How to Change Company Name in UK: 5 Steps, Costs and Timeline Explained?

UK companies change names through Companies House approval. Follow the five steps: special resolution, name availability check, approval submission, certificate issuance, and Gazette publication. Costs total £50–£100. Timeline spans 5–10 working days.

My Company Registration guides businesses through this process. Companies House mandates precise steps for compliance.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Changing a UK Company Name?

Companies qualify if they pass Companies House name checks, hold shareholder approval, and resolve no conflicts with trademarks or sensitive words. Private limited companies follow standard rules.

Eligibility starts with company type. Private limited by shares qualify easily. Public companies or LLPs face extra scrutiny.

Directors verify no outstanding issues. Check for penalties or strikes. Resolve debts first.

Shareholders vote via a special resolution. Require 75% approval. Document this formally.

Sensitive words trigger review. Terms like "royal" or "bank" need evidence. Submit justification letters.

Trademarks block similar names. Search the UKIPO database. Avoid infringement claims.

How Do You Check If Your Desired Company Name Is Available?

Search Companies House register and UKIPO trademarks online. Use exact and similar name checks. Confirm availability within 24 hours via free tools.

Access Companies House web checker. Enter proposed name. Review exact matches and similars.

UKIPO search prevents IP clashes. Filter by class and status. Note oppositions.

Domain availability supports branding. Check .co.uk via Nominet. Secure early.

Conduct web searches. Google proposed the name plus "UK company". Spot unregistered uses.

My Company Registration verifies names in the Change Company Name service.

What Is Step 1: Pass a Special Resolution to Approve the Name Change?

Shareholders pass a special resolution with 75% majority vote. Hold a meeting or use a written resolution. File form RES10 with Companies House within 15 days.

Convene a general meeting. Circulate notice 14 days ahead. State resolution clearly.

Written resolutions suit small firms. Send to all shareholders. Collect signatures.

Resolution states old and new names. Attach to board minutes.

File RES10 online. Pay a £13 fee for paper. Companies House stamps approval.

Keep records for 10 years. Auditors review during compliance checks.

What Is Step 2: Apply for Companies House Name Approval?

Submit form NM01 with a £8–£30 fee via web service. Include resolution copy. Approval arrives in 24 hours for standard names.

Log in to Companies House web filing. Select the name change application.

Enter the new name exactly. Upload a special resolution PDF.

Pay the fee online. Standard names cost £8. Same-day service costs £30.

Companies House reviews for objections. Rejects sensitive or identical names.

Receive approval notice. Download a digital certificate.

What Happens After Companies House Approves the Name Change?

Update all records post-approval. Publish the Gazette notice within 14 days. Notify HMRC, banks, and regulators. Amend articles if needed.

Gazette publication confirms change. Use The Gazette website. Costs £14.40 for the first company.

HMRC updates via CT41G form. File within 30 days. Avoid tax mismatches.

Notify banks and suppliers. Send the approval certificate. Update stationery.

Amend articles of association. Pass ordinary resolution. Refile if changes.

Register new trademarks promptly. Protect brand identity.

What Are the Total Costs Involved in Changing a UK Company Name?

Core fees total £50: £13 for RES10, £8 for NM01, £14.40 Gazette, £15 CT41G. Add £30–£100 for professional help. No VAT on filings.

Breakdown starts with resolutions. RES10 costs £13 paper or free online.

NM01 standard fee £8. Same-day £30.

Gazette notice £14.40 online.

HMRC CT41G £15–£20.

Professional services add value. My Company Registration handles fixed fees in 

Change Company Name UK Guide 2026: 7 Critical Facts Business Owners Must Know.

What Is the Timeline for a Complete UK Company Name Change?

The full process takes 5–10 working days. Day 1: resolution and application. Day 2–3: approval. Day 4–7: Gazette and notifications. Delays hit sensitive names.

Resolution passes instantly for written votes. Meetings add 14 days' notice.

Approval standard: 24 hours. Same-day immediate.

The Gazette publishes the next day.

Notifications concurrent. HMRC processes in 10 days.

Track via the Companies House dashboard. Monitor status updates.

68% of SMEs complete within a week, according to the 2025 filings data.

What Common Mistakes Derail UK Company Name Changes?

Top errors include skipping trademark checks, filing late, or using unavailable names. 22% of applications are rejected for similarity per Companies House stats.

Ignore trademarks at peril. Face legal challenges post-change.

Miss 15-day RES10 filing. Triggers a £150 late fee.

Propose identical names. Auto-reject.

Forget the Gazette notice. Invalidates change.

Overlook PSC notifications. File confirmation statements.

Professionals avoid pitfalls. See our experts in 

Change Company Name Service UK: Get Started Today With My Company Registration Experts

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How Do You Update Records After the Name Change?

Notify banks, HMRC, pensions, and suppliers with a certificate. Update website, stationery, and domain. File the next confirmation statement with the new name.

Send certificate copies. Banks reissue cheques.

HMRC CT41G mandatory. Update VAT and PAYE.

Pensions and insurers require notice. Avoid coverage gaps.

Website DNS updates propagate in 48 hours.

Stationery reprints essential. Comply with the Business Names Act.

Companies House auto-updates the register. Verify public record.

Why Do UK Businesses Change Company Names?

Businesses rebrand for growth, mergers, or relevance. 45% cite market shifts per the FSB 2025 survey. Names evolve with strategy.

Growth demands modern appeal. Tech firms drop outdated terms.

Mergers combine identities. Create unified brands.

Regulatory shifts force changes. Avoid restricted words.

What Support Does My Company Registration Provide?

My Company Registration manages the full process: checks, filings, and notifications. Fixed fees ensure compliance. Contact for Change Company Name.

Handle eligibility checks. Submit all forms.

Monitor approvals. Publish Gazette.

Update authorities. Deliver the certificate.

Businesses save 20 hours per change.

My Company Registration processes 500+ annually.

UK companies change names via a structured Companies House process. Follow the five steps precisely for approval. Costs stay low at £50–£100. Timelines hit 5–10 days. My Company Registration delivers compliant changes efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to change a company name in UK?

Changing a company name in UK typically takes 5–10 working days via Companies House. Submit the special resolution and NM01 form for approval in 24 hours, followed by Gazette publication. My Company Registration streamlines the process for faster compliance.

How much does it cost to change company name UK?

Core costs total £50–£100, including £8–£30 for NM01, £13 for RES10, and £14.40 Gazette fee. Additional HMRC updates add £15. My Company Registration handles filings to minimize expenses and errors.

Can I change my limited company name myself?

Yes, limited companies change names via Companies House web filing with shareholder resolution. Check availability, submit NM01, and publish Gazette notice. Use professional services like My Company Registration for complex cases.

What documents are needed to change the company name UK?

Prepare special resolution (75% approval), NM01 form, and proof of name availability. Include resolution copy with application. My Company Registration verifies and submits all required Companies House documents.

Do I need to notify HMRC after company name change?

Yes, notify HMRC within 30 days using CT41G form to update tax records. Send Companies House approval certificate. My Company Registration coordinates HMRC notifications with name change service.