How to Change Your Company Name: A Step-by-Step Guide

Steps:	Sole traders	Partnerships	Companies
Formalities	Sole trader names must not include ‘limited’, ‘ltd’, ‘limited liability partnership’, ‘LLP’, ‘public limited company’, or ‘plc’.  The name cannot be offensive and requires permission if the name contains a ‘sensitive’ word or expression.  For more info on what words require permission, and from who, click here.	N/A	A new company must end in ‘Limited’ or PLC (etc).  Name must not be the same as one already registered.  Name must not contain certain sensitive words without permission, or a suggest connection to the government.  The name must not be offensive
Procedure	Search to see the availability of names through the Companies House Register.  You should also check to see if the new name is protected by a trademark, which can be done by clicking here.  You can also check if the domain name is available online using 123 Reg.  Sole traders do not need to register with Companies House, and instead require registering as self-employed under HMRC.  You need to contact HMRC to update the personal details about your business.  Secondly, you should collect necessary documents, such as official business licence documentation, or personal ID.  Make sure that you update your details for all taxes and schemes you are registered for, including Self Assessment.  You can write to HMRC or call the Income Tax Helpline for more help.	Search to see the availability of names through the Companies House Register.  You should also check to see if the new name is protected by a trademark, which can be done by clicking here.  You can also check if the domain name is available online using 123 Reg.  You must inform HMRC if you change the partnership name. You can do this by writing to HMRC or calling the Income Tax Helpline.	A company can change its name by passing a special resolution in a general meeting or by means provided in the company’s articles.  It is possible to register a change of name electronically at Companies House (although the special resolution or other authorised procedures must still be followed).  On receiving the resolution, the NM01 form and payment of the registration fee, and providing the name is acceptable, the registrar enters the new name on the register of companies in the place of the old name and issues a certificate of incorporation on change of name. The time period of a change of name done on paper is the same as that of an incorporation, currently 7-10 days The change of name takes effect on the date of the issue of the altered certificate.  The company retains the same company number even after the change of name.  Also be sure to change the details on the company’s websites, email addresses etc.
Required documentation	NO, just writing to HMRC to inform them of the change in name.	NO, just writing to HMRC to inform them of the name change.	NM01 Form
Post-change requirements?	Informing HMRC	Informing HMRC	Informing HMRC
Fees	No	No	A copy of the resolution must be sent to Companies House with form NM01 and the registration fee of £10 (£50 for same day service). Companies House also provides a same day change of name service, at the cost of £50, provided the name does not contain sensitive words.

Author: Eesha Singh -

Author: Eesha Singh -

In partnership with:

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by law students for the sole purpose of providing informative insight. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor should the information be used for the purpose of advising clients. You should seek independent legal advice before relying on any of the information provided in this article.

Sources

Steve Harvey: “Why do companies rename? The reasons for naming a business”  Last Accessed: 5th February 2023. URL: https://fabrikbrands.com/why-do-companies-rename-reasons-for-renaming-a-business/

Salvador Rodriguez: “Facebook changes company name to Meta” Published Thu, Oct 28 2021, Last Accessed: 5th February 2023  URL: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/28/facebook-changes-company-name-to-meta.html

Company Law Solutions Ltd: “Changing a company's name” Last Accessed 5th February 2023, URL: https://www.companylawclub.co.uk/changing-a-company-name

UK Government:“Set up as a sole trader” Last Accessed 5th February 2023 https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader

UK Government: “Choose a company name” Last Accessed: 5th February 2023 https://www.gov.uk/choose-company-name

“How to change a partnership name with HMRC” Last Accessed 6th February 2023  How to Change a Partnership Name with Hmrc | Mesomedic ®