Changing your registered company name takes 2 hours and costs £8 online. But get the shareholder resolution wrong and Companies House rejects it. Here's the exact process including the template wording that works.
Step 1: Check Availability
Use Trademark Lens before anything. Name must pass same rules as new registration.
Step 2: Pass Special Resolution
75% shareholder vote required. Board resolution insufficient for name changes.
Resolution Template
"That the name of the company be changed to [NEW NAME]." Exact wording. Nothing else required.
Step 3: File Form NM01
Online via Companies House WebFiling. £8 same-day processing, £30 for paper filing.
Step 4: Receive Certificate
Effective date = certificate date, not filing date. Legal name changes on certificate issue.
Post-Change Requirements
Update bank, HMRC, contracts, stationery within 28 days. Old name invalid immediately.
Warning: You can't change to a name "too similar" to your current name to evade debts. Companies House blocks phoenix company tactics.
Generic Names Can't Be Trademarked
If you want legal protection and a name competitors can't copy, make it distinctive from day one. Name changes are your second chance to get it right.