Changing a company's name

You may wish to change your 's name for a variety of reasons, and the process is relatively straightforward from a legal perspective.

This section will help you to understand what you need to do in order to legally change your 's name and be aware of the practical steps you need to take once the change has been made.

When and how to change a company's name

  1. 1.When can I change the name of my company?
  2. 2.How do I change the name of my company?

Objections to a change of name

  1. 3.Could Companies House refuse to allow me to change my company's name?
  2. 4.Can I be forced to change my company's name?

Filings required on a change of name

  1. 5.What filings with Companies House do I need to make when changing the name of my company?

When a change of name takes effect

  1. 6.When does a change of name for my company become effective?

Steps you need to take after changing your company's name

  1. 7.What steps do I need to take after changing the name of my company?

Filing copy of shareholder written resolution to change company name

Use this filing copy of shareholders' written resolution to change your company name as the last step in the proper name changing process. This filing copy of your shareholders' resolution makes getting the right paperwork to file at Companies House quick and easy. It is for use if you file documents at Companies House by posting them in. You do not need a filing copy of your resolution if you use the WebFiling service. Whether online or by post, you must file the right documentation within 15 days of your shareholders passing their resolution. Once you have got board and shareholder approval of the name change, you need to: send this filing copy of the resolution changing your company's registered name to Companies House; send a completed copy of form NM01 to Companies House; and pay the filing fee. See Changing a company's name for full guidance on the process to follow if you want to change your company's registered name.
£20 + VAT

Board minutes to change a company's registered name

Use these board minutes to change a company name if you want to get your directors' approval to a name change in a board meeting. Although you can change the name that you trade under if you want to, you cannot change the actual name of your company without following the proper process of getting approvals from both your directors and shareholders, and filing the necessary paperwork at Companies House. You can use these board minutes for the directors' approval part of the process. These board minutes and accompanying guidance are drafted for a company with model articles of association. If your directors would prefer a written resolution to holding a board meeting, you can use Written board resolution to change company name . If your company only has one director, you should use Sole director resolution to change company name instead.
£20 + VAT
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