Key Takeaways
You can change your company name at Companies House without changing your company number or starting a new limited company. The existing company simply continues under a different name.
There are two main routes: by special resolution of members (form NM01, which you can file online) or by directors' resolution if allowed in the company's articles of association (form NM04, filed by post).
Current Companies House fees are £20 for standard online filing, £30 by post, and £85 for the same day service. Companies House processes name change requests within 24–72 hours for online submissions.
After approval, you receive a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name. You must then update your bank, inform HMRC, update contracts, website, stationery, and signage within strict timeframes.
A name change does not affect existing contracts, tax records, or the company's legal identity, but you must still meet all naming rules and trademark laws.
Introduction: Changing the Name of an Existing Company
Whether it is a rebrand, a merger, or a need to resolve trademark conflicts, there are plenty of reasons UK businesses decide to change your company name. The name change process includes legal compliance and brand rollout phases, and this guide walks you through both for private limited companies registered with Companies House.
This article mainly covers changing a limited company name in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in 2026. The process is different for sole traders, partnerships, and a limited liability partnership, though some principles overlap. Your company number stays the same after a name change, so the existing company continues legally with a new company name attached to the same registration.
You can change a company name both before and after formation, and we will cover both scenarios below. All references to fees, forms (NM01, NM04), and online filing relate to current companies house requirements in force around 2025–2026. Always double-check the latest GOV.UK guidance before filing.
Changing Your Company Name Before Formation Is Complete
If you are still in the company formation process and have not yet had the company incorporated by Companies House, changing the proposed name is quick and normally free.
Within an online incorporation application, you can edit the proposed company name in the "Company details" or "Review" sections before final submission. Simply replace the existing company name with the new one, making sure it still ends with "Limited" or "Ltd" (or the Welsh equivalents where applicable).
Use the official Companies House name availability checker to confirm the new name is not identical or too similar to names already on the companies house register. Because the company does not yet exist, you do not need a special resolution or a formal name-change filing. It is just an amendment to the draft application before Companies House issues the first certificate of incorporation.
Why You Might Want to Change an Existing Company Name
There are many concrete reasons to officially change the registered name of an existing limited company. Here are the most common.
Rebranding. Businesses often change names for rebranding purposes. A tech start-up registered in 2019 as "ABC Apps Ltd" might rebrand in 2026 to "ABC AI Solutions Ltd" to reflect new AI consultancy services. A successful name change can inject fresh energy and buzz into a brand, signalling evolution to clients and investors alike.
Mergers and acquisitions. Name changes can reflect mergers or acquisitions. For example, "Greenfield Plumbing Ltd" acquires "City Heat Services Ltd" and adopts a combined name like "Greenfield City Heating Ltd." Companies change names to align with strategic shifts like these.
Legal and regulatory reasons. Companies may change names to correct legal misunderstandings, such as Companies House ruling that a name is "too like" another, or businesses change names to resolve trademark conflicts after receiving a complaint about similarity to an established competitor.
Modernisation and expansion. Updating a name can help modernize a brand image. A business name that felt right in 2015 may carry outdated or culturally insensitive connotations in 2026. The new name might need to translate well for international markets during expansion, too, such as adding "UK" or "Global" to signal geographic focus.
Keep in mind that changing a name requires significant investment to re-establish brand recognition, so weigh the benefits carefully before starting the process.
Rules and Restrictions for New Company Names
Before you change your limited company name, you must ensure the new name complies with Companies House naming rules under uk company law and does not infringe trademarks.
"Same as" rules. A new name must not be identical to an existing company name on the register. Minor differences in punctuation or certain special characters usually do not make a name unique. For example, "Hands Ltd" and "Hand's UK Ltd" would likely be treated as the same name. Special characters alone will not save you.
"Too like" names. Companies House can order a change if a new name is too similar in appearance or sound to another. "Easy Electrics For You Ltd" and "EZ Electrix 4U Ltd" could trigger an objection. A valid complaint can be made within 12 months.
Sensitive and restricted words. Names suggesting government connection or regulated status (such as "Authority", "Chartered", or "Accredited") require permission from specified bodies. Offensive or misleading names are banned outright.
Trademark versus company registration. Registering a company name at Companies House does not give you trade mark rights. Trade marks are handled by the UK Intellectual Property Office under separate rules and fees. Name availability checks prevent trademark infringement during a name change, so always search the IPO register alongside the Companies House checker.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Company Name with Companies House
There are two main legal routes to change your company name: by members' special resolution or by directors' resolution if the company's articles of association permit.
Step 1: Check name availability. Search the Companies House name checker to confirm your new name is not identical or too similar to names already on the register. Consider a basic UK trade mark search as well.
Step 2: Pass the resolution. For the special resolution route, shareholders (members) must pass a special resolution approving the new limited company name. A 75% majority is required for a members' resolution. The wording should be clear, dated, and signed. If the company's articles allow the directors to approve a name change, the board can pass a written resolution instead.
Step 3: File form NM01 (special resolution route). Complete form NM01, attach a copy of the special resolution, and either file online (standard fee £20) or post it with a cheque (£30) to the applicable Companies House office. Form NM01 must be submitted to Companies House within 15 days of the resolution being passed.
Step 4: File form NM04 (directors' resolution route). If the company's articles specifically allow directors to change the name, the board passes its resolution and then files form NM04 by post with the fee within 15 days.
In both routes, the change is not effective until Companies House has registered it and issued a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name. A Certificate of Incorporation confirms the name change and shows the effective date.
Online Filing vs Postal Filing
The fastest way to change your company name is usually to file online at Companies House using NM01 with a special resolution. Companies House processes name change requests within 24–72 hours for standard online filing.
Postal filings (NM01 or NM04) take longer, often up to a week or more, and require a cheque or postal order. This may not suit businesses working to a tight rebrand launch date. Here is a quick fee comparison:
Filing method | Fee | Typical processing time |
|---|---|---|
Online (standard) | £20 | 24–72 hours |
Online (same day service) | £85 | Same business day |
Post (standard) | £30 | 5–10 working days |
Always confirm current prices on GOV.UK, as fees can change. If you need written confirmation urgently, the same day service is worth the premium.
When You Can Start Using Your New Company Name
You can start using the new name after Companies House approval and the certificate has been issued, not merely when the resolution is passed. For online filings, confirmation is often received via email within about 24–48 hours, whereas postal filings can take several working days before the new name appears on the public register.
Wait for the certificate before updating bank accounts, signing contracts, or issuing invoices in the new name. Although branding teasers can be prepared in advance, any legal documents should use the official registered name showing at Companies House at the time they are signed.
What Stays the Same After a Company Name Change
Changing your company name does not create a new legal entity in the sense of dissolving and reforming. The existing company continues under a different name. However, changing a company name does create a new legal identity in terms of how the business presents itself publicly.
Here is what remains unchanged:
The company number allocated at incorporation stays exactly the same and is the key identifier used by Companies House, banks, and HMRC.
The original incorporation date does not change.
A name change does not affect the corporation's existing liabilities or assets.
Contracts remain valid but should reflect the new company name for clarity. Existing contracts, leases, and agreements remain valid because the legal entity has not changed, though parties should be notified.
Historic statutory filings at Companies House (such as confirmation statements and accounts) remain accessible under the new name, with the old name shown in filing history.
Keep the original certificate of incorporation after a name change. It is part of your company's permanent records.
After Approval: Updating Your Records and Telling Stakeholders
Once Companies House approves the new company name, there is a short window (typically 14 days) in which both names can appear together. After that, only the new name should be used on official materials.
Internal updates: Update invoicing software, payroll records, HR documentation, and email address details to reflect the new business name. Your company secretarial team or whoever oversees statutory filings should ensure all internal records are aligned.
External updates: Notify your bank to update business account names. Contact key suppliers, landlords, insurers, major customers, and online payment providers. Provide partners with written confirmation of the change.
Regulatory updates: You must notify HMRC after changing your company name. Update HMRC records for corporation tax, VAT, PAYE, and CIS where applicable. Inform the corporation tax office via your Government Gateway account. Ensure all tax records reflect the new name so your organisation comply with regulatory procedures. Update contracts to reflect your new company name across all agreements.
Branding updates: Update the website domain and footer, social media handles, signage at the registered office and trading address, vehicle livery, company seals (if used), and marketing materials. Your logo, brochures, and business cards all need to reflect the new name.
Updating Your Business Bank Account and Finance Agreements
The name registered on your company's bank accounts must match the official company name on the companies house register to avoid payment and compliance issues. Contact your relationship manager or branch, fill in a change-of-name form, and provide a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name.
Finance agreements, overdrafts, merchant services, and card processing facilities may also need formal amendments or side letters. During the transition, watch for any payments made to the old name and clarify with the bank how these will be handled.
Updating Stationery, Signage, and Online Presence
UK rules require a limited company to display its registered name on its website, at its registered office, and on letterheads, order forms, and invoices. You must update all business stationery within 14 days of the effective date.
For a short transitional period, some businesses show both names together, such as "NewName Ltd (formerly OldName Ltd)", before moving fully to the new name. Items to update include:
Email signatures and legal disclaimers
Contract templates and purchase order forms
Packaging, labels, and adverts
Domain names and social media handles
Securing new domain names is crucial for maintaining SEO during a name change. Plan a clear communication strategy explaining the name change to customers and partners, including the effective date and assurance that the company number and ownership remain unchanged. This approach is responsible and helps maintain trust with clients.
Special Situations and Common Pitfalls
Here are frequent issues that arise during company name changes and how to avoid them.
Timing problems. Planning a big rebrand campaign for a specific launch date before receiving Companies House approval is risky. Allow extra time in case filings are delayed. A company secretarial team that is maintaining high standards will build buffer days into the timeline.
Trademark conflicts. Choosing a new name that infringes an existing UK trade mark or is too like a competitor can lead to forced changes. Do basic checks and, where appropriate, seek professional legal advice. Your company name service provider or company secretarial procedures should include this step.
Insolvency restrictions. During insolvency, administration, or liquidation, changing the company name may be restricted or require consent from an insolvency practitioner. This also applies to a public limited company in similar circumstances.
Forgotten updates. Forgetting to update internal policies, health and safety documents, data protection notices, and customer contracts can lead to inconsistent branding. A company secretarial approach that oversees regulatory procedures ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Trading names confusion. If you plan to use trading names alongside the registered name, or use a different name for marketing, make sure the registered name always appears on legal documents. This applies whether you are trading under a completely different name or simply shortening it.
The key to avoiding pitfalls is preparation. Complete your checks, line up your stakeholders, and treat the name change as a project with both a legal track and a brand rollout track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to practical questions directors often raise when changing a company name, covering details not fully addressed above.
Does changing my company name affect my tax registrations with HMRC?
Your corporation tax, VAT, PAYE, and CIS registrations remain linked to your company number, so a name change does not reset your tax history or obligations. You must still inform HMRC of the new company name for each tax or scheme you are registered for, usually via your Government Gateway account or by writing to the relevant HMRC office. Any HMRC correspondence will then be updated to show the new name, but previous letters may still display the old name for historical periods.
Can I keep using my old company name as a trading name?
After the official name change, you can in principle use your former company name purely as an unregistered trading name, provided it does not mislead or infringe third-party rights. You must still display the registered limited company name (the new name) on legal documents and invoices, clearly identifying that the trading name belongs to that company. Using multiple trading names can confuse customers and regulators, so clear disclosure and high standards of branding consistency are important.
Do I need to change my articles of association when I change my company name?
In most cases, you do not need to re-write or re-file your memorandum or articles of association solely because of a company name change. Companies House records the new name on the public register and on the certificate, while the original incorporation documents remain historically accurate. If you also want to change how future name changes are authorised (for example, allowing directors to approve them), you may update your articles at the same time by special resolution and file the new version.
How long does it usually take for Companies House to show my new company name?
Standard online filings are often processed within 24–48 working hours, and sometimes on the same day if submitted early and the same day service is used. Postal submissions can take several working days to a week. Wait until the new name appears on the public register and you have received the digital certificate before making high-profile public announcements.
Can I reverse a company name change if I change my mind?
There is no simple "undo" button. To revert, the company must go through the same formal process again, following all rules and paying the relevant fees. Carry out thorough checks, stakeholder consultations, and test marketing before filing the first name change. Multiple name changes in a short period can confuse customers and may look unstable to lenders and suppliers, so get it right the first time.
