Change your company name

What's included

• £20 Companies House fee (standard online service)The government fee Companies House charges for this filing. It's already included in our price, so there's nothing extra to pay.
• Availability check against the Companies House index
• Check for sensitive words that need permission
• Advice on the 'same as' and 'too like' rules
• Special resolution drafted for shareholders to sign
• Preparation and online filing of form NM01
• Certificate of incorporation on change of name (PDF)The official certificate from Companies House proving your company exists, with its name, number and date of incorporation.
• Checklist of what to update after the change

Who needs this service

You might change your company's name after a rebrand, a change of business direction, a merger, or because the original name was chosen in a hurry. The company stays the same legal entity: its company number, bank account, contracts and tax references do not change. Only the name does.

Two ways to change a name

1. Special resolution (most common). The shareholders pass a special resolution, which needs at least 75% of the votes. For most small companies this is done as a written resolution signed by the shareholders. The change is then filed with Companies House on form NM01 with a copy of the resolution.

2. A method set out in your articles. Some articles of association allow the directors or another process to change the name. In that case a different form (NM04) is used with notice that the method in the articles was followed. We check your articles and use whichever method applies.

Rules for the new name

Before we file, we check the name against Companies House rules:

• 'Same as' names. You cannot register a name that is the same as an existing one. Some differences do not count — for example "Ltd" versus "Limited", "UK" or "& Co" added after a space, a plural "s", punctuation, "the" at the start, or "and" written as "&". So "Real Coffee Cafe UK Ltd" is the same as "Real Coffee Cafe Limited".
• 'Too like' names. A name that is different but very similar to an existing company's name can be challenged by that company within 12 months of registration. Companies House can then order you to change it.
• Sensitive words. Some words — such as "British", "Institute" or words suggesting a link with government — need approval, sometimes with a letter of non-objection from a specified body.
• Offensive or misleading names are not allowed.

A company name is not a trade mark. If the name matters to your brand, check the trade mark register too, or speak to a trade mark adviser.

How it works

1. Order online and tell us the new name.
2. We check availability, sensitive words and similar names, and tell you of any risks.
3. We prepare the special resolution for your shareholders to sign.
4. We file form NM01 and pay the Companies House fee.
5. Once registered, we send you the certificate of incorporation on change of name.

The change takes effect on the date Companies House registers it.

Fees and timing

Our £100 price includes the £20 Companies House fee for the standard online service, which usually takes a few working days. If you need the change registered on the same day, Companies House charges £85 instead; we will confirm the extra cost before filing.

After the change

The new name must appear on your website, letters, invoices, emails and order forms, and on a sign at the registered office and any place of business. Tell your bank, HMRC, customers and suppliers. Note that a company that has changed its name in the last 3 months cannot apply for voluntary strike-off.

Before you choose a new name, you can try our free company name check. If you need to prove the new name to a bank or overseas authority, order a Certificate of Good Standing, and we can prepare any board resolutions and minutes that go with it.

Frequently asked questions

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