Change company name
Verified 05 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The company can be identified by the company name, the trade name and the trade name. In the course of its existence, the company may modify any of these elements. To do this, certain formalities must be completed.
It is necessary to distinguish the company name, the trade name and the brand name which are 3 distinct concepts.
Company name / Company name
The company name is the name of the company that identifies it as a separate legal entity from its members.
The company name is mandatory, it must appear in the statutes of the business followed by its legal form (SARL, SAS, SA, etc.).
If the company is a civil business, then it's called a corporate name.
The company name is freely chosen by associates, it can include letters and numbers, or even some special characters. It can be fanciful, in connection with the activity carried out or can simply take the name of a partner.
If you decide to use your own name as a company name, the business can continue to use it even after you leave.
The company name is protected as soon as it is registered in the Trade and business Register (RCS).
Warning
As part of a - (micro-entrepreneur, individual entrepreneur, EIRL: titleContent), the legal identity of the company is inseparable from the identity of the entrepreneur. Thus, the denomination corresponds to its last name (which can be accompanied by his first name). For an individual contractor, the name must be preceded or followed by the mention individual contractor or IS.
Trade Name
The trade name is the name used publicly by the company to operate its business or activity.
In other words, the trade name is usage name which helps to identify the company in the context of its commercial relations with its suppliers, partners and customers. It is therefore included in most documents published by the company (contracts, invoices, advertisements).
The trade name is optional and may take the name of the company.
It is protected solely by virtue of its use.
Commercial sign
THEcommercial sign makes it possible to identify territorially the premises that operate the business, it designates a particular company establishment.
It may be an inscription, emblem, logo or any other symbol usually displayed on the front of the point of sale. The sign may refer to the business name, the name of the operator or even the name of the street where the establishment is located.
The commercial sign is optional but contributes to the company's brand image.
Before carrying out any modification procedure, it is imperative to check availability the name chosen, i.e. make sure that it is not already used by a company with an activity similar to yours or similar to yours.
If your new name may cause confusion with a competitor, they may take you to court for unfair competition and claim payment of damages.
To check the availability of the name, it is possible to consult the site free of charge Directory of companies. This database gives you access to all the information of a company (names, Siren, address, etc.).
Company Directory: Find all the information in a company
It is also advisable to carry out a search for anteriority on the website of theInpi to verify that the name envisaged does not benefit from any protection (trademark registration).
The formalities vary depending on the element impacted by the change.
Company name
The change of company name implies a amendment of the statutes by the members assembled in accordance with the procedure laid down by law or by-laws.
Please note
When the business has only one partner (EURL or SASU), it is up to him to decide to change the name.
The change notice must then be published in a support for legal announcements by mentioning the old and the new name of the company.
Finally, the change of company name must be declared on the website of the company formalities window, within 1 month.
Automatic insertion at Bodacc (Official Bulletin of Civil and Commercial Advertisements) will make the change of the company name enforceable against third parties.
When you file your return, you must supporting documents following:
- Copy of the updated statutes, dated and certified as true to the original by the legal representative
- Certificate of publication of the notice in a support for legal announcements
FYI
A change in the name of the company does not in itself entail a change in the beneficial ownership. However, a new declaration of beneficial ownership (DBE) shall be deposited in the company Formalities Window if, at the same time, the identity, personal address, share capital or control exercised by one of the beneficial owners has changed.
On the Window of company formalitiesHowever, the question of a change in beneficial ownership is now always raised in the course of the formality. If there is no change, then simply check “ The situation has not changed ” to validate the sending of the formality.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in severe penalties, such as the removal from the business.
Trade Name
The decision of the partners to change the trade name shall take the form of a report, but does not imply an amendment of the statutes.
Please note
When the business has only one partner (EURL or SASU), the decision to change the trade name rests with the partner.
The publication of a notice in a support for legal announcements is optional.
On the other hand, the trade name is one of the characteristics of the company. It is therefore necessary to declare the change of trade name on the website of the company formalities window, within 1 month.
Automatic insertion in the Bodacc (Official Bulletin of Civil and Commercial Advertisements) will make the modification of the commercial name enforceable against third parties.
Please note
A change in the trade name does not in itself lead to a change in beneficial ownership. However, a new declaration of beneficial ownership (DBE) shall be deposited in the company Formalities Window if, at the same time, the identity, personal address, share capital or control exercised by one of the beneficial owners has changed.
On the Window of company formalitiesHowever, the question of a change in beneficial ownership is now always raised in the course of the formality. If there is no change, then simply check “ The situation has not changed ” to validate the sending of the formality.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in severe penalties, such as the removal from the business.
Commercial sign
The decision of the partners to change the commercial sign takes the form of a report but does not imply an amendment of the articles of association.
Please note
When the business has only one partner (EURL or SASU), it is up to him to decide to change the commercial brand.
The publication of a notice in a support for legal announcements is optional.
On the other hand, the commercial sign is one of the company's characteristics. It is therefore necessary to declare the change of commercial sign on the website of the company formalities window, within 1 month.
Automatic insertion at Bodacc (Official Bulletin of Civil and Commercial Advertisements) will make the modification of the commercial sign enforceable against third parties.
Please note
A change of brand does not, in itself, lead to a change in the beneficial ownership. However, a new declaration of beneficial ownership (DBE) shall be deposited in the company Formalities Window if, at the same time, the identity, personal address, share capital or control exercised by one of the beneficial owners has changed.
On the Window of company formalitiesHowever, the question of a change in beneficial ownership is now always raised in the course of the formality. If there is no change, then simply check “ The situation has not changed ” to validate the sending of the formality.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in severe penalties, such as the removal from the business.
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