Changing an incorporated company’s name requires the official CRO process. Prepare the resolution and amended constitution with appropriate advice, and wait for the certificate before using the new company name.
Confirm what is actually changing
A business can change its public branding without making every underlying registration identical. Start with the exact current company name and number. Then write down the proposed company name, any trading name and the web address you intend to use.
Ask your adviser whether you need a change of the company’s registered name, a business-name registration or another step. This distinction matters when requesting quotes: a designer’s rebrand, a trading-name filing and a company-name change are different pieces of work.
Check the current CRO process
The CRO change-of-name guidance requires a special resolution, Form G1Q, an amended constitution and the filing fee. It lists €50 online through CORE or €100 on paper, checked on 9 October 2026. The CRO also requires the company to be up to date with annual-return obligations before approval.
The new company name cannot be used until the certificate of change of name is issued; the change takes effect on the certificate date. Get suitable professional help for the resolution, constitution and any circumstances affecting your company.
Research the replacement before scheduling the rebrand
Give the proposed name the same careful shortlist research as a new venture. Keep relevant register records and questions together, with an alternative option. If a close name or rights issue appears, resolve that question before booking a launch announcement.
A good planning brief tells the designer which status is confirmed and which remains open. In particular, separate name research from official approval. Avoid setting a print deadline that assumes an application will be accepted on the first submission.
Use a transition sheet
| Area | Planning question |
|---|---|
| Official record | Who retains the certificate and confirms its date? |
| Customer documents | Which templates need the correct legal identity? |
| Banking and suppliers | Who checks each organisation’s update requirements? |
| Website and email | How will existing visitors and messages reach us? |
| Customers | What short explanation will prevent confusion? |
This is an operational planning sheet rather than a substitute for statutory disclosure advice. Ask your adviser which specific documents, filings and notifications apply.
A fictional transition with clear ownership
Imagine “Willow Drawing Limited” planning a new brand, “Copper Desk”. The founders keep a single master sheet showing the current legal name, the proposed change and the evidence needed for each update. Their website editor prepares revised pages privately while their presenter handles the filing.
Once the official position is confirmed, they agree the sequence for customer notices, document templates and online changes. One person checks the links and email routes after the update. All names in this example are fictional and unverified.
Before placing an order, ask the provider whether its fee includes the filing, document preparation and support after a returned application. Keep the old and new records together so future advisers can follow the history without guessing from a logo change.
Sources & review
Editorial owner: Thomas O'Sullivan. Sources checked 9 October 2026. Professional review: Thomas O'Sullivan (Company formation expert and writer), 9 October 2026. Scope: Current naming, formation and domain guidance, practical examples and source references.
Examples are fictional and do not establish name or domain availability. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or provider. Report a correction.