If you want to change company name Malaysia rules say you must follow clear steps with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). This guide is for Sdn Bhd owners and directors. In short, the company passes a special resolution, SSM confirms the new name is available, and the company secretary lodges the change under Section 28 of the Companies Act 2016.
A special resolution is a formal shareholder decision that needs a higher vote than a normal one. Your company constitution and the Companies Act 2016 set the exact vote. The new name is not yours until SSM approves it, so do not print new name cards or signboards early.
Key Takeaways
- The change is made under Section 28 of the Companies Act 2016 and needs a special resolution.
- You must first get SSM to confirm that the new name is available.
- SSM may reserve the name for 30 days from the date you lodge the name application. The Registrar may allow a longer period.
- Some words are restricted or controlled, for example Bank, Trust, University, Halal and Architect.
- According to SSM's guideline page, only the existing company secretary can lodge the change of name.
- After the name changes, update your bank, licences, contracts and other records.
How to Change Company Name in Malaysia: Step by Step
The table below shows the usual flow. Your company secretary will handle the SSM filing, but you should know what happens at each step.
| Step | What happens | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose names | Prepare two or three name options and check them against the SSM name rules below. | Directors |
| 2. Name availability | Ask SSM to confirm that the proposed name is available. SSM may reserve it for you. | Company secretary |
| 3. Special resolution | Members pass a special resolution to change the name. Keep the date, because the form asks for it. | Members and directors |
| 4. Lodge the change | Lodge the application for change of name under Section 28. The form asks for the company number, the name approval reference number and the new name. | Company secretary |
| 5. SSM notice | SSM issues a notice of change of name once the documents are complete. A certificate of change of name is issued on request. | SSM |
SSM's guideline page for change of a local company name says the notice is issued within one working day after you meet the procedure and submit complete documents. Timing and fees can change, so ask SSM or your company secretary for the current position.
Name Availability and the 30-Day Reservation
SSM must confirm that the proposed name is available before you can use it. SSM looks at Section 26 of the Companies Act 2016. A name can be refused if it is undesirable or unacceptable, if it is identical to an existing company or business entity, if it is identical to a name being reserved, or if the Minister has directed SSM not to accept it.
If SSM is satisfied, it may reserve the name for thirty days from the date of lodgement, or a longer period if the Registrar allows. A reservation alone does not give you the right to be registered with that name.
Worked example: if the name application is lodged on 11 November 2026, the 30 days run to 11 December 2026. Plan your special resolution and lodgement inside that window.
SSM Company Name Rules to Check Before You Choose
The SSM Guidelines on Company Names (30 October 2026) set the rules. These are the points SMEs meet most often.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Length | At least 3 characters (not counting symbols, numbers and spaces) and not more than 100 characters, not counting Sendirian Berhad, Berhad, Sdn. Bhd. or Bhd. |
| Symbols | Only five are allowed: &, full stop, hyphen, brackets and apostrophe. Brackets must be at the end. |
| Words not allowed | Company, Co and Syarikat are prohibited. Corporation, Corp, Incorporated and Inc are prohibited unless there is government interest and approval. |
| Restricted words | Words linked to the government, royalty or international bodies, and words such as Bank, Insurance, Trust, University and Prime, are restricted. |
| Controlled words | Words controlled by an agency, such as Halal or Architect, need consent from that agency. |
| Similar names | Names that look like agency or GLC short forms, such as SSM, LHDN or TNB, may be refused. |
| Personal names | Only directors named in the incorporation form can be used, unless you show proof of relationship. |
| Too general | A name that is only general words or only a place may be refused. |
When SSM checks if two names are identical, it ignores small differences such as "The", Sdn Bhd, plural forms, spacing and "&" versus "and". A name from a company that was struck off can be used again after 7 years. For a court or voluntary winding up, the period is 2 years.
If SSM refuses a name, the applicant can appeal to the Minister within 30 days of the Registrar's decision.
What to Update After the Name Changes
The company stays the same legal company. Only the name changes. Still, many records carry the old name. Tell the parties and agencies that hold it, for example your bank, tax and statutory accounts, licences and permits, customers, suppliers and landlord. Ask each licence authority what papers it needs, because the rule differs by authority. Also update your signboard, invoices, letterhead, website and email footers once the new name is effective.
Name Change Checklist
- Write down two or three name options and check them against the SSM name rules.
- Ask your company secretary to request name availability from SSM.
- Pass the special resolution and keep the signed copy and its date.
- Confirm with your company secretary that the Section 28 application is lodged within the reservation period.
- Update your bank, licences, contracts, signboard and invoices after SSM confirms the change.
Conclusion
Changing a company name is mostly a paper exercise, but the order matters: check the name, get SSM confirmation, pass the special resolution, then lodge. You can read more on how to make changes in company details in Malaysia, on the roles and responsibilities of a company secretary and on what a company constitution is and why it matters.
How Conzlab can help: Conzlab's company secretary team can help you check name options, prepare the special resolution and lodge the change with SSM. Contact Conzlab if you would like to go through your plan before you start.
Official Sources
- SSM: Guidelines on Company Names (30 October 2026)
- SSM: Guidelines for Change of a Local Company Name
- SSM: Application for Change of Name (Companies Act 2016, Section 28)
Last updated: 11 November 2026. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules can change, so check with the agency before you act.
Frequently Asked Questions
SSM's guideline page for change of a local company name says only the existing company secretary may lodge the application. Check with SSM if this has changed.
SSM may reserve the name for 30 days from the date of lodgement of the name application, or a longer period if the Registrar allows it.
No. Company, Co and Syarikat are prohibited. Corporation, Corp and similar words are prohibited unless there is government interest and approval.
You can choose another name, or the applicant can appeal to the Minister within 30 days of the Registrar's decision. The Minister's decision is final.
Change Company Name Malaysia: Steps and Rules for SMEs