or identical marks |
The practical recommendation is to register both: the commercial name protects who you are, the trademark protects what you sell. With the company name eliminated, these are the only two legal paths to business identity with enforceable protection.
Trademark connection: if you need to determine which Nice class your trademark falls under, use our Nice Classification class finder. For the full registration process, see our guide to trademark registration in Costa Rica.
Is an edict in La Gaceta still required?
No. Under Article 92 of the National Registry Regulation, when using the corporate identification number as the official identifier, no edict publication is required for incorporating companies without a name. In practice, this reduces costs and speeds up the formation process.
Who still needs a company name
The reform has two exceptions:
- Entities regulated by special legislation, such as those supervised by SUGEF (banks, financial institutions, savings cooperatives), which require an identifiable name under their sector-specific regulations.
- Branches of foreign companies, which under Articles 226 to 233 of the Commercial Code must register with the parent company’s denomination.
If your business falls under either of these categories, the company name requirement remains in effect. When in doubt, verify whether your commercial activity is subject to a special law before assuming the reform applies.
Existing companies: what happens to them
Companies registered before May 30, 2025, keep their company name unchanged. The reform is prospective: it applies to new incorporations, not existing ones. Your company does not need to modify its registration or lose its registered name.
However, if your company name is not also protected as a commercial name, a third party could register a similar name with the Intellectual Property Registry. The registered company name and the commercial name are different legal instruments with different protections. Having one does not guarantee the other.
What your company should do now
Three concrete steps depending on your situation:
- Incorporating a new company: do not attempt to register a company name — the Registry will not accept it. Incorporate with the corporate ID number and immediately register a commercial name and, if applicable, your trademark.
- Your company already exists with a company name: verify whether that name is also protected as a commercial name. If not, a third party could use a similar name in the marketplace without legal consequence.
- Your company is regulated by SUGEF or is a foreign branch: confirm that your specific situation still falls under the exception regime before modifying any documentation.
Need to register your commercial name or trademark after the reform?
TALK TO AG LEGALFrequently asked questions
- Is a company name still required to incorporate in Costa Rica?
- No. Since May 30, 2025, Law 10729 eliminated company names for S.A. and S.R.L. The company is identified by its corporate ID number, and commercial identity is protected through a commercial name or trademark.
- What happens to companies that already had a company name?
- They keep it unchanged. The reform applies only to new incorporations. However, if that name is not also registered as a commercial name, a third party could use a similar one.
- What is the difference between a commercial name and a trademark?
- A commercial name protects the identity of the business (who you are); a trademark protects the products or services you offer (what you sell). They are registered separately and it is recommended to have both.
- Is edict publication still required?
- No, if the company is incorporated without a company name, which is now the standard. This reduces costs and speeds up the process.
- Are there exceptions to the elimination of the company name?
- Yes. Entities regulated by special laws (such as those supervised by SUGEF) and branches of foreign companies (Articles 226 to 233 of the Commercial Code) must still use a company name.
- How do I register a commercial name in Costa Rica?
- Through the Intellectual Property Registry, with legal assistance to verify availability and avoid conflicts. AG Legal’s IP team handles this process.
Need help navigating the company name reform?
AG Legal guides local and international clients through incorporation under Law 10729, commercial name and trademark registration, and verification of existing protections. Corporate law and intellectual property in one team.
TALK TO AG LEGALRelated guides
- Trademark Registration in Costa Rica: The Local Filing Rule
- Nice Classification: Find Your Trademark Class
- Trademark Enforcement in Costa Rica
- Intellectual Property and Branding Protection Services
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney–client relationship. Source: Law No. 10729, published in La Gaceta on May 30, 2025; Law No. 7978, Law on Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs; Commercial Code of Costa Rica, Articles 226–233. Consult a qualified attorney before making decisions based on this content.