Form NN10 Alteration of Corporate Name Hong Kong
Steps for filing Form NN10 to alter the corporate name of a registered non-Hong Kong company with the Companies Registry.
NN10 at a glance
- Official title
- Return of Alteration of Corporate Name
- Issued by
- Companies Registry
We link the issuing authority's own index rather than hosting a copy, because the form is revised there and an out-of-date copy is worse than none.
Form NN10 Alteration of Corporate Name Hong Kong
A registered non-Hong Kong company must notify the Hong Kong Companies Registry using Form NN10 alteration of corporate name Hong Kong after changing its corporate name in its place of incorporation. This is the prescribed notification under Part 16 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) for a non-Hong Kong company that has already registered a change of name with its home registry. The filing aligns the Hong Kong public record with the company's current legal name.
Non-Hong Kong Company Name Change Form NN10
Form NN10 reports a name change by a registered non-Hong Kong company. It captures the company's former name as registered in Hong Kong, its new corporate name, and the date the alteration took effect in the place of incorporation. The company must also provide its Hong Kong registration number and the address of its registered office in Hong Kong.
The form is filed under section 662 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). A separate form is required for each name change event. The Companies Registry does not accept a single form covering multiple alterations.
Companies Registry Corporate Name Alteration
The Companies Registry maintains a public register of all registered non-Hong Kong companies. When a company alters its corporate name, the Registry updates the register to reflect the new name. The alteration is effective in Hong Kong only from the date the Registry registers the change, not from the date the company changed its name overseas.
The Registry will issue a new Certificate of Registration of a Non-Hong Kong Company showing the altered name. Display this certificate at its Hong Kong registered office alongside the original certificate.
Change Corporate Name Hong Kong
A registered non-Hong Kong company cannot change its name directly under Hong Kong law. The name change must occur first in the company's place of incorporation. Once the home jurisdiction approves the alteration, the company files Form NN10 to notify the Hong Kong Companies Registry.
The company must ensure the new name complies with Hong Kong's naming requirements. The Registrar may refuse to register a name that is undesirable, misleading, or too similar to an existing name on the Hong Kong register. If the Registrar objects, the company must provide a different name or seek the Registrar's consent.
Return of Alteration of Corporate Name
Form NN10 serves as the return of alteration of corporate name. The company must deliver the form to the Companies Registry within the time limit prescribed by the Ordinance. The return date is calculated from the date the alteration took effect in the place of incorporation.
The form requires the following supporting documents:
- A certified true copy of the resolution or other instrument that effected the name change in the place of incorporation
- A certified true copy of the certificate of incorporation on change of name issued by the home registry
- A translation into English or Chinese if the documents are in another language
The certified true copy must be certified by a director, the company secretary, or an authorised representative of the company. The certification must state that the copy is a true copy of the original.
Filing Requirements and Procedure
The company must complete Form NN10 in English or Chinese. The form is available for download from the Companies Registry specified forms index. The company may file the form electronically through the e-Services portal or by paper submission to the Registry's office.
The filing fee for Form NN10 is HK$295 as of the verified reference date. This fee covers the registration of the alteration and the issue of the new certificate. The Registry does not refund the fee if it refuses to register the name.
Retain a copy of the filed form and the Registry's acknowledgement for your records. The acknowledgement confirms the date of registration and the company's new name on the public register.
Approval and Notification
The alteration of corporate name requires approval from the Registrar before it takes effect in Hong Kong. The Registrar examines the new name against the register of companies and the list of prohibited names. If the name is acceptable, the Registrar registers the alteration and issues the new certificate.
The company must notify the Inland Revenue Department of the name change separately. Update its Business Registration Certificate by filing the appropriate form with the . The company must also update its bank accounts, contracts, invoices, and other business documents to reflect the new name.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to file Form NN10 within the prescribed period is an offence under the Companies Ordinance. The company and every responsible officer may be liable to a fine. The Registrar may also refuse to register the alteration if the form is incomplete or the supporting documents are not properly certified.
Do not use the new name in Hong Kong until the Registry has registered the alteration. Using an unregistered name may expose the company to penalties and legal challenges from third parties who rely on the public register.
Practical Steps for Filing
- Obtain the certified true copy of the name change documents from the home jurisdiction
- Complete Form NN10 with the former and new names and the date of alteration
- Attach the certified supporting documents and any required translation
- Pay the filing fee of HK$295
- Submit the form through the e-Services portal or by paper
- Await the Registry's decision and the new certificate
- Update the Business Registration Certificate with the Inland Revenue Department
- Amend all business documents and records to show the new name
The Companies Registry provides guidance notes for completing Form NN10 on its website. Consult these notes before filing to ensure the form is correctly completed and the supporting documents meet the Registry's requirements.
How to fill out Form NN10
Page one of the official form. Every field named below appears on it in the same order.
Business Registration Number
Enter the first 8 digits of the Business Registration Certificate number issued by the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department. Do not include the digits after the hyphen. For companies registered on or after 27 December 2023, this number also appears as the “No.” on the Certificate of Registration of Non-Hong Kong Company issued by the Companies Registry.
1 Former Corporate Name
State the name of the company exactly as it appeared on the certificate of registration last issued by the Companies Registry. Do not guess the name; check the most recent certificate.
2 New Corporate Name
Enter the new corporate name. In addition to the new name, also state the name that will continue to be registered with the Companies Registry after the effective date of the alteration. Note that Division 4 of Part 16 of the Companies Ordinance regulates the names used by registered non-Hong Kong companies to carry on business in Hong Kong. Refer to the Companies Registry’s “Guideline on Registration of Corporate Names for Registered Non-Hong Kong Companies” for points to note.
3 Effective Date of the Alteration
Enter the date on which the alteration of corporate name took effect. This date must match the effective date shown on the document delivered under section 4 below. Use the DD/MM/YYYY format.
4 Name of Document Effecting the Alteration of Corporate Name Delivered with this Form
Deliver a document that proves the alteration and its effective date. This must be a certificate of change of name or an equivalent document issued by the relevant government authority in the company’s place of incorporation. If the document is not the original, deliver a certified copy. Certification must follow section 775 of the Companies Ordinance. If the document is in neither Chinese nor English, also deliver a certified Chinese or English translation (certified under section 4 of the Companies Ordinance). If the alteration relates to an additional translation of a domestic name, follow section 7(2) of Cap. 622J. If the alteration is a change of translation (addition, change or cessation of a translation) that is not due to a change in the domestic name, the required document is a special resolution stating the alteration and its effective date.
6 Signed
This form must be signed by a director, company secretary, manager or authorized representative. Delete the titles that do not apply. Enter the signatory’s name and the date of signing. The form will be rejected if not properly signed.
Download the current form - always file the version on the issuing authority's site, not a copy.
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