How Does Companies House Restrict Sensitive Words in Corporate Name Changes?

Companies House restricts sensitive words in corporate name changes by requiring prior approval from a relevant government body or regulator. Applicants submit supporting evidence with the filing. The Registrar rejects the new name when approval is missing. Words such as “Royal,” “Bank,” and “Chartered” trigger this control.

Sensitive word controls apply to every UK limited company, whatever the nationality or residence of its directors. They apply at incorporation and again at every later name change.

What Counts as a Sensitive Word Under UK Company Name Rules?

A sensitive word is a term that implies government connection, official status, professional regulation, or national pre-eminence. The Companies Act 2006 and the 2014 Sensitive Words Regulations place these terms under Secretary of State control. Companies must obtain written approval before registering them in a name.

Parliament created these controls to protect the public from misleading claims. A company called “Royal Dental Bank Limited” implies royal patronage, clinical regulation, and banking authority. None of those exists without official recognition.

Companies House publishes a guidance list of sensitive words and expressions on GOV.UK. The list covers single words, such as “Chartered,” and phrases, such as “Trading Standards.” Companies House checks every name against this list during a name change filing.

Which Words Trigger Companies House Restrictions?

Four word categories trigger restrictions: royal and government terms, financial terms, professional terms, and prestige terms. Examples include “Royal,” “Bank,” “Solicitor,” and “British.” Each category connects to a named approving authority that issues a written letter of non-objection.

Royal and government terms imply a link to the Crown or the state. “Royal,” “Prince,” “Ministry,” and “Police” belong here.

Financial terms imply regulated activity. “Bank,” “Building Society,” and “Insurance” belong to this group.

Professional terms imply a qualification or a licence. “Dentist,” “Pharmacy,” “Architect,” and “Solicitor” fall into this category.

Prestige terms imply national or international standing. “British,” “England,” “International,” and “National” belong here.

Sensitive words also trigger restrictions when they appear inside a longer word or phrase. Companies House reviews the full name as submitted.

Which Bodies Approve Sensitive Words in Company Names?

Approving bodies vary by word. The Prudential Regulation Authority covers “Bank.” The Home Office covers “Police.” The Office for Students covers “University.” The General Dental Council covers “Dentist.” The Charity Commission covers “Charity.” Each body issues its own written approval.

Companies House does not approve itself. The applicant contacts the approving body directly and explains the intended use of the word. The body assesses whether the company has a legitimate connection to that field.

The approving body then issues a letter or email confirming no objection. The applicant uploads this document with the name change filing. Companies House reads the letter and matches it to the sensitive word in the proposed name.

GOV.UK guidance lists the approving body for each sensitive word. Applicants confirm the correct body there before sending any request.

How Does the Sensitive Word Approval Process Work in a Name Change?

The process has five steps: choose the name, identify sensitive words, request approval, pass a special resolution, and file the change with Companies House. The name change takes legal effect on the date shown on the new Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name.

Step one is checking the proposed name against the Companies House name availability search. This search confirms the name is not identical to an existing registered name.

Step two is matching each word in the name against the sensitive words guidance. Step three is requesting written approval from the named authority.

Step four is the company’s decision to change its name. Most companies pass a special resolution, which requires a 75% majority of votes cast by members. Some articles of association allow other methods, such as a directors’ decision.

Step five is filing the change online with Companies House. The filing includes the resolution details and the approval letter. Companies House processes the filing in working days, which exclude weekends and bank holidays. Incomplete or incorrect documents extend processing time.

Directors who need support with filing and document preparation use the Non-Resident Company Name Change service to submit a complete application.

What Other Name Restrictions Apply Beyond Sensitive Words?

Companies House applies four further restrictions: names identical to existing registered names, offensive names, names suggesting criminal activity, and misleading names. Each restriction rests on the Companies Act 2006. The Registrar refuses a name change that breaches any of them.

The “same as” rule blocks a name that matches another company’s registered name. The comparison ignores punctuation, spacing, and the “Limited” or “Ltd” ending. “Blue Fern Ltd” and “Blue Fern Limited” count as the same name.

Section 53 of the Companies Act 2006 blocks offensive names and names implying criminal activity. The Registrar decides on both grounds.

Section 76 allows the Secretary of State to direct a company to change a name that gives a misleading impression of its activities. The direction applies within 12 months of the name taking effect.

Section 69 allows third parties to object to a name that matches an existing trading reputation. The Company Names Adjudicator hears these objections. The adjudicator orders a change when the objection succeeds.

Why Does Companies House Reject Name Change Applications?

Companies House rejects name change applications for four main reasons: missing approval letters, identical names, incomplete resolutions, and incorrect form data. Each rejection delays the new name. Applicants correct the error and resubmit the filing for a fresh review.

Missing approval letters cause the most sensitive word rejections. An applicant includes “Bank” in a name and omits the Prudential Regulation Authority letter. Companies House rejects the filing on that basis.

Identical names cause a second group of rejections. The name appeared available during planning, but another company registered it before filing. Running the name availability search immediately before submission removes this risk.

Incomplete resolutions cause a third group. A special resolution passed with less than 75% of votes cast is invalid. Companies House asks for evidence that the resolution met the threshold.

Incorrect form data causes the fourth group. A mismatch between the name on the resolution and the name on the filing triggers rejection. Matching every character across all documents prevents this.

Rejection returns the application with the stated reason. The company keeps its current name until the change is accepted.

How Do Non-UK Residents Complete a Restricted Name Change?

Non-UK residents complete a restricted name change through the same Companies House process as UK residents. Directors approve the change by resolution, collect the required approval letters, and file online. No UK residency or UK address is required for the filing itself.

Residence does not alter the sensitive word rules. A director in Faisalabad, Dubai, or Singapore follows the same steps as a director in London.

The practical challenge is document coordination across time zones. Approval bodies respond by email on working days. Resolutions need signatures or electronic confirmation from members in different countries.

After acceptance, the company updates its public-facing identity. Updating website footers, invoices, and digital assets after a rebrand covers the practical steps in updating website footers, invoices, and digital assets post-rebrand. UK law requires the new name to appear on business letters, invoices, and the company website.

Directors also update their bank, tax, and supplier records with the new name. Each institution requests a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name as proof.

What Is the Key Takeaway on Sensitive Words and Name Changes?

Companies House restricts sensitive words through mandatory approval from named authorities. Companies identify restricted words, obtain written approval, and file complete documents. Accurate filings reduce rejection risk and secure a legally effective new name.

Sensitive word controls protect the public from false claims of authority. Every restricted word maps to an approving body and a documented approval route.

Non-Resident UK Company Formation supports international directors with name change filings, resolution preparation, and document checks. Applicants who want to complete a compliant rebrand start with the company name change service page.