![[Company Name Change] What to Do for Unlimited/Limited Company Name Changes (Changing Business Name)? Requirements and Procedures for Changing Company Name](https://www.genacct.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240917141728.webp)
Can I change my company name myself? Theoretically, yes. The procedure for changing the name of an unlimited/limited company basically involves submitting forms to the Companies Registry and the Business Registration Office. However, based on years of experience, the general public often overlooks the preparations before changing a company name and the follow-up actions required afterward.
Additionally, if a company has already applied for its business name as a registered trademark, you need to weigh whether you should change the company/business name, or register the proposed new company name as a trademark before proceeding with the change.
This article shares the name change process for unlimited/limited companies, providing a step-by-step guide on the documents required, precautions for changing a business name, and more importantly, helping everyone understand the essential follow-up matters and the document checklist for changing a company bank account name.
Precautions for Changing a Company Name
1. Company Name Regulations
The proposed new company name must comply with the Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies (1). For details, please visit the “Company Name Search” section in Step 1 of the Company Incorporation Process.
2. Trademark Registration
If you intend to apply for the new business name as a registered trademark, it is recommended to search the new company name first to confirm it can be registered as a trademark. A safer approach is to proceed with the company name change process only after submitting the trademark registration application.
3. Avoid Using Company Names That Are Already Registered Trademarks
In addition to conducting a company name search, it is also recommended to check the Trademark Register to see if the name has already been registered as a trademark, avoiding any intellectual property infringement by the new company or business name.
4. You Can Change Only the Chinese or English Company Name
It is possible to change only the Chinese or English name of the company; it is not mandatory to change both simultaneously.
5. Adding a Chinese or English Name
If a company originally only had an English name and now wishes to add a Chinese name, this is treated as a company name change. The Companies Registry will issue a “Certificate of Change of Name.”
6. Special Resolution
A company name change requires a special resolution from shareholders and a board meeting (3). If you are unfamiliar with the Companies Ordinance or the Articles of Association, it is recommended to appoint a professional secretarial company to handle the name change procedures.
Limited Company Name Change Process
1. Company Name Search
Log in to the Companies Registry e-Services portal at https://www.e-services.cr.gov.hk to conduct a search of the Chinese and English company names to confirm they are available for registration. For more details on company name searches, you can visit another article: Company Name Search.
2. Signing a Special Resolution
After confirming the company name, the company needs to pass a special resolution where shareholders agree to the name change and authorize a director or the company secretary to execute the name change process.
3. Filing the Notice of Change of Company Name (NNC2)
Within 15 days after the special resolution takes effect, the applicant can choose to submit the company name change form in hard copy or online.
- Complete the Notice of Change of Company Name (Form NNC2) and submit it to the Companies Registry along with a fee of $295. Further reading: Guide to Companies Registry Forms.
- Applicants can also use the Companies Registry e-Services (CR e-Service) to submit Form NNC2 online. For more details on CR e-Services: Companies Registry e-Services User Registration Tutorial.
4. Collect the Certificate of Change of Name and BR
- Once the company name change is successful, you will receive a notification from the Companies Registry. The applicant can collect the Certificate of Change of Name from the Companies Registry during office hours, and the Business Registration Certificate (BR) will be mailed directly to the registered office address.
- If the application is submitted online, the Companies Registry will notify the result of the limited company name change via email. Users can then log in to the CR e-Services portal to download the Certificate of Change of Name and the updated Business Registration Certificate. For more on downloading CI and BR online, visit [Online Company Incorporation] What is Electronic Incorporation? Same-day Limited Company Setup Guide to view the tutorial for downloading electronic versions.
5. Order a New Company Green Box
After completing the limited company name change, a new green box with the new company name needs to be ordered. It is particularly important to prepare the Articles of Association, which must include the special resolution for the name change and the updated name. A new company chop (seal) must also be ordered.
6. Update Company Registers
Due to the new company name, the company secretary must update the company registers, including the Register of Directors, Register of Secretaries, Register of Members (Shareholders), and the Register of Significant Controllers.
More information: Significant Controllers Register (SCR)
7. Notify the Bank of the Name Change
Since the company is now operating under a new name, customers will use the new name when writing cheques. You must notify the bank as soon as possible to change the company account name so that customers can perform transfers, payments, and deposits using the new name.
Unlimited Company Name Change / Change of Business Name
Changing the name of an unlimited company only requires notifying the Business Registration Office. The change must be reported within one month of the business name change by completing Form IRC3110A “Notice of Change of Business Name” and submitting it to the Business Registration Office.
Download IRC3110A
Business Registration Office Address: 2/F, Inland Revenue Centre, 5 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, Kowloon
Note: For unlimited company services at the Business Registration Office, an online appointment must be made in advance. For more details, visit: Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong Business Registration: Latest BR Application, Fees, Documents, and Renewal Guide
Important Follow-up Matters After Changing a Company Name
Completing the name change process is only one part of the transition. Years of experience show that clients often overlook the need to notify different departments or organizations, which can lead to serious consequences—such as forgetting to update the company nameplate, resulting in fines during Companies Registry inspections. Below are common follow-up items:
- Notify customers and suppliers of the name change
- Change the company nameplate/signage
- Notify government departments or public bodies, such as the Water Supplies Department or Transport Department
- Change the bank account name
- Update the company website, business cards, letterheads, etc.
- Notify landlords or any companies/individuals with whom you have contracts
- Update all online information, such as social media, chambers of commerce, or organizational directories
- Update employee contracts
- Notify MPF providers/insurance companies
- Licensing departments, such as the Travel Industry Council or restaurant licensing boards
Do I need to notify the bank about a company name change?
Yes, it is absolutely necessary and very important. A limited company must notify the bank immediately after preparing the Articles of Association and the new company chop, while an unlimited company only needs to order a new chop.
This is because when the company operates under the new name, customer payments—whether via FPS, remittance, bank transfer, or cheque—will be made to the new company name.
If you forget to notify the bank and a customer transfers funds using the new name, the bank may reject the payment without prior notice, which can easily lead to financial loss.
Document Checklist for Changing a Company Bank Account Name
The following is a list of documents required to change a company account name. Requirements may vary slightly between banks; please refer to your bank’s specific regulations for the final version:
1. Certificate of Incorporation / Certificate of Change of Name
2. Business Registration Certificate (BR)
3. Articles of Association
4. Company Registers
5. Company Chop (Seal)
6. Minutes of the meeting regarding the name change
7. Certified true copies of name change documents
8. Company search fee
Further reading: Latest Guide to Opening a Company Account | Bank Account Opening, Requirements, and Fees
Company Name Change Fees
For the Notice of Change of Company Name (Form NNC2), the Companies Registry (CR) charges $295 (2); there is no fee for changing the name of an unlimited company at the Business Registration Office.
Appointing a secretarial company to handle the name change typically costs around $1,000–$2,000, plus additional costs for ordering a green box and certified true copies of documents.
Using General Accounting’s name change service as an example, the $2,095 fee includes handling the name change procedure, ordering the green box, and CPA certified true copies. For more details, visit: Company Secretarial Services
Will the Business Registration Number change after an unlimited/limited company name change?
No. Even if a company changes its name 10 times, the Business Registration Number (the Unique Business Identifier) will not change. It is similar to a person changing their name; the ID card number remains the same.
Further reading: What is a Unique Business Identifier (UBI)? Is the Business Registration Number the same as the Company Number?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can sign Form NNC2?
A: A company director, company secretary, or an authorized officer of the company can sign the NNC2.
Q: How long does it take to change a company name?
Conclusion
A company name change can be handled personally, but attention must be paid to preparation, procedures, and follow-up matters. Changing the name of an unlimited/limited company requires submitting forms to the Companies Registry and Business Registration Office, as well as passing a shareholders’ special resolution. The name must comply with registration guidelines, and if a trademark is already registered, trademark registration for the new name should be considered first.
After the name change, care must be taken to update the Articles of Association, company chop, green box, and registers. Follow-up on essential matters such as changing the bank account name and notifying suppliers and customers.
General Accounting has been established for over 20 years, providing unlimited/limited company name change services (Trust or Company Service Provider License No.: TC002940). If you have any questions regarding changing a company name, our professional customer service managers can provide a free preliminary business name change consultation.
Further reading:
Sources
1. Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies
https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/companies_ordinance/docs/Guide_RegCompName-e.pdf
2. Companies Registry Guidance: https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/publications/docs/6-e.pdf
3. Companies Registry – Change of Company Name
https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/services/change-company-name.htm
