If your corporation needs a fresh identity—whether for rebranding, resolving a name similarity issue, expanding into new markets, or aligning with a strategic shift—changing its corporate name in the Philippines is done by amending the Articles of Incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The good news is that the process can now be started and largely completed online through the SEC’s eAMEND portal, making it more accessible than in previous years. This guide explains exactly how to do it under the current rules, what documents and approvals you need, realistic timelines, common hurdles ordinary business owners face, and what to do after you receive approval.

Legal Basis for Amending the Articles of Incorporation

The primary law governing this process is the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 11232, enacted in 2019). Section 15 states that any provision in the Articles of Incorporation may be amended by a majority vote of the board of directors or trustees and the affirmative vote or written assent of stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock. For non-stock corporations, the requirement is a majority of the trustees and at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members.

Section 17 of the same Code governs corporate names. The SEC will not allow a name that is identical or deceptively or confusingly similar to an existing or reserved name, or one that is protected by law, patently deceptive, or contrary to public policy. Once approved, the amendment takes effect on the date of SEC approval (or automatically after six months from filing if the delay is not the corporation’s fault).

These rules apply to stock corporations, non-stock corporations, and One Person Corporations (OPCs), with slight procedural adjustments for OPCs.

Why Corporate Name Changes Matter in Practice

Your corporate name is more than a label—it appears on your SEC Certificate of Incorporation, General Information Sheet, BIR Certificate of Registration, business permits, bank accounts, contracts, invoices, and marketing materials. A name change does not create a new legal entity; your corporation retains the same rights, obligations, assets, liabilities, and Tax Identification Number. However, you must update records across agencies and counterparties to avoid confusion, rejected transactions, or compliance issues later.

Step-by-Step Process to Change Corporate Name Online

The SEC has streamlined amendments through the Electronic Application for Modification of Entity Data (eAMEND) portal at eamend.sec.gov.ph. Corporate name changes fall under Simple Processing per SEC Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2026.

1. Obtain Internal Corporate Approvals

Hold a board meeting (or circulate a written resolution for smaller boards) where a majority of directors approve the name change and authorize the filing of the amendment. Then secure stockholder approval representing at least 2/3 of the outstanding capital stock through a meeting or written assent.

Document everything clearly:

Board Resolution
Stockholders’ Resolution or written assents
Directors’/Trustees’ Certificate (notarized) signed by the corporate secretary and a majority of directors, stating the exact amendment, the votes obtained, and that there are no intra-corporate disputes or pending cases that would affect the filing

For a One Person Corporation, the single stockholder simply issues a written resolution—no meetings required.

Practical tip: Schedule these approvals early. Many corporations underestimate the time needed to achieve quorum or gather written consents, especially when some stockholders live abroad.

2. Verify and Reserve Your New Corporate Name

Before preparing documents, check name availability and reserve your proposed name through the SEC’s online name reservation system (accessible via eSPARC, eFAST, or the SEC CRS portal on the main SEC website).

Search thoroughly—similarity is judged broadly (punctuation, “Inc.” vs “Corporation,” spacing, and word order all count).
The reservation is typically valid for 30 days and extendable.
Pay the reservation fee (currently around ₱100 per 30-day period).
Download and keep the Name Reservation Slip or confirmation.

Important: Your new name must indicate corporate character (e.g., “Inc.,” “Corporation,” “Corp.,” or equivalent) and comply with all SEC name guidelines. Restricted words (such as “bank,” “insurance,” or terms implying government affiliation) require prior clearance from the appropriate agency.

3. Prepare the Required Documents

You will need:

Amended Articles of Incorporation — Revise only Article I (Corporate Name). Include a clear amending clause such as: “THAT Article I of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows: [new name].” Underscore or highlight the changed portion. Submit in PDF format following SEC specifications (usually high-resolution scan or clean digital file, under size limits).
Directors’/Trustees’ Certificate — Notarized certification of the amendment and required votes.
Name Reservation Slip or confirmation.
System-generated Cover Sheet and Amendment Form (created inside the eAMEND portal).
Monitoring Clearance from the SEC’s Company Registration and Monitoring Division (CRMD) or an Affidavit of Undertaking if your corporation has no pending compliance issues. Many practitioners recommend securing clearance first to avoid later rejection.
Any required endorsements if your corporation operates in a regulated industry.

Keep both a clean version and a version showing the changes for your records.

4. File the Application Through the eAMEND Portal

Create or log in to an eSECURE account at esecure.sec.gov.ph (choose the appropriate residency type).
Go to eamend.sec.gov.ph and log in with your eSECURE credentials.
Select the application type: Amendment of Articles of Incorporation – Change of Corporate Name (Simple Processing).
Complete the online form, upload the required PDFs, and submit.
Note your reference or tracking number.

The portal handles acceptance, initial review, and payment assessment.

5. Pay the Assessed Fees

Pay the filing fee (approximately ₱2,000 for a standard name-change amendment under recent schedules), Legal Research Fund (usually 1% of the filing fee), and any other assessed amounts through the portal’s accredited channels (e.g., LandBank, GCash, or other partners). Name reservation fees are paid separately during Step 2.

Fees are subject to updates—always confirm the exact amount shown in your eAMEND assessment and check the latest SEC fee circulars (such as updates under MC No. 9, s. 2026).

6. SEC Processing and Digital Approval

For straightforward Simple Processing applications with complete documents, the SEC typically issues a digital Certificate of Filing of Amendment (or Amended Certificate of Incorporation) within 3 to 10 working days. You can download it from the portal. The amendment becomes effective on the approval date.

7. Submit Hard Copies Within the Required Window

Even after digital approval, you must still submit two (2) complete sets of hard copies of all amendment documents together with proof of payment to the SEC within 15 calendar days from the issuance of the digital certificate (per MC No. 3, s. 2026).

Missing this deadline triggers penalties: ₱50,000 if submitted late but within 45 days; after 45 days the approval is cancelled and fees are forfeited. Plan for courier or personal delivery immediately after receiving digital approval.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Many corporations encounter delays because of these issues:

Name rejection — The proposed name is too similar to an existing one or uses restricted words. Solution: Perform multiple searches and consider slight variations or a completely distinctive name.
Compliance blocks — Unfiled GIS, AFS, or unpaid penalties. Solution: Request monitoring clearance early and clear all obligations before filing.
Incomplete or incorrect documentation — Missing notarization, failure to underscore changes, or improper vote certification. Solution: Use consistent templates and have a second person review before upload.
Reservation expiry — The name reservation lapses before filing. Solution: File promptly or extend the reservation.
Hard-copy deadline miss — Forgetting the 15-day physical submission requirement after going digital. Solution: Treat the hard-copy step as non-negotiable and prepare the sets in advance.
Managing from abroad — Foreign directors or stockholders. Solution: Use a properly apostilled Special Power of Attorney for representatives and leverage remote communication options now allowed under the Revised Corporation Code for meetings when properly documented.

Post-Approval Updates You Must Complete

Receiving the amended certificate is only the first milestone. You still need to:

BIR — File BIR Form 1905 (Application for Registration Information Update) at your Revenue District Office or through ORUS if your account is active. Submit the Amended Certificate of Incorporation and board resolution. You may request temporary use of old invoices/receipts with a letter from the corporate secretary.
SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG — Submit employer data change forms together with the Amended Certificate (usually in person or through their respective employer portals).
Local Government Unit — Update your business permit/mayor’s permit if the name change affects it.
Banks and other institutions — Notify your banks, update signatories and account names, and provide the new SEC documents.
Contracts and operations — Review and update or notify counterparties in major contracts. Update your website, signage, marketing materials, and official correspondence.

Most corporations complete these updates within 2–6 weeks after SEC approval. Prioritize BIR and banks to avoid payment or transaction issues.

Required Documents, Fees, and Typical Timelines

Core Documents for eAMEND Simple Processing (Name Change)

System-generated Cover Sheet and Amendment Form
Amended Articles of Incorporation (PDF with underscored changes)
Notarized Directors’/Trustees’ Certificate
Name Reservation Slip/Confirmation
Monitoring Clearance or Affidavit of Undertaking
Proof of payment (submitted with hard copies)

Approximate Fees (as of recent 2025–2026 schedules; confirm in portal)

Name reservation: ₱100 per 30-day period
SEC filing fee for amendment: ≈ ₱2,000 + Legal Research Fund (≈ ₱20)
Notarial fees: ₱200–₱500 (variable)
Hard copy preparation/courier: ₱150–₱500
Total typical SEC-related cost for a straightforward case: under ₱5,000 (excluding professional fees if you engage help)

Realistic Timelines

Internal approvals and document preparation: 1–3 weeks
Name reservation + eAMEND filing to digital certificate: 3–10 working days
Hard copy submission window: 15 calendar days after digital approval
BIR and other agency updates: 2–6 weeks
Full end-to-end process for most small and medium corporations: 4–10 weeks

Complex cases (regulated industries, compliance issues, or incomplete submissions) take longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my corporate name completely online?
Yes, you can initiate, submit documents, pay, and receive digital approval through the eAMEND portal. However, you must still deliver two sets of hard copies to the SEC within 15 calendar days after digital approval.

How much does it really cost to change a corporate name?
Expect ₱2,000–₱3,000 in SEC filing and related fees plus name reservation and notarial costs for a standard case. Total out-of-pocket for the SEC portion is usually modest, but budget extra for professional assistance if your situation is complicated.

Do I need 100% stockholder approval?
No. A vote or written assent representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock is sufficient under Section 15 of the Revised Corporation Code.

What happens to my existing contracts and licenses after the name change?
Your corporation remains the same legal entity. Contracts generally remain valid, but you should notify counterparties and update bank accounts, permits, and official records to prevent practical problems.

Is the process different for a One Person Corporation?
It is simpler. The single stockholder issues a written resolution instead of holding board and stockholder meetings. All other steps (name reservation, document preparation, eAMEND filing) remain essentially the same.

What if my preferred name is already taken?
Perform a thorough search first. If it is too similar, the SEC will reject it. Consider creative but still distinctive alternatives or add descriptive words that make it clearly different.

Do I need to publish a newspaper announcement?
For a standard name change amendment under current Simple Processing rules, newspaper publication is not generally required.

How soon after SEC approval should I update the BIR?
As soon as possible—ideally within days or weeks. Delays can complicate invoicing, tax filings, and audits. Many corporations request temporary authority to use old documents while processing the update.

Key Takeaways

Corporate name changes are accomplished by amending Article I of the Articles of Incorporation under Section 15 of the Revised Corporation Code.
The process is now handled primarily through the SEC’s eAMEND online portal under Simple Processing rules, but hard copies must still be submitted within 15 calendar days of digital approval.
Strong internal documentation of board and stockholder approvals, a compliant and available new name, and clean compliance records are the foundations of a smooth filing.
After SEC approval, promptly update the BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, banks, and other stakeholders—your corporation’s legal identity stays the same, but operational records must reflect the new name.
Most straightforward cases for compliant corporations can be completed within 4–10 weeks when documents are prepared correctly from the start.
Always verify the latest requirements, fees, and portal instructions directly on eamend.sec.gov.ph and sec.gov.ph, as procedures and schedules continue to be refined for ease of doing business.

By following these steps methodically and staying on top of both the digital and physical submission requirements, you can successfully update your corporation’s name with minimal disruption to your operations.