Changing the name of a company is a legal process under the Companies Act, 2013, and it allows a business to operate with a new identity without affecting its existing legal rights, obligations, or liabilities. The Name Change of the Company involves updating the registered name in the official records of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), which means your company will be known by a new name in all government records, bank accounts, legal documents, and branding materials.
There can be various reasons for changing the company name — it could be due to rebranding, a change in business direction, partnership restructuring, merger, or simply to make the name more appealing or relevant to the market. But whatever the reason is, the process must be done legally and with proper documentation to avoid penalties and to ensure all records remain valid and traceable.
Changing the company name can help align the brand with your new business vision, target audience, and current industry trends, making it more attractive to customers.
When a company grows or diversifies, its old name might not represent all services. A new name supports wider business activities and prevents confusion.
A relevant and catchy name enhances your company's position in the market and increases brand recall among customers.
If the current name is similar to another brand, changing it can help avoid legal trouble and ensure exclusive brand identity.
A name that reflects the nature of the business or the industry helps customers understand your services more easily.
If ownership or management has changed, a new name reflects this change to customers, partners, and investors.
Sometimes, an old name might not make sense in an international market. A new name helps attract global clients and investors.
A new and SEO-friendly name helps improve your online presence, domain availability, and search engine ranking.
A professional and relevant name gives a strong impression to investors about the seriousness and scalability of the business.
The name change process involves getting board approval, applying for name availability using the RUN form on the MCA portal, passing a special resolution in an EGM, and then submitting MGT-14 and INC-24 to the Registrar of Companies. After approval, the company receives a new Certificate of Incorporation with the changed name.
Yes, after the name change is approved, the company must update its GST registration details to reflect the new name. You should log into the GST portal, update your business name, and submit the required documents such as new COI and Board Resolution.
The PAN remains the same, but it needs to be updated with the new name. The CIN (Corporate Identification Number) also remains the same, but the name associated with it will be updated in the MCA records.
No, you cannot simply change the structure from a Private Limited Company to LLP by changing the name. You will need to close the company and start a new LLP or convert it officially through a legal process.
Generally, it takes about 10–15 working days from the date of application submission, depending on the approval speed of the MCA and document correctness.
Yes, as per the Companies Act, a special resolution must be passed by shareholders in an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting before applying for final approval.
No, the company remains the same legal entity, and existing contracts, agreements, and liabilities remain valid. However, you must notify clients and update the name in all legal documents.
Yes, you can provide two name choices while using the RUN service, but final approval depends on name availability and Registrar’s discretion.
If your name change request is rejected due to similarity, existing trademark, or technical reasons, you can reapply with a new name. Make sure the new name is unique and follows the naming guidelines.
Yes, the company must amend the Memorandum and Articles of Association to reflect the new name, and attach it while filing Form INC-24.