Company Name Change Notice (UK)
[New Company Name]
(formerly [Old Company Name])
Company Number: [Company Number]
Registered Office: [Registered Office Address]
[Notice Date]
NOTICE OF COMPANY NAME CHANGE
We are writing to inform you that, with effect from [Effective Date], the above company has changed its registered name from [Old Company Name] to [New Company Name].
The name change has been approved by the shareholders of the company by special resolution in accordance with section 78 of the Companies Act 2006, and has been confirmed by the Registrar of Companies. A new Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name has been issued by Companies House.
KEY DETAILS
- Former name: [Old Company Name]
- New name: [New Company Name]
- Companies House registration number: [Company Number] (unchanged)
- Registered office: [Registered Office Address] (unchanged)
- Effective date of change: [Effective Date]
Please note that the company continues to be the same legal entity as before. All existing contracts, obligations, and business relationships remain in full force and effect under the company's new name. No novation or re-execution of existing agreements is required.
BANK AND FINANCIAL DETAILS
[Bank Details Confirmation]
[VAT Confirmation]
UPDATED CONTACT DETAILS
[Contact Details]
Please update your records to reflect this change. Any future correspondence, invoices, purchase orders, or payments should reference the company's new name: [New Company Name] (Company Number: [Company Number]).
If you have any questions about this change, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
[Signatory Name]
[Signatory Title]
For and on behalf of [New Company Name]
(formerly [Old Company Name])
Authorised Signatory
________________
Signature
What Is a Company Name Change Notice (UK)?
A Company Name Change Notice in the United Kingdom makes a statutory filing or company-administration record and sets out the particulars the registrar or revenue authority requires, under the framework of the Companies Act 2006.
While existing contracts remain valid when a company changes its name (because the company continues as the same legal entity under a different name), it is essential to notify all parties of the change promptly to avoid confusion, administrative errors, and potential legal or regulatory difficulties. Banks must update their records; HMRC must be notified; regulatory registrations may need to be updated; and business stationery, websites, and marketing materials must all reflect the new name.
A well-drafted Company Name Change Notice provides the recipient with the company's former name, its new name, the effective date of the change, the company's registration number (which does not change), and any relevant instructions for updating records or correspondence. The notice may also confirm that the company's bank account details, VAT registration, and other identifiers remain unchanged.
Our UK Company Name Change Notice template provides a clear, professional format for notifying parties of a company name change, confirming that all relevant information is communicated accurately and efficiently.
The legal framework governing the Company Name Change Notice (UK) in United Kingdom draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Parties executing a Company Name Change Notice (UK) in United Kingdom should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2006 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Company Name Change Notice (UK)?
A Company Name Change Notice is needed immediately after a company's new Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name has been received from Companies House, confirming that the new name has been registered and is effective.
The notice should be sent as soon as possible after the effective date to all parties who deal with the company — clients, suppliers, banks, creditors, employees, landlords, insurers, regulatory bodies, and professional advisers. Prompt notification reduces the risk of payments being made or invoices raised using the old name, prevents confusion about the company's identity, and confirms compliance with any notification obligations in existing contracts or regulatory registrations.
A Company Name Change Notice is particularly important in the following circumstances: when the company has high-profile or long-standing relationships with clients or suppliers whose records need to be updated; when the company has regulatory registrations (such as FCA authorisation, CQC registration, or sector-specific licences) that require the regulator to be notified of name changes; when the company has outstanding loan facilities, credit agreements, or guarantees under its former name that must be updated with the relevant financial institutions; and when the company owns registered intellectual property (trade marks, patents, or registered designs) that should be updated to reflect the new name at the relevant intellectual property offices (including the UK Intellectual Property Office and, for international protections, EUIPO, WIPO, and others).
The notice should also be accompanied or followed by an update to the company's business stationery, email signatures, website, and any other materials that display the company's name.
Parties in United Kingdom should prepare a Company Name Change Notice (UK) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Company Name Change Notice (UK)
A well-drafted UK Company Name Change Notice should include the following key elements.
Former name and new name: Both the company's former registered name and its new registered name should be stated clearly and prominently at the outset of the notice, so that the recipient can immediately identify the company they are dealing with.
Company registration number: The company's Companies House registration number should be included, as this does not change when the company's name changes. This is the most reliable identifier of the company's legal identity and helps recipients update their records accurately.
Effective date: The date on which the name change took effect — that is, the date stated on the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name issued by Companies House — should be clearly stated.
Confirmation of continuity: A statement confirming that the company continues to be the same legal entity as before the name change, and that all existing contracts, obligations, and relationships remain in full force under the new name.
Updated contact details: Any updated contact details (new website, email addresses, or business address) that accompany the name change should be provided.
Bank account and financial details: If the company's bank account details, sort code, or VAT number remain unchanged, this should be confirmed to assist with payments and financial administration.
Action required: Any specific action required from the recipient — such as updating their records, reissuing purchase orders, or updating contract schedules — should be clearly stated.
Signature: The letter should be signed by a director or authorised officer of the company.
Additional compliance elements for a Company Name Change Notice (UK) used in United Kingdom include: Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for United Kingdom-compliant documentation.
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Company Name Change Notice (UK) (United Kingdom) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/corporate/company-name-change-notice-uk
"Company Name Change Notice (UK) (United Kingdom)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/corporate/company-name-change-notice-uk.
@misc{formslegal-company-name-change-notice-uk,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Company Name Change Notice (UK) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/corporate/company-name-change-notice-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2006}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
A UK company can change its registered name in two ways. The most common method is by passing a special resolution of the shareholders (under section 78 of the Companies Act 2006), which requires at least 75% of the voting shares to be voted in favour. The special resolution must be filed with Companies House (Form NM01) within 15 days of being passed, accompanied by the applicable fee. Some companies' articles of association also permit the directors to change the company's name by board resolution, without a shareholder vote, in which case Form NM04 is used. Companies House will check the proposed new name against the register to confirm it is not the same as or too similar to an existing registered name, does not contain sensitive or restricted words, and does not infringe existing trade marks. If approved, Companies House will issue a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name, which serves as official confirmation of the new name. The change takes effect from the date on the certificate, not the date the resolution was passed or the application filed. Once the certificate is received, the company is legally required to use the new name in all its business communications and stationery.
When a UK company changes its registered name, it must notify a wide range of parties involved. HMRC should be notified promptly — the company's corporation tax reference, PAYE scheme reference, and VAT registration number all need to be updated to reflect the new name. The company's bank(s) must be notified, as the name change will affect the company's bank accounts, credit facilities, and payment arrangements — the bank will typically require a certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name. The company's existing clients and customers should be notified, particularly if they are parties to ongoing contracts or service agreements, as the contracts will continue with the company under its new name. Suppliers and contractors should be notified so they can update their records and confirm that invoices and payments are correctly attributed. Any regulatory bodies with which the company is registered (such as the FCA, Care Quality Commission, Ofsted, or sector-specific regulators) must be notified. Professional indemnity and public liability insurers must be notified of the name change. The Land Registry must be notified if the company owns registered property. Any trade associations, chambers of commerce, and professional organisations to which the company belongs should be updated. Marketing materials, websites, email signatures, business cards, and office signage must all be updated.
Existing contracts do not need to be formally amended when a company changes its name, because the company continues to exist as the same legal entity — only its name has changed. The change of name does not create a new company or affect the company's existing rights and obligations under contracts. Under English law, a contract with a company identified by its former name remains valid and enforceable, as the identity of the contracting party (the company's registered number and legal personality) has not changed. However, it is good practice to notify all contractual counterparties of the name change, both to avoid confusion and to confirm that future correspondence, invoices, and payments use the correct name. For ongoing contracts — particularly those involving regular payments, service agreements, or licences — it may be sensible to issue a variation letter or addendum recording the name change, even though this is not strictly legally required. New contracts entered into after the name change should use the company's new name. All contracts should identify the company by both its name and its registered number to avoid any ambiguity.
UK company names are subject to rules set out in Chapter 2 of Part 5 of the Companies Act 2006 (sections 53–85) and the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015. The key rules are: the name must end with 'Limited' or 'Ltd' (for private limited companies) or 'Public Limited Company' or 'PLC' (for public companies); the name must not be the same as or too similar to an existing registered name on the Companies House index (the 'same as' rules are set out in the Company and Business Names (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2009); the name must not include sensitive or restricted words or expressions (such as 'Royal', 'National', 'British', 'Bank', 'Charity', 'University', or 'Insurance') without prior approval from the relevant body; the name must not be offensive; the name must not constitute a criminal offence; and the name must not suggest a connection with government or with public authorities. Companies House operates a name checking service, and a proposed name will be rejected if it fails these tests. Even if a name is registered by Companies House, a third party may still object to the use of a name that infringes their registered trade mark.
A UK company's name change takes effect on the date stated in the new Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name issued by Companies House. This date is not necessarily the same as the date the special resolution was passed or the date the application was submitted to Companies House. Once Companies House approves the application and issues the certificate, the company's name on the public register is updated immediately. Companies House will typically process online name change applications (Form NM01 or NM04) within a few working days; paper applications may take longer. The company is legally required to use the new name in all its business communications from the effective date stated on the certificate. Using the old name after the effective date of the change can cause confusion and may be misleading to third parties. Companies House will continue to show the old name as a 'previous name' in the company's filing history, which assists with continuity of identity.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
Found an error? Let us knowRelated Documents
You may also find these documents useful:
Directors' Resolution (UK)
Create a Directors' Resolution for a company registered in England and Wales. Covers written resolutions passed by all directors without a meeting, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Suitable for recording decisions on director appointments, dividends, bank mandates, contracts, and other board-level matters.
Board Resolution (UK)
Create a formal board resolution for a company registered in England and Wales. Whether you need to record a decision made at a board meeting or pass a written resolution without a physical meeting, this template complies with the Companies Act 2006 and covers ordinary and special resolutions, quorum requirements, voting records, and Companies House filing obligations. Suitable for director appointments, share allotments, dividend approvals, contract authorisations, and all other board-level decisions.
Companies House Confirmation Statement Cover Letter (UK)
Create a cover letter to accompany a Companies House Confirmation Statement (CS01) filing. Ensures correct submission details under the Companies Act 2006 section 853A. Suitable for directors, company secretaries, and agents filing on behalf of companies registered in England and Wales.
Articles of Association (UK)
Create bespoke Articles of Association for a company incorporated in England and Wales. These Articles replace the Model Articles prescribed by the Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3229) and provide tailored governance provisions covering share capital, directors' powers and decision-making, share transfers with pre-emption rights, dividend policy, general meetings, and distribution on winding up. Drafted in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, this template is suitable for private companies limited by shares that require governance provisions beyond those offered by the default Model Articles.
Shareholders' Agreement (UK)
Protect the interests of all shareholders in a company incorporated in England and Wales with a detailed Shareholders' Agreement. This legally binding document governs the relationship between shareholders and the company, covering board composition, reserved matters (veto rights), dividend policy, share transfer restrictions with pre-emption rights, tag-along and drag-along rights, deadlock resolution, good leaver and bad leaver provisions, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality obligations. Drafted in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and English common law, this template is suitable for private companies with two or more shareholders who need clearly defined governance rules.