Yes, you can change your CAC-registered business name in Nigeria. The Corporate Affairs Commission provides a clear process for it, and it applies to both business names and incorporated companies. The registration number stays the same. Only the name changes.
That said, the process is not as simple as just filling in a form. There are conditions that must be met first, documents to prepare, fees to pay, and steps to follow on the CAC portal. This article walks through all of it so you know exactly what you are getting into before you start.
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Why Business Owners Change Their CAC Name
People change their registered names for different reasons, and most of them are practical. Rebranding is the most common, especially for businesses that started with one focus and evolved into something broader. Others discover a naming conflict after registration. Some businesses are going through a merger or acquisition. A few simply registered the wrong name or made a typo that needs correcting.
Whatever the reason, the CAC process does not ask you to justify the change. It just requires that the process is followed correctly.
What You Must Sort Out Before Applying
Two things need to be in order before you can apply for a name change. Skip either of them and the application will not move forward.
Your Annual Returns Must Be Up to Date
CAC requires that a business’s annual returns are fully up to date before a name change application can be processed. Annual returns are the yearly statutory filing that confirms your business is still active. If you have missed a year or two, you need to file those returns first, along with any applicable late penalties.
Annual returns for a business name cost ₦5,000 per year. For a limited liability company, fees vary depending on share capital. Late filing penalties apply on top.
The New Name Must Be Available
You cannot change to a name that someone else has already registered. Before starting your application, search the CAC public portal to confirm the new name you want is available. The search is free.
Names that imply government affiliation, contain restricted words like “Federal,” “National,” or “Cooperative” without special approval, or infringe on existing trademarks will not pass the name availability check.
Documents Required
| Document | Applicable To |
|---|---|
| Completed Change of Business Name form | Business names and companies |
| Board resolution or minutes authorising the name change | Companies (passed as a special resolution) |
| Application letter to the Registrar-General signed by two directors | Companies |
| Current CAC Certificate | All entities |
| Proof that annual returns are up to date | All entities |
| Valid ID of proprietors or directors | All entities |
For a sole proprietorship or partnership registered as a business name, the documentation is simpler than for a limited liability company. Companies must pass a special resolution through a General Meeting before filing.
Step-by-Step Process for Changing a CAC Business Name
Step 1: Confirm Your Annual Returns Are Filed
Log in to the CAC e-portal and verify that your annual returns are current. If they are not, file them and pay the applicable fees before proceeding. Applications submitted with outstanding annual returns do not progress.
Step 2: Search for the New Name
Use the CAC Public Search portal to check whether your preferred new name is available. Check two or three alternatives in case your first choice is taken.
Step 3: Reserve the New Name on the CAC Portal
Once you confirm the name is available, reserve it on the portal. Name reservation for a change of name costs ₦750. When reserving, specify that the purpose is a change of name, not a new registration. This distinction matters in the system.
The reservation holds the name for a set period while you complete the rest of the process.
Step 4: Pass a Resolution (Companies Only)
If you are changing the name of a limited liability company, a special resolution must be passed at a General Meeting of the company authorising the name change. The minutes of this meeting or the formal board resolution document become part of your filing.
This step does not apply to sole proprietorships or partnerships registered as business names.
Step 5: Complete the Change of Business Name Form
Obtain the Change of Business Name form through the CAC post-incorporation portal. Fill it out accurately with the current registered details and the new name exactly as it was reserved in Step 3. Any mismatch between the reserved name and the form will flag the application.
Step 6: Upload Documents and Submit the Application
Log in to the CAC portal and navigate to the post-incorporation filing section. Upload all required documents including the completed form, resolution documents where applicable, and proof of current annual returns compliance. Review everything before submitting.
The filing fee for a notice of change of business name is ₦5,000 for business names. For companies, the fee for filing a notice of change of name is ₦10,000.
Step 7: Wait for CAC Review and Approval
CAC processes change of name applications within 3 to 14 working days, subject to the completeness of the application and overall portal workload. If there is a deficiency, you will receive a notification requesting additional documents or corrections. Respond promptly to avoid sitting in a correction queue for an extended period.
Step 8: Download the New Certificate
Once approved, a new Certificate of Registration is issued under the new business name. Your RC or BN number remains unchanged. Download and print the updated certificate from your portal account.
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Let our team handle your CAC registration and help you obtain your certificate without stress. From business name registration to company incorporation.
Summary of the Steps
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm and file outstanding annual returns |
| 2 | Search CAC portal to confirm new name is available |
| 3 | Reserve the new name on the portal (₦750) |
| 4 | Pass a special resolution (companies only) |
| 5 | Complete the Change of Business Name form |
| 6 | Upload documents and submit on the CAC portal |
| 7 | Wait for CAC approval (3–14 working days) |
| 8 | Download the new certificate from your portal account |
What Happens After the Name Is Changed
Getting the new certificate is not the end of the process. Several updates follow.
| Who to Notify | Why |
|---|---|
| Your bank | Corporate account details need to reflect the new name |
| FIRS / Tax authorities | TIN records should match the registered name |
| SCUML | If you hold a SCUML certificate, it should be updated |
| Clients and vendors | Contracts and invoices should carry the correct name |
| Regulatory bodies | Sector-specific licences may need updating |
| Your letterhead and website | Operational materials should carry the updated name |
Keep copies of all correspondence and the new certificate in a single place. Future compliance filings, contract bids, and regulatory checks will reference the new name, and having a clean paper trail avoids confusion.
Cost Summary
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (change of name) | ₦750 |
| Filing fee — business name change | ₦5,000 |
| Filing fee — company name change | ₦10,000 |
| Outstanding annual returns (if any) | ₦5,000 per year (business name) |
| Late penalty on annual returns (if overdue) | Varies |
These are the government fees only. If you engage a consultant or accredited CAC agent to handle the filing, their professional fees are separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my RC or BN number change when I change my business name?
No. Your registration number stays the same. The change of name process updates only the name on the register. Your existing registration number continues to identify the business entity.
Can I change my business name more than once?
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of times a business name can be changed, provided each change follows the correct process and all annual returns are up to date at the time of each application.
How long does CAC take to process a name change?
Processing typically takes between 3 and 14 working days, depending on whether all documents are correct and how busy the portal is at the time. Clean applications with no queries tend to come through faster.
Can I change my business name online without visiting a CAC office?
Yes. The entire process is handled through the CAC Intelligent Company Registration Portal online. Physical visits to CAC offices are not required for name changes. You download the updated certificate directly from your portal account once approval comes through.
What if my new name gets rejected?
If CAC rejects the new name, you will receive a notification with reasons. Common grounds include the name being too similar to an already-registered entity, containing restricted words, or failing name availability checks. You can reapply with a different name following the same process from Step 2.
Do I need a lawyer or agent to change my business name?
Not necessarily. The process is designed to be self-service through the online portal. However, if your annual returns are significantly overdue, your documentation situation is complicated, or you are changing the name of a company that requires a special resolution, working with a CAC accredited agent or legal professional can save time and reduce the chance of a rejection.
Conclusion: It Is Possible, But Prepare Before You Apply
Changing your CAC-registered business name is a straightforward process once you understand the sequence. The step that derails most applications is not the portal itself. It is arriving with outstanding annual returns that block the application from moving at all.
Get your returns current, confirm the new name is available, and then work through the portal process in order. The registration number stays with you, the old name is replaced, and the business continues without interruption.
Obtain Your CAC Certificate
Let our team handle your CAC registration and help you obtain your certificate without stress. From business name registration to company incorporation.
