NM04 Notice of Change of Name by Means Provided for in the Articles

Any company can change its registered name by passing a special resolution which adopts the new name, with the agreement of at least 75% of shareholders.  However, a company can also provide with other methods and procedures for approving a change of name in its Articles of Association.

For example, a company’s articles of association may specify that the company can change its name by ordinary resolution as opposed to special resolution (this only requires a simple majority of more than 50% of shareholders to pass) or by the agreement of a committee of the board.

Where a company changes its name by some procedure other than by passing a special resolution it must notify Companies House by completing this form and sending it together with the relevant filing fee (£10 at the time of writing). Once it receives the notification, Companies House will update the company’s record on the official register to reflect the new name.