How to Start a Change Company Name

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Online Change Company Name in India

A company being a legal entity, is required to have a name of its own to establish a Separate identity in the market. The name of a company is a symbol of independent corporate existence of it. The initial clause in the Memorandum of Association or MOA of the company states the name by which a company will be known to the public. The company is allowed to adopt any suitable name provided that the name is not undesirable.

Change in the Name clause of the Company involves the Alteration of Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of a Company. Section 13 and Section 14 of the Companies Act, 2013 regulates the procedure of amendment in the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association respectively and is also applicable to all the Companies.

Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013, deal with a change in the name of a company which says that the name of a company can be changed by a passing a special resolution and also with the complete approval of the Central Government of the country. An approval from the Central Government is not required if the change is related to the addition or deletion of the word "Private" to the name of the company.

What is the Need to Change Company Name in India?

The primary need to Change Company Name is as follows:

  • Voluntary Change
  • Change in the Business Objective
  • Enhance the Brand Value
  • Discard Boundaries Assumed by Name

Voluntary Change

The directors or the shareholders can voluntarily decide to change company name mutually for any justified reason. The names can be used to reflect the vision or any other characteristic of the company. To make the company name relatable and easy for the day to day consumer can also be one reason to change company name.

Change in the Business Objective

Change in company name may be required due to a change in the business objective. If the company name does not truly reflect the new altered objective, it can then be changed in line with the new objective. The company is required to apply for a change in company name if the Registrar has directed to do so in such a case.

Enhance the Brand Value

Name always assumes the brand value of the company and intention to improvise the brand value is often a primary reason to change company name. Also, industries where the trends change over a certain period of time, an appropriate company name can be chosen to be in accordance with the trend and also create a distinct identity. Change company name can prove to be a good marketing strategy for enhancing the brand value.

Discard Boundaries Assumed by Name

By use of certain words representing geographical region or offerings, the company name defines the boundary of operations. Expansion by capturing the wide market includes demands that includes certain removing boundaries assumed by the company name. Further, if the company name has become irrelevant to the products or services offered it should be changed to target the right consumers.

Other important Points for Change Company Name in India

The other important points for Change Company Name in India are as follows:

  • The new approved name should be reserved for a time period of 60 days.
  • The change company name should not be allowed for the following Companies:
  • 1. The company which has not filed the annual returns in e-Form MGT-7 or financial statements in e-Form AOC-4;

    2. The company which has failed to pay or repay the matured deposits or debentures or interest thereon.

  • It is not primarily important that the changed company name must reflect the primary object of the Company. However, the same is always recommendable by the authorities.
  • In a case of conversion of a Company from private to public, the deletion of the word “private” does not involve any change in name clause procedure of the company.

Documents Required for Change Company Name in India

The essential documents required for Change Company Name in India are as follows:

  • Digital Signature Certificate of one of the authorised directors to be provided;
  • A copy of the latest amended Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the company;
  • Certificate of Incorporation of the company to be provided;
  • Copy of PAN card of the company should be provided;
  • Complete Minutes of the members meeting.

What is the Procedure for Change Company Name in India?

The process of Change Company Name in India is as follows:

  • Passing of Board Resolution
  • Checking Name Availability
  • Passing Special Resolution
  • Applying to Registrar
  • Issuance of Certificate of Incorporation
  • Incorporating Company Name in MOA and AOA

Passing of Board Resolution

When all the partners are mutually agreed a Board Meeting should be called for the passing a resolution to change the company name. In the Board Meeting, the Board of Directors will thoroughly discuss and approve the change in the name of the company.

After the approval for the same Director or the CS of the company will be authorised to check name availability with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. And, also the Director or CS of the company will be authorised to call for an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting for passing the special resolution for a change company name.

Checking Name Availability

The authorized Director or Company Secretary is required to apply in RUN form to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for checking the availability of name and approving the name of the company. This process is same as the process that is adopted at the time of initial name approval of the company.

Registrar of Companies will be sending a letter stating that the proposed name by the members is available. Please note that this will not be considered as the final approval of the company name, it is simply a confirmation from Registrar of Companies that the proposed name is available.

The name proposed should not be similar to any another existing company name, and it should not include the word “state.” The other basic conditions existing at the time of initial name approval also exists in this situation.

Passing Special Resolution

Once the proposed new name is approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the company is required to call for an Extra-ordinary General Meeting. A special resolution should be passed for the changing of name and make the required change in the company's Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.

Applying to Registrar

A special resolution is required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies within a time period of 30 days of passing the special resolution. With the passed resolution, Form MGT-14 should also be filed which contains the complete details about the passed special resolution in the extraordinary general meeting.

Following documents are required to be submitted with MGT-14:

  • A certified true copy of the Special Resolution;
  • Notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting;
  • Explanatory statement to the Extraordinary General Meeting;
  • The altered Memorandum of Association;
  • The altered Articles of Association;

Once Form MGT-14 is filed, the company is required to file form INC-24 with the Registrar of Companies for taking an approval of the central government for change company name along with the fees prescribed for the same.

Form INC-24 is required to be filed after form MGT-14. Since, form INC-24 specifically asks for the SRN of MGT-14 form filed with Registrar of Companies. SRN of RUN is also required to be mentioned in form INC-24. Along with form INC-24, a copy of the minutes of the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting where a special resolution was passed, also needed to be submitted.

In form INC-24, reasons for the change company name, details about the total number of members who attended the Extraordinary General Meeting, the total number of members voting in favour or against the special resolution, and total percentage of shareholding is also required to be mentioned.

Issuance of Certificate of Incorporation

If the Registrar of Companies is completely satisfied with the documents submitted, he/she will issue a new Certificate of Incorporation to the existing company.

The change company name process will not be considered as completed until the new Certificate of Incorporation is issued by the Registrar of Companies.

Incorporating Company Name in MOA and AOA

Once the new Certificate of Incorporation is received from the Registrar of Companies, the changed company name should be incorporated in all the copies of MOA and AOA.

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Frequently Asked Questions


The steps involved in the procedure are Convene Board Meeting, Apply for Name Approval, Hold Extraordinary General Meeting, File Special Resolution and Application with ROC, Acquire a new Certificate of Incorporation.

The forms required are RUN (Reserve Unique Name) Form, MGT 14, and INC 22.

It usually takes around a time period of 3 to 4 business working days to change the company’s name on the Companies House register in India.

No, the stamp duty is generally paid on the allotment of shares. Moreover, the change in name is not the adoption of a new set of memorandum and articles anyhow.

In such a case, the company name will have to re-apply for the name reservation. Also, it is always recommendable to attach a copy of the previous name approval letter that got expired.

No, an existing company needs to reserve its name only by way of an RUN form.

The board of directors needs to pass a Special Resolution by holding an Extraordinary General Meeting.

In case a company wants to change its object clause of MOA, it can do so by passing the necessary resolution and file eForm MGT 14.

The documents required are DSC, amended MOA and AOA, Certificate of Incorporation, PAN Card, and the Minutes of the Company’s Meeting.

A name remains reserved for a period of 60 days, starting from the date of name reservation.

The main benefit of the process of Name Change is that it enhances the brand value of a company.

No, the change in the company name will not result in a new business entity.

The name chosen must be as per the provisions of the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rule 2020.

Only in the situation of the addition and deletion of the word ‘Private’, a company needs prior approval from the Central Government.

The directors of the company need to inform the ROC or Registrar about the Name Change within 30 days of passing the resolution in the General Meetings.

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