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NM04 Form UK: Change Company Name via Articles

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Part ofCompanies House Forms UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If your company's articles of association set out a specific method for changing the company name, Form NM04 is how you notify Companies House that the change has taken place. This route sits outside the more familiar special resolution process. Instead, the name change happens because the articles themselves permit it, for example where a majority of directors agree, or a named person has the right to nominate a new name. Once the change has been made in line with the articles, NM04 is the filing that records it on the public register. This page walks through what NM04 is for, who tends to use it, what Companies House expects to see, and the kinds of questions that are worth thinking through before you submit. If you want to talk any of it over, a telephone call with an experienced legal adviser is available at the end.

What this document is

NM04 is the Companies House form used to notify a change of company name where that change has been made by means provided for in the company's articles of association. It is one of several routes to changing a name under the Companies Act 2006.

The more common route is by special resolution of the members (filed using NM01), but where the articles themselves set out a bespoke mechanism for changing the name, NM04 is the right form. In practice, this route is used by a minority of companies.

It tends to appear in groups where the parent wants flexibility to rename subsidiaries, in joint venture vehicles, or in companies where a specific person or body has been given naming rights in the constitution. The form records the new name, confirms that the procedure in the articles has been followed, and must be accompanied by a statement of compliance.

Once Companies House accepts the filing, it issues a certificate of incorporation on change of name, and the new name takes effect from the date shown on that certificate.

How to use this document

  1. Check the articles actually provide a name-change mechanism. Before anything else, read the articles carefully. Not every set of articles contains a bespoke mechanism for changing the name. If the articles are silent, or only refer to the statutory special resolution route, NM04 is not the correct form and you should be looking at NM01 instead. The mechanism in the articles must be clear and capable of being followed.
  2. Follow the procedure in the articles to the letter. Whatever the articles require, whether that is a board resolution, written consent from a named shareholder, or some other trigger, carry it out properly and document it. Keep copies of any resolutions, consents, or notices. If the procedure is not followed correctly, the change of name is open to challenge and the filing itself may be rejected or later questioned.
  3. Prepare and complete Form NM04. Download the current version of NM04 from the Companies House area of gov.uk. Enter the company number, existing name, and the new name exactly as it will appear on the register. Check the new name against the Companies House index to make sure it is not the same as, or too similar to, an existing registered name, and that it does not include sensitive or restricted words without the necessary approvals.
  4. Sign the statement of compliance. NM04 includes a statement confirming that the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the articles have been complied with in relation to the change of name. A director, secretary, or other authorised person signs this. Take it seriously: knowingly or recklessly making a false statement is a criminal offence, so make sure you are genuinely satisfied the procedure has been followed.
  5. Submit the form and pay the fee. File NM04 with Companies House, either on paper or, where available, electronically. A filing fee applies and there is usually a same-day option at a higher rate if you need the change processed quickly. Check gov.uk for current amounts. Once accepted, Companies House issues the certificate of incorporation on change of name, and the new name becomes effective from that date.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £149.

Common questions

Q When should I use NM04 rather than NM01?
NM01 is used when the members change the name by special resolution, which is the most common route. NM04 is used only where the articles of association themselves provide a specific mechanism for changing the name, and that mechanism has been followed. If your articles do not contain such a mechanism, NM04 is not appropriate. Reading the articles carefully is the first step, and if you are unsure, it is worth talking it through.
Q When does the new name actually take effect?
The change of name is not effective simply because the internal procedure has been completed or the form has been submitted. It takes effect from the date shown on the certificate of incorporation on change of name, which Companies House issues once it has accepted and processed NM04. Until that certificate is issued, the company must continue to use its existing registered name on contracts, invoices, and other business documents.
Q Is there a fee for filing NM04?
Yes, Companies House charges a filing fee for a change of name, and a higher fee applies if you use the same-day service where available. The exact amount can change, so check gov.uk for the current figure before you file. Paying the correct fee at the time of submission helps avoid delays. If the fee is not paid or the form is incomplete, Companies House will usually reject the filing.
Q What happens if the name I want is already taken or too similar?
Companies House will reject a name that is the same as an existing registered name, and it can direct a company to change a name that is too similar to another. Some words and expressions are also restricted or sensitive and need prior approval. Before filing NM04, search the Companies House register and check the rules on sensitive words on gov.uk to reduce the risk of your chosen name being refused.
Q Do I need to update anything else after the name change?
Yes. After the certificate is issued, the new name should be used on the company's website, stationery, contracts, bank accounts, invoices, and signage at business premises. You may also need to notify HMRC, your bank, insurers, regulators, and anyone who has a contract with the company. Existing contracts generally continue in the new name, but informing counterparties in writing is sensible practice.
Q Can I reverse a change of name if something goes wrong?
There is no simple 'undo' button. If you want to revert to the previous name, or move to a different name, you generally need to go through the change-of-name process again, either via the articles mechanism using another NM04 or via a special resolution using NM01. This means time, paperwork, and another fee, so it is worth getting the first filing right and checking availability before you submit.
Q Who signs the statement of compliance on NM04?
The statement of compliance is normally signed by a director or the company secretary, confirming that the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the company's articles have been met in relation to the change of name. Whoever signs it needs to be genuinely satisfied that the internal procedure was followed correctly. Making a false statement, knowingly or recklessly, can be a criminal offence, so it is not a box-ticking exercise.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £149.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.