How to Change Limited Company Name?
A limited company can change its name at any time after incorporation. The process is straightforward, but it must follow the correct legal route, use the right Companies House form, and comply with current naming rules. The name change does not take effect until Companies House registers it — at that point, it issues a certificate confirming the new name and the date it takes effect.
This guide covers both available routes for how to change limited company name, the steps involved, the applicable naming rules, and what needs to be updated once the change is confirmed.
Two routes to change limited company name
According to gov.uk, a company can change its name by either:
- a special resolution, or
- permission given in the company’s articles of association
Route 1: Special resolution
This is the standard route for most private limited companies. A special resolution requires at least 75% of the votes cast by members entitled to vote to be in favor of the change. The resolution can be passed at a general meeting or by written resolution. Once passed, form NM01 must be filed with Companies House along with a copy of the resolution.
Route 2: Articles of association
Some companies include a provision in their articles that allows the name to be changed by a decision of the board of directors, without requiring a shareholder vote. Where this power exists, form NM04 is used instead of NM01.
If the articles do not include this provision, Route 1 applies.
Step-by-Step: Changing by Special Resolution
Check name availability
Before putting a resolution to shareholders, use the Companies House name availability checker to confirm the proposed name is available. The new name must follow all the rules for company names see the naming rules section below.
Pass the special resolution
At least 75% of votes cast by members entitled to vote must be in favour. This is calculated by votes, not by the number of shareholders, because members may hold different numbers of shares.
File with Companies House
Submit form NM01 and a copy of the resolution. You can file online via the Companies House WebFiling service or by post. To file online, you will need your Companies House authentication code. From 18 November 2025, directors filing on behalf of the company must have verified their identity and hold a Companies House personal code.
Fees (current per gov.uk, as of November 2025):
- Online: £20
- Online same-day service: £83
- Postal: £30 (cheque payable to Companies House)
Receive the certificate
Once Companies House registers the change, it issues a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name. This certificate shows the old name, the new name, and the date the change took effect. The company's registration number does not change.
Naming Rules: What Companies House Will and Will Not Accept
The proposed name must follow the rules for company names set out on gov.uk. The key requirements are:
The name must not be the same as an existing name
“Same as” includes names where the only difference is punctuation, spacing, or minor word variations that do not meaningfully distinguish one name from another.
The name must end correctly.
A private limited company name must end with “Limited” or “Ltd.” A public limited company must end with “Public Limited Company” or “PLC.” Companies limited by guarantee may apply for exemption from the “Limited” requirement if certain conditions set out in the Companies Act 2006 are met.
Sensitive words require permission.
Certain words and expressions cannot be included in a company name without prior approval. These are words that may suggest business pre-eminence, a particular status, or a specific function, such as “British,” “Institute,” or “Tribunal,” or that imply a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration, or a local or specified public authority. Where a proposed name contains a sensitive word or expression, form NM06 must also be submitted alongside NM01, together with written confirmation from the relevant body.
ECCTA restrictions (from March 2024)
Under powers introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House can reject a name where it has reason to believe the name is intended to facilitate fraud, contains computer code, or is likely to give the false impression that the company is connected to a foreign government or international organization.
Companies House can also direct a company to change its name where the existing name has been used, or is intended to be used, to facilitate fraudulent activity. If the company fails to comply within 28 days, Companies House can assign a new name to the company, for example, changing it to the company’s registration number.
What Does Not Change
When you change a limited company name:
- The company registration number stays the same
- The company’s legal obligations and liabilities under the old name continue; a name change does not affect existing contracts or debts
- The old name remains on the Companies House register under “Previous company names.”
What Needs to Be Updated After the Change
Gov.uk confirms that when a company changes its name, HMRC must also be notified. This applies across all relevant HMRC registrations, including Corporation Tax, PAYE, and VAT.
Beyond HMRC, the following should also be updated.
Statutory
The company’s articles of association should be updated to remove or replace any references to the old name. The company’s statutory registers should also be updated.
Identity verification (from 18 November 2025)
Under the ECCTA, identity verification is now a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). New directors must verify their identity before being appointed. Existing directors must provide their Companies House personal code when filing the company’s next confirmation statement, within a 12-month transition period running to November 2026. Failing to comply may result in criminal penalties.
A company name change is a natural point to check that all directors and PSCs are verified and that personal codes are in order, particularly if the company will be filing other changes with Companies House at the same time.
Business operations
All contracts, invoices, letterheads, and company stationery must reflect the new name. The company’s bank accounts must also be updated with the new name, and new cheques or payment instruments may need to be ordered.
Third parties
Customers, suppliers, and business partners should be notified. Any licenses, professional registrations, or regulatory approvals held in the old name will need to be updated with the relevant bodies separately; these are not automatically updated when the Companies House record changes.
Intellectual Property
After a change in Limited company name, companies should conduct trademark searches, and any existing trademark registrations held in the old name will need to be updated.
Digital
Domain names, email addresses, website content, and social media accounts should be updated to reflect the new name.
Conclusion
Changing a limited company name is not a complex process, but each step must be completed correctly. The right form must be used, the naming rules must be satisfied before filing, and HMRC must be notified separately once the change is confirmed.
Since March 2024, Companies House has had stronger powers to reject names that give a false or misleading impression, so checking compliance before putting a resolution to shareholders saves time. From November 2025, identity verification is also a legal requirement for all directors and PSCs, and it should be completed before any filing is made with Companies House. Once the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name is received, the change is official, and the practical work of updating registrations, contracts, and communications should follow promptly.
Snena
Snena is an ACCA student with a flair for both numbers and design. She has the unique ability to blend strong financial insight with creative thinking to deliver smart, solution-driven content.