## What is Changing a Company Name?
Changing the name of a company requires reserving the new name. It also requires passing a shareholder resolution. It requires getting confirmation from the Registrar of Companies. Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013 governs name changes. A special resolution with at least 75% shareholder votes in favour is mandatory. The amended Memorandum of Association must be filed with the ROC via Form MGT-14 within 30 days. The new name is reserved by filing RUN on the MCA21 portal. This typically takes 3–7 working days. After RUN approval, Form INC-24 is filed with the altered MoA for ROC confirmation. The total process takes 15–25 working days. Once the ROC issues the fresh certificate of incorporation, the company must update its PAN, TAN, GST, IEC, and bank accounts with the new legal name.
In Gujarat's business landscape, name changes are particularly common in Surat's diamond and textile houses after ownership transitions. They are also common in Vadodara's engineering firms after promoter-led restructuring.
## Who Should Use This
Use this service if your company is rebranding. Also use it when responding to a merger or acquisition. Use it when aligning the name with a new product line. Or when removing a former promoter's name from its registration. Section 8 companies and companies with regulated activities such as NBFC or chit fund operations also need name change filings. When a Gujarat trading house's founding family sells a majority stake to a new investor group, the company name often changes to reflect the new ownership or brand identity.
## The FinTax24 Process
FinTax24 files RUN on the MCA21 portal with two name preferences in order of priority. Once RUN approves the reservation, the board resolution recommending the name change is drafted. A shareholder special resolution under section 13(1) is then circulated and passed. At least 75% of votes must be in favour. Form MGT-14 is filed on MCA21 within 30 days of the resolution. Form INC-24 is submitted to the ROC with the altered MoA and AoA signed by all directors. The ROC confirms and issues a fresh certificate of incorporation with the new name. FinTax24 then assists with updating PAN, TAN, GST, IEC, and bank accounts. FinTax24 also advises on notifying sector regulators such as RBI for NBFCs, IRDA for insurance entities, and SEBI for capital market participants.
## Compliance & Penalties
Form MGT-14 must be filed within 30 days of the special resolution under section 117. Late filing attracts a penalty of ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 for the company. Every defaulting officer also faces this penalty. Additional daily fines apply for continued default. Form INC-24 must be filed within 60 days of RUN approval. Companies that commence business or exercise borrowing powers before MGT-14 is filed are prohibited from doing so under section 9 of the Companies Act. For inter-state name changes or companies with regulated activities, Central Government approval under section 13(4) may also be required before the ROC confirms the new name.