Changing your society's name
How to request a change, and what is required
An incorporated society can apply to the Registrar to change its name. Before deciding on a new name, be sure that you can use it.
How to change your society’s name on the register
To change your society's name online, you must have:
- a RealMe® login
- an online account with us, and
- authority to manage information on the register for your society.
Step by step
- Log in.
- On the dashboard, select your incorporated society from ‘My Businesses’.
- On the 'View Details' page, select 'Name Change’.
- Enter the proposed name. You can use the ‘Name availability check’ button to ensure the new name is available.
- Include any documents to support your change of name.
For example, If another organisation has given its consent to use the name, upload their written consent as a supporting document. - Complete the signatory details and select ‘Submit’.
What happens next
We will review your application, and this may take up to 3 working days. When we register the change, we will send you an email confirming that the name change has been registered. We will also send you an updated Certificate of Incorporation.
The new name takes effect from the date we issue the updated certificate.
A name change does not affect the rights or liabilities of the incorporated society, and does not affect legal proceedings by, or against, the society. Legal proceedings taken against the society under its former name may be continued against it under its new name.
Other guides in
Keeping society details up to date
- Confirming your authority to manage information
- Updating your society's contact details on the register
- Updating officer details on the register
- Changing your society's constitution
- Updating your balance date on the register
- Requesting a correction to the register
- Withholding personal information in the register
- How societies amalgamate