Change Company Name UK (2026): Costs, Steps & Legal Requirements
Last updated: 15 October 2026 | Reading time: approximately 11 minutes
Change company name in the UK by obtaining the necessary company approval and registering the new name with Companies House. For most limited companies, this involves passing a special resolution and submitting the change online or using form NM01. In 2026, the official filing fee is £20 online, £30 by post or £85 for same-day processing. You don't need to establish a new company, and your existing company registration number stays the same.
However, changing your company's registered name is only part of the process. Before investing in a new website, branding or marketing materials, you should establish whether your proposed name could conflict with an existing trademark or another business's rights.
This guide explains how to change a limited company name, what it costs, what happens afterwards and how to reduce the risk of expensive rebranding mistakes.
Can You Change the Name of an Existing Limited Company?
Yes. A UK limited company can change its registered name without closing the business or incorporating a new company.
Under the Companies Act 2006, a company can generally change its name through a special resolution or by another method permitted by its articles of association.
The important point is that the company itself remains the same legal entity.
For example, imagine that Oakfield Digital Ltd decides to rebrand as Oakfield Creative Ltd. Once Companies House registers the change, the business continues under its new name.
The company generally retains:
Its existing company registration number (CRN).
Its assets, liabilities and contractual obligations.
Its trading history and incorporation date.
Its existing legal rights and responsibilities.
Its existing Corporation Tax identity and other tax registrations, subject to updating the relevant records.
Section 81 of the Companies Act 2006 confirms that a name change does not affect the company's rights or obligations.
This means you normally won't need to transfer every contract or asset to a new legal entity simply because you have changed the company's name.
However, you should review existing contracts for notification requirements and ensure that customers, suppliers, financial institutions and relevant authorities receive the updated company details.
How Much Does It Cost to Change a Company Name in 2026?
The Companies House change of name fee depends on how you submit the application.
Filing methodOfficial Companies House feeOnline company name change£20Postal application£30Same-day online application£85
Source: Companies House official fee schedule, checked October 2026.
The online route is generally the cheapest and most convenient option for straightforward applications.
If your proposed name requires additional permission or your company's approval arrangements are unusual, the process may involve further documentation or professional assistance.
Can you change a company name for free?
There is no standard free Companies House filing route for changing a registered limited company name.
However, you can complete the application yourself, without paying an accountant, solicitor or formation agent.
Third-party providers may charge additional administration fees for preparing resolutions, checking documents and submitting applications.
These charges are separate from the official Companies House fee.
If you're rebranding, remember that the filing fee may be the smallest part of the overall expense. Updating your website, business stationery, signage, packaging and customer communications can cost considerably more.
That is why checking your proposed name before filing is so important.
How to Change Your Limited Company Name: Step by Step
For most business owners, changing a company name through Companies House is manageable. The process becomes easier when you complete the necessary checks in the correct order.
Step 1: Check whether your new company name is available
Before filing an application, search the Companies House register to see whether another registered company already uses the proposed name.
You can use the Companies House company search service.
A proposed name must comply with the statutory company naming requirements.
For example:
It must not be the same as an existing registered company name unless a permitted exception applies.
It must not contain prohibited or inappropriate expressions.
Certain sensitive words require permission or supporting evidence.
Private limited company names generally end in Limited or Ltd, subject to applicable exceptions.
A name must not falsely suggest a connection with the government or a public authority.
Companies House also considers certain differences in punctuation, characters and commonly used expressions when determining whether names are effectively the same.
Important: Passing the Companies House availability check does not establish that the name is safe to use as a commercial brand. Trademark searches are a separate consideration, explained below.
Step 2: Obtain approval to change the company name
The usual method is to pass a special resolution.
For a company limited by shares, a special resolution generally requires at least 75% of the relevant votes cast in favour, subject to the applicable voting rules.
If you are the sole shareholder, the process is usually simpler because you can approve the resolution yourself, provided the correct procedure is followed.
Where a company has several shareholders, approval may be obtained at a general meeting or through an appropriate written resolution.
The resolution should clearly identify the existing company and the proposed new name.
Some companies have articles of association that allow a different name-change procedure. Always check the company's articles before deciding which route to use.
Step 3: Submit the name change to Companies House
After obtaining the necessary approval, the next step is registering the change.
Option A: Change your company name online
Visit the official Companies House filing service.
You will generally need access to the company's filing account and the necessary authorisation details.
Follow the online instructions, provide the proposed new name, complete the required declarations and pay the applicable filing fee.
The ordinary online filing fee is £20.
Option B: Submit form NM01 by post
If using the standard unconditional special-resolution route by post, complete form NM01 and attach the required resolution.
Send the documents and the £30 fee as instructed on the form.
You can obtain NM01 from the official GOV.UK form page.
Option C: Change the name under the articles of association
Where the company's articles permit another method, form NM04 may be relevant.
Do not assume NM01 and NM04 are interchangeable. They reflect different legal routes, and the correct procedure depends on the company's constitution and the basis of approval.
For conditional resolutions or other unusual circumstances, additional forms or advice may be necessary.
Step 4: Wait for Companies House confirmation
Your company name does not officially change merely because shareholders have approved it or you have submitted the application.
Under the Companies Act 2006, the change becomes effective when the new certificate of incorporation on change of name is issued.
Companies House will update its register and issue the relevant certificate once the application is accepted.
Keep a copy of this document in your permanent company records. Banks, suppliers and other organisations may request evidence of the change.
Only treat the new registered name as legally effective from the appropriate registration date.
How Long Does It Take to Change a Company Name?
Processing time depends on the filing method, Companies House workloads and whether the application needs further examination.
Online applications are generally more convenient than postal submissions, but standard processing times are not guaranteed.
Companies House also offers an eligible same-day change of name service, currently costing £85. The application must meet the service's requirements and submission deadlines.
If you have a fixed rebranding launch date, avoid scheduling every announcement around an assumed approval time.
Allow for possible corrections, sensitive-word approvals or filing delays.
You can prepare your website, customer emails and marketing materials in advance, but coordinate the formal announcement with confirmation that the legal name change has taken effect.
Companies House Name Approval Is Not Trademark Protection
This is one of the most important issues to understand before changing a business name.
Registering a company name and registering a trademark are two different legal processes.
Companies House deals with the registration of company names and corporate information.
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) administers the UK's registered trademark system.
Companies House accepting a proposed name does not automatically establish that it can be used without infringing somebody else's trademark rights.
Consider a hypothetical example.
A business wants to change its company name to MeadowSpark Digital Ltd.
A Companies House search indicates that the exact proposed registered name is available.
The directors proceed with a new domain, website, signage and advertising.
Unfortunately, an existing business may own an earlier trademark for MEADOW SPARK covering relevant services.
The absence of an identical company name would not, by itself, resolve the trademark issue.
Depending on the earlier rights, similarity of the signs, relevant goods or services and other legal factors, the new branding could create infringement concerns.
The company might then face demands to stop using the name or enter into a dispute.
This hypothetical example illustrates why company name availability should not be confused with trademark clearance.
How to check whether a business name is trademarked
Start with the UK IPO trademark search service.
Look beyond exact matches.
A meaningful preliminary search should consider:
Identical names.
Similar spellings and word combinations.
Phonetically similar names.
Similar meanings or overall impressions where relevant.
Earlier trademarks covering related goods or services.
Pending trademark applications as well as registered marks.
Trademark protection is organised using the Nice Classification, which divides goods and services into different classes.
However, class numbers alone do not determine whether two businesses are in conflict. The actual goods and services, similarity of the marks and relevant legal tests matter.
A professional trademark clearance search can help identify potential issues and assess their significance before you commit to a new identity.
No search eliminates every possible risk, particularly because unregistered rights may also exist.
What about unregistered business names?
A business may have relevant rights even without a registered trademark.
In certain circumstances, passing off may protect established goodwill against misleading commercial activity.
That means checking the UK IPO register is important, but it should not be the only investigation.
Depending on the proposed brand, you may also need to review competitors, trading names, online marketplaces and other evidence of commercial use.
Should You Change Your Company Name or Use a Trading Name?
Not every rebrand requires a Companies House name change.
A registered company name identifies the legal entity. A trading name is a name used commercially by that business.
For example, Willowfield Holdings Ltd might operate a consumer-facing business under the name Willowfield Studio.
The registered company could remain Willowfield Holdings Ltd while the business markets its services under Willowfield Studio.
ConsiderationChange registered company nameUse a trading nameCompanies House name-change filingRequiredGenerally not requiredLegal entityRemains the sameRemains the sameCompany registration numberUnchangedUnchangedCustomer-facing brandCan changeCan changeTrademark checksRecommendedRecommendedLegal disclosure requirementsApplyStill apply
A trading name must also comply with applicable business-name rules and must not infringe earlier rights.
The registered company details must still be disclosed where the law requires them, including on relevant business documents and websites.
When is changing the legal company name worthwhile?
It may make sense when the existing name no longer reflects the business, a major restructuring is taking place or the directors want the corporate identity and trading brand to align.
If you're only launching a new product or service, using a separate trading name might be more practical.
The right decision depends on your business structure, branding objectives and potential legal risks.
What Happens After You Change Your Company Name?
Once the new certificate has been issued, the administrative work is not necessarily finished.
A company-name change affects how your organisation is identified across several business systems.
Update HMRC and tax-related records
Review the company's information held by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Check relevant Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE records and confirm whether any further notification or update is required.
A name change alone does not normally create a new legal entity or automatically require new tax registration numbers.
However, business owners should check that their tax records accurately reflect the new company name.
Notify your business bank and financial providers
Contact your bank, payment processor, business lenders and other financial service providers.
They may ask for the new certificate of incorporation before updating their records.
Review direct debits, payment instructions, merchant accounts and customer billing details to avoid confusion.
Review contracts, invoices and company documents
Existing contracts generally continue because the legal company has not changed.
Nevertheless, contracts may contain notification obligations or other provisions requiring attention.
Update relevant invoices, purchase orders, commercial agreements, stationery and company disclosures.
Where appropriate, notify customers that the company has changed its registered name but remains the same legal entity.
Update your website and digital branding
If the name change forms part of a wider rebrand, consider your digital assets carefully.
Update website content, contact details, social media accounts, business listings and email signatures.
If you are moving to a new domain, plan redirects from important existing URLs and preserve access to established email addresses.
A poorly managed website migration can disrupt customer communication and organic search visibility.
Consider preparing a short announcement explaining the change so existing customers understand that the business has not disappeared.
Does Changing a Company Name Affect an Existing Trademark?
A registered trademark and a limited company registration are separate assets and records.
If the same legal company remains the owner of an existing trademark, changing its registered company name does not automatically transfer ownership to another entity.
However, the proprietor's recorded name may need updating on the relevant trademark register.
If the business intends to use a completely different brand, an existing trademark registration for the old brand does not automatically protect the new one.
A new trademark application may be appropriate, depending on the proposed sign, intended goods and services, earlier rights and commercial plans.
This is particularly important where an established company is entering new markets or expanding into additional product categories.
Before filing, identify the brand you actually intend to protect and the goods or services for which protection is needed.
Common Mistakes When Changing a Company Name
Most avoidable problems arise before filing or during the transition to the new identity.
Choosing a name without adequate clearance
A name can appear available at Companies House yet present intellectual property risks.
Investigate relevant earlier rights before purchasing significant branding materials or launching a major advertising campaign.
Filing the wrong form
NM01 is used for an unconditional name change by resolution. NM04 relates to changing a company name through a method provided for in the articles.
Using an inappropriate form or failing to follow the correct approval procedure can delay registration.
Assuming directors can always approve the change
Directors do not automatically have unrestricted authority to change the company's name.
The applicable statutory procedure and the company's articles must be considered.
Forgetting the wider business transition
A new certificate does not automatically update every bank, supplier, website or third-party system.
Prepare a practical checklist before the new name becomes effective.
Mistaking domain ownership for legal rights
Buying a domain name does not automatically give you trademark rights or guarantee that the corresponding brand is available.
Similarly, holding a Companies House registration does not prevent every other business from using a similar commercial sign.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Company Name
Can I change my company name online?
Yes. For an eligible company using the standard special-resolution route, Companies House provides an online filing service. The ordinary filing fee is £20.
Does my company registration number change?
No. A registered company name change does not create a new company. The existing company registration number remains unchanged.
Do I need shareholder approval?
The standard route requires a special resolution. A different procedure may be available where the company's articles lawfully permit it. Check the company's specific governance arrangements.
Can I change my limited company name more than once?
Generally, yes. There is no universal one-time limit, but each name change must meet the relevant legal requirements and filing procedures.
Do I need a new company bank account?
Not normally solely because of the name change. However, your bank will need to update its records and may require supporting documentation.
Does a company name change affect existing contracts?
Under section 81 of the Companies Act 2006, the change does not affect the company's existing rights or obligations. Nevertheless, contractual notification requirements should be reviewed.
Can I change my company name if another business has a similar trademark?
It depends on the circumstances. Companies House approval does not remove trademark infringement or passing-off risks. Obtain an appropriate assessment before adopting a potentially conflicting brand.
Do I need to register a trademark when changing my company name?
Trademark registration is not automatically required simply because you change your company name. However, searching earlier rights and considering registration can be important where the name will be used commercially as a brand.
Final Checklist: Before and After Changing Your Company Name
Before submitting the application:
Check the proposed name against Companies House naming rules.
Search for relevant registered and pending trademarks.
Consider similar trading names and unregistered rights.
Check relevant domain and social media availability.
Review the articles of association and obtain proper approval.
Select the appropriate Companies House filing route.
After the name change:
Obtain and securely retain the updated certificate of incorporation.
Confirm applicable HMRC and tax record updates.
Notify your bank, suppliers and important business contacts.
Review contracts, invoices and statutory company disclosures.
Update relevant branding, websites and digital profiles.
Review whether existing trademark records need updating or new trademark protection is appropriate.
Protect Your New Business Name Before You Rebrand
Changing a company name at Companies House is often relatively straightforward. Choosing a name that your business can confidently build upon deserves more consideration.
A new name may represent a fresh direction, a stronger identity or a significant commercial investment. Before making that investment, it is sensible to understand the potential trademark risks.
At Sort My Mark, we help UK businesses with trademark searches, registration and brand protection.
Whether you're renaming an established limited company, introducing a new trading name or preparing a wider rebrand, professional clearance can help you make a more informed decision.
Planning to change your company name? Explore Sort My Mark's trademark search and registration services before committing to your new brand.
Official References
This article provides general information about UK company name changes and trademark considerations. It is not a substitute for advice on specific legal, tax or company governance circumstances.