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Procedures for Registering a Name Change of a Joint Stock Company

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Short answer: A joint stock company may register a change of enterprise name at any time under a decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders. The procedure: (1) the General Meeting of Shareholders adopts the renaming and amends the charter; (2) search the new name (no duplication, no confusion); (3) notify the change to the Business Registration Office; (4) receive the Enterprise Registration Certificate bearing the new name within 03 working days. After renaming, the company inherits all rights and obligations; the enterprise code remains unchanged. Legal basis: Articles 37–39 of the Law on Enterprises 2020 (as amended by Law No. 76/2025/QH15); Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP.

Legal basis

  • The Law on Enterprises 2020, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 76/2025/QH15 — Article 37 (enterprise names), Article 38 (prohibitions), Article 39 (duplicated or confusing names); provisions on registering a name change;
  • Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration.

Conditions for the new name

  • Comprises two elements: “joint stock company”/”JSC” + proper name;
  • No duplication and no confusion with registered enterprise names;
  • No violation of prohibitions (state agency or political organization names without approval; words offending fine customs…);
  • Search in advance on the National Portal for Enterprise Registration; also search trademarks to avoid conflicts.

Procedures for registering a name change

Step 1. The General Meeting of Shareholders adopts

Adopts: the company’s new name; amendments to the charter regarding the company name; the post-renaming update plan.

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Step 2. Prepare the dossier

  • A notice of change of enterprise name in the prescribed form;
  • The resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders on the renaming;
  • The amended charter.

Step 3. Submit the dossier and receive the result

Submit to the Business Registration Office; the time limit is 03 working days; receive the Enterprise Registration Certificate bearing the new name.

Step 4. Post-renaming updates

  • Seal: make a new seal under the new name; destroy the old seal;
  • E-invoices, digital signatures: update the new name;
  • Bank account: notify the renaming;
  • Sectoral licenses: adjust the name (if any);
  • Shares, shareholder register: update the company name;
  • Signboard, website, publications: update in sync; notify partners and shareholders.

Legal effect after renaming

  • The company inherits all rights and obligations — no re-signing of contracts;
  • The enterprise code and tax code remain unchanged;
  • Shareholders’ rights are unchanged; the shareholder register is updated with the new name.

Frequently asked questions

Does renaming affect issued shares?

It does not affect ownership rights; however, the company should update the new name on share certificates and the shareholder register for consistency.

Must a public company disclose a renaming?

Yes — a public company must fulfill its information disclosure obligation regarding the name change under securities law.

Is there a limit on how many times a company may rename?

The law sets no limit; however, repeated renaming incurs update costs and affects reputation and brand.

Notes on applying current regulations

Renaming a joint stock company (especially a public company) entails many update and disclosure obligations. Prepare a checklist and implement it consistently to avoid transaction disruptions. Contact an ANT Legal lawyer at 0966.475.966 for advice.

Common risks to note

  • The new name duplicates/causes confusion — the dossier is refused;
  • Conflict with a protected trademark;
  • Failure to update seals, invoices, and accounts in sync;
  • A public company failing to disclose information.

How ANT Legal can help

ANT Legal advises on naming, searches for duplicated names and trademarks; carries out the renaming registration procedure for joint stock companies; advises on post-renaming updates and information disclosure. For prompt advice, please contact a lawyer at 0966.475.966.

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