Companies House Change Of Name: Filing, Essential Rules, and Costs

A Companies House change of name is a mandatory statutory procedure governed by the Companies Act 2006 that allows a registered corporate entity to alter its official title on the public register maintained by the Registrar of Companies.

Key Takeaway

• A corporate name change requires a 75% majority shareholder vote through a special resolution unless company articles specify alternative provisions.

• Standard digital applications submitted via the Companies House WebFiling service are typically processed and updated within 24 hours.

• Paper submissions using Form NM01 require physical postal delivery and take significantly longer to process through the registry.

• Altering a registered corporate title modifies only the public identity, leaving company numbers, contracts, and liabilities entirely intact.

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), corporate banking providers, and commercial partners must be notified immediately following registry approval.

How to File a Change of Name with Companies House?

To file a change of name with Companies House, you must follow a structured procedure that combines internal corporate approval with formal registry submission.

1. Check Name Availability

Before starting any paperwork, cross-reference your proposed name against the official Companies House register to ensure it is not identical or too similar to an existing entity.

Check for restricted terms that require prior government authorization and review the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) database to avoid trademark conflicts.

2. Obtain Internal Shareholder Approval

Convene a board meeting or circulate written documentation to propose the rebranding. You must secure at least a 75% majority vote from eligible shareholders via a formal special resolution during a general meeting or through signed written resolutions.

3. Prepare and Submit the Application

Choose your preferred filing method and submit the required documentation along with the appropriate fee:

• Online WebFiling: The fastest and most cost-effective method (£8 standard fee, or £50 for same-day processing if submitted before the cut-off). To access the digital service securely, ensure you have your active Companies House authentication code ready before logging into the portal.

• Paper Submission (Form NM01): Requires physical postal delivery (£30 standard fee, or £100 for same-day processing) and takes several working days to clear.

4. Wait for the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name

The legal identity alteration does not take effect when shareholders vote or when paperwork is posted.

You must wait for the Registrar of Companies to issue the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name, which bears the official date and time the change becomes legally active.

5. Execute Post-Approval Notifications

Once the certificate is issued, systematically update all key external stakeholders and internal records:

• Notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for Corporation Tax, PAYE, and VAT.

• Update corporate bank accounts, credit card providers, and merchant facilities.

• Revise official business stationery, invoices, website footers, and email signatures.

• Update internal statutory registers, including the Persons with Significant Control (PSC) register and company books.

• Review and update commercial contracts, property leases, and insurance policies.

When Is It Necessary for a Companies House Change of Name?

A company must execute a Companies House change of name whenever corporate rebranding, structural restructuring, or brand protection requires a formal alteration of the official identity recorded on public files.

In practice, businesses initiate this administrative step during corporate mergers, pivots in commercial direction, or when resolving trademark disputes with external entities.

Under current UK regulations, trading under a brand name that differs from the registered corporate title requires strict adherence to business stationery disclosure rules, making a formal registry update essential for long-term operational clarity.

What Are the Rules for Choosing a New Company Name?

Choosing a new corporate title involves satisfying strict statutory naming standards enforced by the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act 2006. Selecting a restricted term without proper authorization will result in immediate rejection by the registry.

• The proposed name must not be identical or overly similar to an existing name already registered on the index.

• Restricted words and expressions (such as British, Institute, Trust, or Royal) require official advance approval from the Secretary of State or relevant government bodies.

• Names that imply a misleading connection to government departments or public authorities are strictly prohibited.

• Offensive, profane, or abusive terms are barred from entry on the corporate register.

How to Check If Your New Company Name Is Available?

Verifying name availability before drafting resolutions prevents costly administrative rejections and aborted shareholder meetings.

When reviewing options, directors must utilize the official Companies House online beta search tool to cross-reference the proposed title against active, dissolved, and pending company entries.

If a prospective title closely mirrors an existing trademark registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the business risks facing corporate passing-off claims or forced administrative changes later.

Checking availability thoroughly ensures the chosen identity can clear regulatory screening without legal obstruction.

What Approval Do You Need Before Filing a Change of Name?

Executing a Companies House change of name legally requires obtaining explicit internal authorization before paperwork can be submitted to the registry.

1. Convene a formal board meeting or circulate written documentation to review the proposed corporate rebranding strategy.

2. Draft a formal special resolution explicitly stating the adoption of the new company name for shareholder review.

3. Secure at least a 75% majority vote in favor from eligible shareholders during a general meeting or via written resolution.

4. File the signed resolution document alongside the registry application within 15 days of its formal passage.

Proper documentation of internal consent is mandatory for corporate governance compliance under the Companies Act 2006.

How Much Does a Companies House Change of Name Cost?

The cost of altering a corporate title depends entirely on the chosen filing method and the speed of processing required.

Filing Method	Administrative Form	Standard Submission Fee	Same-Day Expedited Fee	Typical Registry Processing Window
Online WebFiling	Digital Portal	£8	£50 (Same-day digital)	24 hours (if submitted before cut-off)
Paper Submission	Form NM01	£30	£100 (Same-day paper)	5 to 10 working days

Additional fees apply if professional secretarial agencies or corporate accountants manage the filing on behalf of the directors.

How Long Does a Change of Name Take to Process?

Processing durations vary based on the channel used to submit the documentation to the Registrar of Companies.

Digital applications submitted through the official web portal are normally processed within 24 hours, frequently updating within a single business day if lodged during standard operating hours.

Conversely, paper applications using Form NM01 sent via post require manual inspection, extending the turnaround window to several working days or up to two weeks during peak registry volume periods though businesses facing administrative delays can sometimes review options similar to a Companies House filing extension depending on the specific statutory filing type involved.

When Does the Name Change Actually Take Legal Effect?

A Companies House change of name does not become legally active the moment shareholders vote or when paperwork is posted. The identity alteration officially takes effect only on the precise date and time printed on the official certificate issued by the Registrar of Companies.

Trading under the new brand name, issuing commercial invoices, or updating external contracts before that certificate date constitutes a regulatory breach. Directors must wait for formal registry confirmation before altering public-facing corporate identifiers.

What Document Do You Get After a Successful Change of Name?

Upon approving an application, the Registrar of Companies generates a definitive legal document known as the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name.

This official certificate records the previous corporate title, the newly approved name, the company registration number, and the exact date of issue.

 Companies must retain both digital and physical copies of this certificate at their registered office address, which can also be managed alongside updates like a correspondence address on Companies House,as banking institutions, auditing partners, and government agencies require it as proof of identity modification.

Can Companies House Reject or Object to Your Change of Name?

Yes, Companies House holds statutory powers to reject or object to corporate name changes under specific legislative criteria.

If an application utilizes prohibited sensitive terms without government backing, mimics an existing protected trademark, or violates the rules regarding misleading public identity, the registrar will refuse the application.

Furthermore, under recent regulatory powers, the registry can direct a company to change its name post-approval if the title is later found to be misleading, offensive, or registered with malicious intent to disrupt fair competition.

How to Report a Change of Name for Key People?

Updating the company name is only half the battle. If a key individual changes their personal name, you must update both public records and internal company registers within strict deadlines.

• Company Directors (Form CH01): Notify Companies House within 14 days using Form CH01 (free to file). Also update your internal Register of Directors within 14 days.

• Company Secretaries (Form CH03): Submit Form CH03 within 14 days of the change (free of charge) and update your internal Register of Secretaries.

• Persons with Significant Control / PSCs (Form PS04): Update your internal PSC Register within 14 days, then file Form PS04 with Companies House within another 14 days (free to file).

• Shareholders / Members: While internal registers must be updated within 14 days, shareholder name changes on public records are typically submitted during your next annual Confirmation Statement, unless an early update is required for banking.

Who Must be Notified After Changing Your Company Name?

Completing registry formalities marks only the first phase of a corporate rebrand; directors must systematically update all operational touchpoints to maintain compliance.

• Notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Corporation Tax, PAYE, and VAT departments immediately.

• Update corporate bank accounts, merchant processing facilities, and credit card mandates using the new certificate.

• Revise business stationery, website footers, invoices, and email signatures to comply with transparency regulations.

• Update the Persons with Significant Control (PSC) register and internal statutory company books.

• Review commercial contracts, property leases, and insurance policies to ensure continuous legal coverage under the new title.

Comprehensive post-change updating eliminates regulatory penalties and banking disruptions.

Conclusion

Executing a Companies House change of name requires a disciplined, step-by-step approach combining governance approvals, accurate statutory filings, and thorough post-change compliance updates.

To proceed effectively, verify name availability on the registry, draft the required special resolution, submit the application via WebFiling, and systematically notify HMRC, banks, and key stakeholders once the new certificate is issued.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal or financial advice; consult a qualified professional for specific corporate guidance.

FAQs

Can I change my company name online?

Yes, companies can change their name online using the Companies House WebFiling service for an £8 fee, provided the company is registered for online digital filing.

Does changing a company name affect existing contracts or liabilities?

No, a change of company name does not create a new legal entity; all existing rights, obligations, contracts, and liabilities remain fully enforceable under the new name.

What is Form NM01 used for?

Form NM01 is the official paper document submitted to Companies House by companies that choose not to file their change of name online.

Does my company registration number change with a new name?

No, your company registration number remains entirely permanent throughout the lifetime of the corporate entity, regardless of how many times the trading or registered name changes.