How to Change a Company’s Address and Legal Name: Required Procedures and Notifications

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What Is a Company Address and Trade Name Change?

A company address and trade name change refers to changes made to the information registered in the trade registry and carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation. An address change concerns the location of the company’s registered head office or workplace, while a trade name change refers to changing the official name the company uses in its commercial activities. Both procedures are important for keeping company records up to date, ensuring that official correspondence is conducted using accurate information, and maintaining uninterrupted business relationships. Relocating the company’s registered head office, changing the region in which it operates, or determining a new trade name that better reflects its commercial identity requires certain decisions to be made and the necessary notifications to be submitted to the relevant authorities.

Why Are Company Address and Trade Name Changes Made?

Companies may change their addresses and trade names to develop their operations, update their corporate structures, or adapt to their operational needs. The reasons for making these changes may directly affect the legal procedures to be followed and the documents that must be prepared.

Relocating the Company to a New Address

Moving to a larger office, relocating a production facility to a different region, or starting operations in a location that provides easier access to customers may make an address change necessary. In such cases, the company’s registered address must be updated, and the relevant registration procedures must be completed. The company’s physical relocation and the updating of its address in the trade registry should be considered separate processes.

Renewing the Corporate Identity

As a company grows, enters new markets, or changes its field of activity, its existing trade name may no longer adequately reflect its objectives. In such cases, determining a new trade name may become necessary. It is important that the new trade name complies with the applicable legislation and meets the requirements for registration.

Company Mergers or Organizational Changes

Company mergers, restructuring processes, and organizational changes between group companies may create a need to change the company’s address and trade name. However, transactions such as mergers and changes in company type may be subject to legal procedures that differ from those applicable to simple address or trade name updates. Therefore, it should be determined in advance whether the change involves merely updating information or constitutes a more comprehensive corporate restructuring process.

How Is a Company Address Change Carried Out?

The details of a company address change may vary depending on the company type and whether the new address falls within the jurisdiction of the existing trade registry directorate. In general, the process consists of determining the new address, adopting a company resolution, submitting an application through MERSİS, and completing the trade registry registration procedures.

Determining the New Company Address

At the first stage, the new address to which the company will relocate must be finalized. Address details, such as the building, street, exterior door number, and interior door number, must be accurate and consistent with official address records. In particular, when the company’s head office is relocated to another province, the trade registry directorate responsible for the new address and the applicable registration procedure must be assessed separately. Entering the address information correctly into the MERSİS system helps prevent discrepancies during the application process.

Adopting the Necessary Company Resolution

A resolution appropriate to the company’s legal structure must be adopted for the address change. For limited liability companies, this may involve a general assembly resolution or a resolution of the shareholders adopted in accordance with the relevant legislation. For joint-stock companies, a general assembly or board of directors resolution may be required, depending on the company’s articles of association and authorization structure. The key consideration is determining which corporate body is authorized to approve the address change in accordance with the company’s articles of association and the applicable legislation. In particular, it should be checked whether the provision concerning the address in the articles of association needs to be amended.

Submitting an Application Through MERSİS

Applications for company address changes can be initiated electronically through MERSİS. During the application process, the company’s registered information is checked, and the new address is entered into the system. When completing the application, it is important to ensure that the address recorded in MERSİS matches the address specified in the company resolution. Depending on the procedures of the relevant trade registry directorate, an appointment may need to be scheduled after the electronic application, and the documents may need to be submitted physically or through an accepted electronic method.

Completing the Trade Registry Registration Process

Following the MERSİS application, the required documents are submitted to the relevant trade registry directorate. The directorate reviews the application and supporting documents before proceeding with the registration. Upon registration of the address change, the company’s official records are updated. Publication of the change and verification of the records in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette are also important parts of the process. The application requirements and necessary documents may vary depending on the company type and the practices of the relevant directorate.

How Is a Company Trade Name Change Carried Out?

Since a company trade name change requires the company’s commercial identity to be redefined in official records, it is carried out by following a specific resolution and registration process. The main stages include determining the new trade name, adopting a company resolution, submitting an application through MERSİS, and completing the trade registry procedures.

Determining the New Trade Name

The first step in changing a trade name is to determine the new trade name the company wishes to use. The proposed name must comply with the company type, the nature of the commercial enterprise, and the legislative provisions governing trade names. Similarities that could cause confusion with existing trade names should also be checked. Searches conducted through MERSİS and the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette may help with the preliminary assessment of whether the new trade name is eligible for registration. However, conducting a search alone does not guarantee registration.

Adopting a Trade Name Change Resolution

Once the new trade name has been determined, a resolution appropriate to the company type must be adopted. In limited liability companies, a trade name change is carried out through a general assembly resolution as an amendment to the articles of association. In joint-stock companies, the general assembly resolution concerning the amendment of the articles of association and the provisions of the relevant legislation must also be taken into consideration. The resolution must be duly prepared, the required meeting and decision quorums must be met, and all documents to be used in the registration application must be prepared in full. Depending on the specific circumstances of the company, additional documents or approval requirements may apply.

Submitting a Trade Name Change Application Through MERSİS

The trade name change application is prepared through MERSİS. During the application process, the relevant amendment information is entered based on the company’s existing records, and a registration request is created. At this stage, the new trade name must be consistent with the wording in the company resolution and the information recorded in the system. The process then proceeds to the next stage by following the application reference number and the instructions provided by the relevant trade registry directorate.

Application to the Trade Registry and Registration

The resolution concerning the trade name change and all other required documents are submitted to the relevant trade registry directorate. Following the review of the documents, registration and publication procedures are carried out if the change is deemed appropriate. Once the trade name change has been completed, the company’s official documents, contracts, and business communication channels must be updated to reflect the new trade name. It should also be checked whether the change affects any special permit or licensing requirements applicable to the sector in which the company operates.

What Documents Are Required for a Company Address and Trade Name Change?

The documents required for address and trade name changes may vary depending on the company type, the scope of the change, and the trade registry directorate to which the application is submitted. Therefore, the relevant directorate’s current list of required documents should be reviewed before submitting an application.

Documents Required for an Address Change

• An application petition addressed to the trade registry directorate

• A resolution adopted by the authorized corporate body in accordance with the company’s legal structure

• A copy of the resolution or meeting minutes that meets the applicable formal requirements

• The MERSİS application reference number and relevant application details

• Additional documents supporting the new address or official correspondence relating to specific circumstances, where necessary

Documents Required for Change of Title

• An application petition to be submitted to the trade registry directorate

• The general assembly resolution concerning the trade name change or other resolution documents appropriate to the company type

• The amended articles of association, where required

• Application details generated through MERSİS

• Additional documents requested by the trade registry directorate, depending on the type of transaction

Conclusion

A company address and trade name change involves more than simply updating the business address or commercial name. The procedures must be initiated through the appropriate resolutions, the necessary documents must be prepared, the application must be submitted through MERSİS, and the trade registry registration process must be completed. Subsequently, it is important to review tax, Social Security Institution (SGK), banking, licensing, contractual, and electronic document records in accordance with the company’s field of activity. To ensure that the process proceeds smoothly, the procedures applicable to the company type must be followed, the current document and fee requirements of the relevant trade registry directorate must be checked, and all required notifications must be completed on time. This helps keep the company’s official records up to date and supports the uninterrupted continuation of its commercial activities.