A company’s name is one of its most important assets — it shapes brand identity, customer perception, and legal documentation across every aspect of the business. Yet there are many legitimate reasons why a Singapore company may need to change its name: a rebranding exercise, a merger or acquisition, resolution of a trademark conflict, a pivot in business strategy, or simply a desire to better reflect what the company does. Whatever the reason, changing a company name in Singapore involves a specific process under the Companies Act 1967 and requires ACRA’s approval.

This guide explains the legal requirements for changing a company name in Singapore, the restrictions that apply, the approval process, and the practical steps that directors and company secretaries need to take after the change is approved.

Can Any Company Name Be Chosen?

Not every name is available. ACRA maintains a set of naming rules and restrictions that apply to both new company names and name changes. Understanding these restrictions before submitting your application will save time and avoid rejection.

Names That Are Not Permitted

ACRA will reject a name that is identical or confusingly similar to an existing company, LLP, or business name on the ACRA register. The assessment considers phonetic similarity, spelling variations, and the addition of common words (such as “Singapore”, “& Co”, or generic descriptors) that do not meaningfully distinguish the name from an existing one.

Names that are undesirable — including obscene, offensive, or misleading names — will be rejected. Names that imply government association (for example, “National”, “Singapore”, or “Authority”) require special justification and prior approval from the relevant government ministry or statutory board. Names that suggest connection with a foreign government or royalty similarly require prior approval. Names containing regulated terms such as “Bank”, “Finance”, “Insurance”, “Fund”, or “Trust” require approval from the relevant regulator (MAS, for financial sector terms) before ACRA will approve them.

Trademark Considerations

ACRA’s name approval does not constitute a trademark clearance. Before adopting a new company name, it is advisable to conduct a trademark search through the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) to confirm that the proposed name does not infringe any registered trademark. A company may be compelled to change its name again if a trademark owner successfully asserts its rights after the name change is registered. If you need legal advice on trademark clearance and intellectual property considerations in the context of a rebranding, specialist IP counsel can assist.

Shareholder Approval: Special Resolution

Under Section 28 of the Companies Act 1967, a company may change its name by passing a special resolution of the members. A special resolution requires at least 75% of the votes cast at a general meeting (AGM or EGM) to be in favour, with at least 14 days’ notice of the meeting having been given to all members (for private companies).

Alternatively, the members may pass the resolution in writing without convening a physical or virtual meeting — this is known as a written resolution. Under Section 184B of the Companies Act (applicable to private companies), a written resolution must be agreed to by members holding at least 75% of the total voting rights. Written resolutions are often the most practical approach for small private companies where all shareholders are engaged and can sign quickly.

The special resolution to change the company name must state the existing name and the proposed new name in full. Our guide on board resolutions in Singapore and our article on EGMs in Singapore cover the procedural requirements for shareholder meetings and resolutions in more detail.

ACRA Application via BizFile+

Once the special resolution is passed, the company must apply to ACRA to register the name change. This is done online through BizFile+. The authorised filer (typically the company secretary or a registered filing agent) logs in using CorpPass and submits the application under the “Change of Company Name” transaction.

Documents Required

The ACRA application requires: the proposed new company name; confirmation that the special resolution has been passed (the resolution itself must be lodged with ACRA within 14 days of passing); and, where required, the prior approval letter from the relevant government authority or regulator if the proposed name contains a regulated term.

Fees and Processing Time

ACRA charges a fee for each name application, which is subject to change. As of 2026, the fee for a company name application (whether for a new incorporation or a name change) is S$15. Processing is typically instantaneous for straightforward names that do not trigger a manual review. If the proposed name requires approval from a government authority or contains terms that flag for manual review, processing may take several days to weeks.

Upon approval, ACRA issues a Notice of Change of Company Name. The new name takes effect from the date specified in the notice. ACRA updates the ACRA register automatically, and the company’s new name will appear in BizFile+.

Lodging the Special Resolution With ACRA

The special resolution authorising the name change must be lodged with ACRA within 14 days of it being passed. Failure to lodge within 14 days is an offence under the Companies Act. The resolution is lodged as part of the name change application, or separately using the “Lodge Document” function on BizFile+ if the application was submitted at a different time.

After the Name Change: What Needs to Be Updated?

Obtaining ACRA’s approval is just the first step. A company name change requires a comprehensive update exercise across legal documentation, branding, banking, and contracts. Directors and company secretaries should ensure the following are addressed promptly after the change takes effect.

Company Seal and Letterhead

The company’s common seal (if it uses one), letterhead, invoices, and all business stationery must be updated to reflect the new name. Under the Companies Act, every company must display its full registered name on all official correspondence and business documents. Using the old name on business documents after the change has been registered could cause confusion and, in some contexts, may have legal implications.

Registered Office and ACRA Records

ACRA updates the register automatically, but you should verify that the new name appears correctly in the ACRA register and on the company’s BizFile+ profile. Print a fresh Business Profile from BizFile+ after the change is confirmed and retain it as evidence of the updated registration.

Bank Accounts

Notify your banking institutions of the name change as soon as possible. Banks typically require the ACRA Notice of Change of Company Name and an updated Business Profile to update their records. Until the bank updates its records, there may be complications with payments made to the old company name or with the company’s ability to deposit cheques made out to the new name.

Contracts and Agreements

Existing contracts entered into by the company under its old name remain valid and enforceable — the legal entity is the same; only the name has changed. However, it is good practice to notify key counterparties of the name change and to execute novation agreements or supplemental agreements where the updated name is important for practical or regulatory purposes (for example, government contracts, licensed activities, or financing arrangements).

Tax Reference Numbers and Licences

The company’s Unique Entity Number (UEN) and IRAS tax reference number remain unchanged after a name change. However, you should notify IRAS of the change and update the company’s name on myTax Portal. Licences, permits, and registrations held in the company’s old name — for example, GST registration, MOM employer registration, and sector-specific licences — should be updated with the relevant agencies.

CPF and Payroll

Update the company’s name with the Central Provident Fund Board (CPF Board) to ensure that CPF contribution records accurately reflect the new company name. Our guide on Singapore payroll and CPF covers the full employer obligations for CPF contributions.

Name Reservation Before a Name Change

If you want to secure a specific new name before convening the shareholder meeting to pass the special resolution, you can apply to reserve the name with ACRA through BizFile+. A name reservation holds the chosen name for 60 days, preventing another entity from registering it in the meantime. The reservation fee is S$15. Note that a reservation does not constitute approval — ACRA will still assess the name when the actual name change application is submitted.

For the latest ACRA naming guidelines and the full list of restricted words requiring prior approval, visit the ACRA website and review the Companies Act on Singapore Statutes Online.

For directors and shareholders managing the administrative workload of a name change alongside their core business responsibilities, sound business investment planning includes ensuring that the name change process does not disrupt normal operations. For broader Singapore business news, there are useful resources for staying on top of ACRA regulatory updates.

To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. Our corporate secretarial team can handle the full name change process, from name reservation through to post-change notifications, on your behalf.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services