Businesses are dynamic entities, constantly evolving to meet market demands and internal growth strategies. In Hong Kong, keeping your company’s details up-to-date is not just a good practice but a legal necessity.

This guide explains the process to change your company name in Hong Kong with ease.

Why Update Your Company Information?

Staying compliant with Hong Kong’s business regulations is crucial. Timely updating of company information, such as changes in the company name, registered office address, or directorship, ensures legal compliance and reflects a professional image in the business community.

Any changes in the company should be reported to the Companies Registry (CR) within 15 days.

The Steps to Changing Your Company Name

1. Identifying a New Name

Choose a name that aligns with your current brand identity and business activities, ensuring it follows the naming guidelines set by the Companies Registry (see below).

2. Special Resolution

At least 75% of the shareholders must agree with the proposed name change.  This must be signed in a document, which is the special resolution. Your company secretary can help draft the resolution.

3. Form Submission

Complete and submit Form NNC2 (Notice of Change of Company Name)’ within 15 days of passing the special resolution.

The form can be filed online, in person or by post to the Companies Registry.

The address for both posting and drop-offs is Companies Registry, 14th floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

Remember, if posting, it’s essential to allow sufficient time for the Companies Registry to receive the form within the 15-day deadline.

The filing fee is HK$295, applicable to both online and postal submissions. For postal applications, include a cheque but avoid sending cash.

For Registered Non-Hong Kong companies, the fee for registering a name change is HK$1,425.

4. Await the Companies Registry’s Decision

Once approved, the CR will issue a Certificate of Change of Name in either digital or physical format, depending on your submission method. This certificate officially confirms the name change of your company.

Please note, if the request to change your company name is declined, the filing fee is non-refundable.

Naming Guidelines for Hong Kong Companies

Language and Format: Options include English only, Chinese only, or both. Mixing English and Chinese in one name is not permitted.

Terminology: English names must end with “Limited”; Chinese names must end with “有限公司.”

Character Usage: Chinese names should consist of traditional Chinese characters (繁體字) found in the Kang Xi Dictionary (康熙字典) or Ci Hai Dictionary (辭海). In addition, it must align with the ISO 10646 international coding standard. Note that Simplified Chinese characters are not accepted yet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What happens if the new company name is similar to an existing one?

A: The Companies Registry may reject the application to avoid confusion. You can conduct a company name search free of charge in the CR database beforehand, to check its availability.

More details can be found here.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the 15-day reporting rule?

A: Generally, no exceptions. Timely reporting is crucial for compliance.

HKWJ Can Help with your Company Name Change

Updating company information in Hong Kong is a straightforward process but requires attention to detail and adherence to regulations.

For those seeking assistance, our company secretarial services offer support in managing these administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

Our team of seasoned professionals not only assists in drafting and filing the necessary documents but also provides bespoke advice to align the new company name with your brand’s evolving identity and vision.

Beyond the basics of form submissions and legal compliance, we understand that a company name change is part of your broader business strategy and setup which may require careful tax planning.

It’s an opportunity to rejuvenate your brand, align with new market trends, and signal a fresh direction to your clients and stakeholders. Our experts are here to ensure that this transition is not just compliant, but also strategic and impactful.

Contact us through the form below for more information about our services.