Change Your Company Name in India
A new name should be the exciting part of rebranding. The paperwork shouldn’t be. Legitway Services takes care of the legal drafting, MCA filings and follow-ups so your name change reaches the finish line without avoidable rejections.
✓ Draft Board and Shareholder Resolutions
✓ File RUN, MGT-14, and INC-24 Forms
✓ Obtain a New Certificate of Incorporation
✓ Maintain ROC Compliance After the Name Change
✓ Trusted by Leading Startups and Enterprises
Speak to our team: +91-9310582360 | info@legitwayservices.com
What Does a Change of Company Name Actually Mean?
It means officially replacing the name recorded for your company with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Think of a person legally adopting a new name: the person is the same, only the label on the paperwork is different.
The process needs approval from your directors and shareholders and then the Registrar’s approval. Once granted, you receive a fresh Certificate of Incorporation carrying the new name.
A few things stay exactly as they are:
- Your CIN (the 21-character Corporate Identification Number) does not change
- Your company continues to exist without any break in its operations or legal status
- It is still the same legal entity, not a new company
After approval, the new name needs to be reflected across your letterheads, invoices, signboards, website, bank accounts, PAN, GST registration, and registrations with PF, ESIC and Shops and Establishment authorities, where relevant.
What Happens to Your Rights and Liabilities?
Nothing changes on the legal and financial side.
- Contracts remain valid. Agreements signed under the old name still bind everyone. You don’t have to re-sign them, though it is sensible to inform counterparties.
- Debts and loans stay. A new name does not erase existing obligations.
- Legal proceedings continue. Pending cases carry on under the new name.
- Assets stay with the company. Property, bank balances and other assets are untouched.
In short, a name change is a change of label, not of substance.
Why Companies Change Their Name
To match a new direction. A company that started in one line of business may grow into something broader. A name tied to the original product can start to feel limiting.
To rebrand. A dated or hard-to-remember name can hold a brand back. A fresh name can appeal to a newer audience, work better on social media and help you stand apart from competitors.
After an acquisition or merger. New owners often fold the company into their own brand family, and the name changes to reflect that.
To resolve a trademark conflict. If your name clashes with another company or a registered trademark, changing it early can spare you a costly dispute.
Because the ROC or Central Government directs it. This can happen when a name is too similar to an existing company or LLP, identical to a registered trademark, or considered undesirable. In such cases the change generally has to be made within three months of the direction, and it is not optional.
Check These Before You Start
The MCA will not clear a name change if your company has compliance gaps. Sort out the following first.
1. Annual filings must be current. Your Form AOC-4 (financial statements) and Form MGT-7 or MGT-7A (annual return) should be filed up to date. Overdue filings lead to rejection.
2. No overdue deposits or debentures. Any matured deposits must be repaid, and debenture interest and principal must be paid on schedule.
3. No clashing applications. If you have another significant application pending with the ROC, such as a change of registered office or directors, it is cleaner to let that finish before starting the name change.
How to Pick a Name That Gets Approved
Make It Unique
The name cannot be identical or too similar to an existing company or LLP. Similarity includes names that sound alike, so “Innovate Solutions” and “Innov8 Solutions” can be treated as too close.
Search Before You Apply
Use the MCA’s RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service to see what is already taken. Keep in mind that a name appearing available is not a guarantee of approval. The Central Registration Centre can still reject a name that is misleading, too generic or insufficiently distinctive.
Check Trademarks
Don’t adopt a name that matches someone’s registered trademark. The trademark owner can object and the application may be rejected. Search the Trade Marks registry before you settle on a name.
Avoid Restricted and Prohibited Words
- Prohibited: Words that suggest a government link, such as “National”, “Union”, “Central”, “President” or “Prime Minister”, and names of foreign countries or international bodies
- Restricted: Words such as “Bank”, “Insurance”, “Stock Exchange” or “Venture Capital”, which need approval from the relevant regulator like the RBI or SEBI
A descriptive name can be changed too, as long as the new one follows every MCA guideline and isn’t misleading or offensive.
The Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Board meeting. Give directors at least seven days’ notice. At the meeting, the Board approves the proposed new name or names, authorises a director or Company Secretary to apply for name reservation, and fixes the date, time and venue of the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
Step 2: Reserve the name through RUN. File the application on the MCA portal with up to two preferred names. The government fee is ₹1,000. If approved, the name is reserved for a limited period, and you must finish the remaining steps before the reservation lapses. [Confirm the current reservation period on the MCA portal before publishing.] If the name is rejected, you generally get one chance to resubmit within 15 days without paying the fee again.
Step 3: Call the EGM. Send notice to all shareholders, directors and auditors at least 21 clear days before the meeting, with an explanatory statement describing why the change is in the company’s interest. Shorter notice is possible if the required majority of members consent.
Step 4: Pass a special resolution. At the EGM, shareholders vote on the change. A special resolution needs at least 75 percent of the votes cast in favour. The resolution also covers amending the name clause of the Memorandum of Association and the corresponding Articles of Association.
Step 5: File Form MGT-14. Submit it with the ROC within 30 days of passing the resolution, attaching the special resolution, the EGM notice with its explanatory statement, and the altered MOA and AOA where available.
Step 6: File Form INC-24. This is the application for approval of the name change. It carries the details of the resolution and the reason for the change, with the EGM minutes attached.
Step 7: Receive the new Certificate of Incorporation. Once the ROC is satisfied, it issues a fresh certificate (Form INC-25) in the new name. The name change takes effect from the date on that certificate.
Documents You Will Need
For the Board Meeting and RUN
- List of proposed new names
- Board resolution approving the name change proposal
- Board resolution authorising a director to file the RUN application
For Form MGT-14
- Certified true copy of the special resolution
- Copy of the EGM notice sent to shareholders
- Explanatory statement attached to the notice
- Altered MOA and AOA showing the new name (recommended to keep ready)
For Form INC-24
- Minutes of the EGM at which the special resolution was passed
- Director’s declaration that the company is up to date with filings and financial obligations
- Proof that the company has not defaulted on loans or payments
Cost and Timeline
Government Fees
These are paid on the MCA portal. Amounts depend on your company’s authorised capital, so [confirm against the current MCA fee schedule].
Item | Fee |
|---|---|
RUN (name reservation) | ₹1,000 |
Form MGT-14 | Depends on authorised capital (for example, ₹200 for capital up to ₹1,00,000) |
Form INC-24 | Depends on the type and authorised capital of the company (typically ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 for smaller companies) |
Professional Fees
Because the process involves drafting and filing, most companies engage a CA, CS or consultant. Fees across the market range from about ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 or more, depending on complexity. [Insert Legitway Services fee or “Contact us for a quote”.]
How Long It Takes
Expect roughly 30 to 45 days from start to finish.
Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
RUN approval | 2 to 3 working days |
EGM notice period | 21 clear days |
ROC processing after MGT-14 and INC-24 | 15 to 30 working days |
These are estimates. Delays can occur if the ROC is busy or if an application is incomplete or contains errors.
After the Name Change
Getting the new certificate is not the last step. To avoid friction with banks, customers and authorities, update the following:
- PAN and TAN records
- GST registration
- Bank accounts and cheque books
- PF, ESIC and Shops and Establishment registrations, where applicable
- Trademark records, if your brand name has changed
- Letterheads, invoices, signboards, website, email signatures and packaging
- Agreements, licences and vendor or customer records
For two years after the change, the company must show its former name alongside the new one on signboards, letterheads and other official documents.
Why Work with Legitway Services
Name change applications are easy to get wrong: a missed filing, a poorly drafted notice or a name that is too close to an existing one can cost weeks. We aim to avoid that.
- Careful drafting: Resolutions, notices and explanatory statements prepared correctly the first time
- Compliance check up front: We look for pending filings before they trigger a rejection
- End-to-end filing: RUN, MGT-14 and INC-24 handled by us
- After-change guidance: Help updating your PAN, GST, bank and other records
- Clear communication: A single point of contact who keeps you informed
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a company name change take? Usually 30 to 45 days, which includes the 21-day EGM notice period and ROC processing.
Will my PAN or GST number change? No. Your PAN, TAN and GSTIN stay the same. You do need to get the new company name updated in those records.
Can I change the name if my annual filings are pending? No. The MCA will not approve the change while AOC-4 and MGT-7 filings are overdue, so clear them first.
What if the ROC rejects the proposed name? You can generally resubmit the RUN application within 15 days with new names without paying the fee again. Choose distinctive names to reduce the chance of a second rejection.
Do I have to show the old name after the change? Yes. Under the Companies Act, 2013, the former name should appear along with the new one on signboards, letterheads and official documents for two years.
Does a name change affect ongoing legal cases? No. Proceedings continue as before, and the records are updated to show the new name.
Can I change my business activities at the same time? Yes, but changing the object clause is a separate process that also needs a special resolution and an MGT-14 filing. The two can run together, though each has its own approvals and is easier to manage with professional help.
Disclaimer: Legitway Services is a facilitation and consulting provider. The information on this page is for general guidance and is not legal advice. Fees, forms and timelines are set by the MCA and may change, so confirm current requirements with the official source.
Contact Legitway Services: +91-9310582360 | info@legitwayservices.com | legitwayservices.com