Shareholder written resolution to change a company's registered name

  • Quick and easy to complete
  • Necessary to document your shareholder(s) approval to a change of name
  • Compliant with Companies Act 2006 and the model articles of association

This is a shareholder written resolution, for use by a company changing its registered name. The resolution should be circulated to all of your shareholders, and will be passed as soon as it is signed by the holder(s) of 75% or more of your shares.

If you want to change your company’s registered name, it is not just a case of filing the necessary form at Companies House. Before doing so, you will need to obtain approvals from both your director(s) and shareholder(s). This resolution contains the necessary shareholder approval. To obtain the separate director approval that is also required, you can use either our board minutes or written board resolution (if your company has more than one director), or our sole director resolution (if your company has only one director). You will need to obtain both director and shareholder approval to the proposed change, even if the same individual is both the sole director and sole shareholder of a company.

This shareholder written resolution, and accompanying guidance, is drafted for a company with model articles of association. If your company has modified articles of association, or a shareholders’ agreement, you may be required to follow a different process in order to change your company’s name. You should therefore check the terms of any such modified articles or shareholders’ agreement before using this template.

Q&A

  • When should I use this document?

    You should use this shareholder written resolution if your company is changing its registered name. The resolution should be circulated to all of your shareholders, and will be passed when it is signed by the holder(s) of 75% or more of your shares.

    Note, this resolution is intended for use by a company with model articles of association. If your company has modified articles, or a shareholders’ agreement, before using this template you should check the terms of each document to identify whether an alternative process should be followed in order to change your company’s name.

  • What does this document cover?

    This document contains a shareholders’ special resolution changing your company’s registered name. It also contains instructions for shareholder(s) on how they should respond to the resolution after they have received it.

  • Why do I need this document?

    You need this document as the Companies Act 2006 and the model articles of association require you to pass a shareholder special resolution in order to change your company's name. Using this template will ensure that you follow the correct legal process to validly complete your change of name.

  • Where can I find out more?

    For further guidance on all the steps you should follow in order to change your company’s registered name, see Changing a company’s name.

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