How to Change a UK Company Name: NM01, NM04 and the Rules (2026)

At a glance

• Standard route: pass a special resolution (75% majority) and file form NM01 with Companies House.
• Alternative route: if your articles of association allow another method, use form NM04 — no special resolution needed.
• Filing fees (current as at June 2026): online £20; same-day online service £85; paper (NM01 or NM04) £30. Always verify the current fee on GOV.UK before paying.
• Legal effect: the new name takes effect only when Companies House issues the certificate of incorporation on change of name — not when you pass the resolution and not when you post the form.
• Company number unchanged: the company's legal identity, contracts, debts, and employees are all unaffected by a name change (Companies Act 2006, s.81).
• Name rules apply on change: the same availability, 'same as', sensitive-word, and ECCTA 2023 restrictions that apply at incorporation apply equally to a name change.

This guide covers England and Wales. Some procedural details differ for companies incorporated in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The legal framework: Companies Act 2006, sections 77 to 81

A private limited company's ability to change its name sits in Part 5 of the Companies Act 2006:

• Section 77 establishes the two routes: change by special resolution, or by a method provided for in the articles.
• Section 78 governs change by special resolution. The company must give notice to the registrar (in addition to forwarding a copy of the resolution). If the change is conditional on an event, the notice must say so; a further notice confirming the event has occurred is required before the registrar acts.
• Section 79 governs change by the method in the articles. The company gives notice to the registrar that the name has been changed; no resolution is required.
• Section 80 deals with registration and issue of the new certificate of incorporation. Companies House registers the new name and issues the certificate.
• Section 81 sets out the effect: the change takes effect on the date shown on the new certificate of incorporation. The company's legal identity — its number, existing contracts, liabilities, and rights — is entirely unaffected.

The two routes lead to two different forms. NM01 is filed when the change is made by special resolution. NM04 is filed when the change is made by a method set out in the articles.

Which route applies to your company?

Before you do anything else, check your articles of association.

Most companies — especially those using the model articles for private companies limited by shares — do not include any alternative procedure for changing the name. For those companies, the special resolution route is the only option, and NM01 is the correct form.

Some companies have articles that allow the name to be changed by other means, such as a written resolution of the directors or a decision by a specific majority of members falling short of 75%. If your articles contain such a provision, you can use that route and file NM04. This is often simpler because it avoids the formality of a members' resolution.

If you are unsure what your articles say, check the version filed at Companies House. The current articles are visible on the Companies House register free of charge.

Step 1: Check whether the new name is available and lawful

This step should come before you pass any resolution. There is no point running a formal members' meeting to approve a name that Companies House will reject.

Check the Companies House register

Search the company name availability checker to confirm no existing company is using the name you want.

Understand the 'same as' rules

Companies House applies 'same as' rules that treat certain names as identical to existing ones. Two names are the 'same' where the only difference is:

• certain punctuation or special characters (for example, the 'plus' sign);
• a word or character similar in appearance or meaning to one in the existing name; or
• a word or character that is commonly used in UK company names.

So 'Hands UK Ltd' and 'Hand's Ltd' are treated as the same as 'Hands Ltd'. You can only register a 'same as' name if your company is part of the same group as the existing company or LLP, or if you have written confirmation from that company or LLP that it has no objection to your use of the name.

Check for sensitive words

Certain words and expressions in company names are controlled and require prior approval from the Secretary of State or a specified body. These include words suggesting a connection with government, royalty, or regulated professions — for example, 'Accredited' (which requires permission from the Department for Business and Trade). The full list of controlled words and the body to approach for each is published in the incorporation and names guidance on GOV.UK.

Be aware of the ECCTA 2023 name controls

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 strengthened the registrar's powers over company names, with new provisions coming into force in spring 2024. Companies House can now reject a name — or direct an existing company to change its name — where, in the Secretary of State's view, the name:

• could be used to facilitate crime;
• suggests a non-existent connection with a foreign government or an international institution; or
• comprises or contains a computer code.

A company directed to change its name under these provisions has a default period of 28 days to comply. Failure to comply is a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to £1,000. Trading under a name that the registrar has directed be changed is also an offence after the compliance period expires.

Check the UK trademark register

A name may be free at Companies House but still infringe a registered trademark. If someone holds a trademark for a similar name in the same class of goods or services, they can challenge your use of it even after Companies House registers the change. Check the UK trademark register before committing to a name.

Step 2: Pass the required resolution (NM01 route)

If you are using the special resolution route, the members must approve the change by special resolution — meaning at least 75% of the votes cast by members entitled to vote must be in favour.

For private companies, a special resolution can be passed either:

• at a general meeting of members, on proper notice; or
• as a written resolution circulated to all eligible members (available to private companies under the Companies Act 2006, s.288).

The written resolution route is often more practical for small companies where all members are accessible. A written resolution requires the agreement of members holding at least 75% of the total voting rights of eligible members — note this is 75% of all eligible members, not just those who respond, which is slightly different from the voting threshold at a meeting.

The resolution wording must be clean and unambiguous. State the company's current registered name and the proposed new name precisely as it should appear on the register, including any suffix such as 'Limited' or 'Ltd'. Errors in the resolution wording carry through to the register.

A copy of the special resolution must accompany the NM01 form when you file. Companies House requires this as evidence that the procedural requirement in section 78 has been met.

Step 3: Complete the correct form

Form NM01 (special resolution route)

Form NM01 asks for:

• the company number;
• the existing company name in full; and
• the proposed new name exactly as it should appear on the register.

The form must be signed by a director, secretary, or other person authorised to act on the company's behalf. Double-check spelling, spacing, and punctuation: Companies House registers the name precisely as written on the form. Attach a certified copy of the special resolution.

Form NM04 (articles route)

Form NM04 follows a similar structure but is used where the change has been made under a procedure in the articles rather than by special resolution. No resolution needs to accompany this form, though you may wish to retain internal evidence of the relevant decision.

Step 4: File with Companies House and pay the fee

Online filing

Online filing is faster and cheaper. You can file a name change by special resolution (NM01) through the Companies House online service. Online filing is not currently available for NM04 changes; those must be filed by post.

• Standard online fee: £20
• Same-day online service: £85 (submit before the cut-off time for same-day processing)

Always verify the current fee on GOV.UK before paying — fees changed in February 2026 and may change again.

Paper filing

Download the relevant form, complete it, and send it with a cheque to the address printed on the form.

• Paper fee (NM01 or NM04): £30

Paper processing takes longer than online filing. Do not assume the change has taken effect until you receive the new certificate.

Step 5: Receive the certificate of incorporation on change of name

When Companies House accepts the filing, it issues a certificate of incorporation on change of name. This certificate:

• states the company's number (unchanged);
• shows the new registered name; and
• gives the date on which the change takes effect.

The new name has no legal effect until this certificate is issued (Companies Act 2006, s.81). Until you hold the dated certificate, your company's legal name for contracts, invoicing, court proceedings, and every other formal purpose remains the old name.

Keep the certificate in your company records — you will need it when notifying banks, HMRC, and other parties.

Step 6: Update everything after the certificate arrives

Once the certificate is in your hands, work through the following:

Company records and statutory registers. Update the register of members, any share certificates, and the company's statutory books to reflect the new name.

Bank and financial accounts. Most banks require a copy of the new certificate before they will update the account name. Some require fresh mandates from the directors.

HMRC. Notify HMRC of the new name so your Corporation Tax, PAYE, and VAT records are updated. Companies House does not notify HMRC automatically — this is your responsibility.

Business stationery, website, and digital presence. Update letterheads, email footers, website headers, social media profiles, and email addresses. There are legal rules on displaying your company name — your registered name must appear on business letters, order forms, and your website.

Contracts and counterparties. Existing contracts signed under the old name remain valid (s.81). Even so, notify key suppliers, customers, landlords, and lenders so future correspondence and payments reach you correctly under the new name.

Domain names and trademarks. If you are not already using a domain that matches the new name, register it promptly. If you intend to protect the new name as a trademark, speak to a trade marks attorney.

Insurers and regulated bodies. Any insurer, pension provider, or regulator you are registered with should be told about the change. Some regulated firms must notify their regulator within a specified period.

Registered office signage. Physical signage at your registered office and any place of business must be updated to the new name.

Practical traps to avoid

Do not start using the new name before the certificate arrives. Using a name that is not yet your registered name on contracts or invoices causes confusion and can create disputes about which entity is the contracting party.

Do not file a resolution with errors in the proposed name. Companies House registers what the form says. A misspelling in the resolution or on the NM01 becomes the legal registered name until corrected by a further filing.

Do not assume a name is clear at Companies House just because you searched last month. The register is updated constantly. Run a fresh availability search immediately before filing.

Do not overlook the 'same as' rules. A name that looks different to you may be treated as identical to an existing name under Companies House's 'same as' rules. The availability checker will flag this, but it is worth understanding the rules rather than relying solely on the checker.

Do not ignore the trademark register. Companies House registration does not protect you from trademark infringement claims. A name can be registered at Companies House and still be the subject of a successful trademark challenge.

This guide provides general information about how UK company name changes work in England and Wales. It is not a substitute for legal advice tailored to your company's specific circumstances. The law and fee amounts described were verified as at June 2026 and are subject to change — always check GOV.UK for current fees and any legislative updates.

Last reviewed: June 2026 · Next review due: June 2027 or on legislative change.