Change a Company's Registered Name

A rebranding that must remain legally flawless

Change a Company's Registered Name

We are J. Jordens, and changing a company's registered name is a step we regularly support, whether for a commercial rebranding, a merger, or simply an evolution of the company's image. Here is how to proceed correctly, without overlooking the legal aspects involved.

Registered name and trade name: two different concepts

It is important to distinguish the registered name, which is your company's official legal name recorded in the articles of association, from the trade name or brand, which is the name used in your business communications. A company can perfectly well operate under a trade name different from its registered name, but a change of registered name follows a precise legal procedure.

The statutory amendment procedure

• Checking the availability of the new name, to avoid any conflict with a name already in use or an existing registered trademark.
• Decision of the extraordinary general meeting, according to the majority rules provided in your articles of association.
• Amending the founding deed, with a notary appointment if your situation requires it.
• Publication in the Belgian Official Gazette and official update.

Checking the availability of the new name

Before any decision, we systematically recommend checking that the proposed new name is not already used by another active company, and that it does not conflict with an existing registered trademark. A poorly prepared name change on this point can expose your company to costly legal disputes, well after the change has been published.

The impact on your ongoing contracts and documents

A change of registered name has concrete repercussions beyond the legal formalities alone: your ongoing contracts, your professional bank account, your insurance policies, your website and your communication materials must all be updated to reflect the new name. We draw up a complete checklist with our clients so no important document retains the old name by oversight.

The special case of a change linked to a registered trademark

If your name change is accompanied by the filing of a new trademark, we recommend coordinating the two steps in time, in order to avoid a period during which your new registered name would benefit from no trademark protection, or conversely a period where a trademark would be filed without a formalized link to the company operating under it.

Our support for a flawless change

Since 1948, our firm has handled all statutory amendments, including registered name changes, whether part of an overall rebranding strategy or a simple name evolution. We handle drafting the deeds, publication and updating the file, alerting you to the points of vigilance specific to your situation.

Informing your clients and partners in advance

Beyond the legal formalities, we recommend preparing clear communication to your clients and partners before the change takes effect, to avoid any confusion about your company's identity, particularly if your new name differs significantly from the old one.

This anticipation also avoids misunderstandings with suppliers accustomed to invoicing under your former name, a practical detail that can nonetheless cause payment delays if overlooked.

Are you considering changing your company's registered name in Brussels? Contact us for complete, secure support with this process. We remain available to assess with you the timeline best suited between the internal decision, the legal formalities and communication to your usual partners. This anticipation considerably limits the risk of commercial confusion during the transition period between the old and new name. Every name change marks a new stage in your company's story, and we make sure this stage is as legally flawless as it is commercially successful.