Every Singapore company’s official identity is defined by three key details — its UEN (Unique Entity Number), registered name, and registered office address.

When any of these change, it’s not enough to update your website or business card — you must notify ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) promptly to keep your company’s legal and public records accurate.

Here’s a complete guide for SMEs on what can change, what cannot, and how to file updates properly to stay compliant.

1. What Is a UEN — and Can It Be Changed?

Your Unique Entity Number (UEN) is the company’s permanent identification number issued by ACRA at incorporation. It is used for all official dealings — from tax filing and banking to government grant applications.

Important:
Once assigned, your UEN cannot be changed or replaced, even if your company name, address, or business activity changes.

Your UEN remains the single point of reference for all transactions with government agencies such as IRAS, MOM, and EnterpriseSG.

2. Changing Your Company Name

If you wish to rebrand or rename your business, the process involves both approval and official filing.

Step 1: Check Name Availability

Search ACRA’s BizFile+ portal to confirm that your desired name:

• Is not identical or too similar to an existing registered entity
• Does not infringe trademarks or contain restricted words (e.g., “bank,” “university”)

If approved, ACRA will reserve your new name for 120 days.

Step 2: File for Name Change

Once ready, file the name change under “Change in Company Information – Change in Company Name” via BizFile+.

• A filing fee of S$15 applies.
• The name change usually takes 1–3 working days for approval.

Step 3: Update All Official Records

After approval, update:

• Invoices, contracts, letterheads, and websites
• Bank accounts and supplier registrations
• IRAS, MOM, and other government systems
• Digital platforms (e.g., CPF, SkillsFuture, SingPass Business)

Your company’s UEN remains unchanged — only the entity name updates in ACRA’s database.

3. Changing Your Registered Office Address

Every Singapore company must maintain a registered office address where official communications can be received.

When moving offices or switching to a virtual office provider, you must:

1. File the new address with ACRA within 14 days of the change.
2. Ensure the new address is in Singapore and accessible to the public during office hours.

You can update your address via BizFile+ under “Change in Company Information – Change in Registered Office Address.”

No fee applies for this filing, and updates are typically reflected immediately.

💡 Tip: Keep proof of tenancy (e.g., lease agreement or consent letter from property owner) in your corporate records. ACRA may request documentation for verification.

4. Changes in Contact Details or Business Activity

Apart from address or name changes, companies must also ensure these are current on BizFile+:

• Email and phone number
• Principal business activity (SSIC code)

Though these seem minor, outdated records can cause issues when:

• Receiving government correspondence
• Applying for financing or tenders
• Filing taxes or compliance documents

Regular updates keep your company profile accurate and trusted.

5. Common Mistakes SMEs Make

• Using the new name or address before ACRA approval
• Forgetting to update other agencies (IRAS, CPF, MOM)
• Not updating contracts or licenses, causing administrative mismatches
• Overlooking letterhead and invoice details, which must match ACRA records
• Missing the 14-day filing window after changes take effect

These small oversights can lead to unnecessary penalties or credibility issues during audits or loan applications.

6. How ccMonet Simplifies ACRA Compliance

Handling name and address updates manually across multiple systems can be tedious — especially when documents and approvals are scattered across teams.

With ccMonet, SMEs can:

• Keep all corporate records — including company name, address, and directors — in one secure system.
• Automatically sync financial data with registered details to ensure consistency.
• Receive compliance reminders for ACRA filing deadlines.
• Store resolutions, proof of address, and official filings in organized, searchable folders.

By automating bookkeeping and compliance workflows, ccMonet helps SMEs stay compliant effortlessly — from incorporation through every business change.

7. Key Takeaways

• Your UEN is permanent — it never changes.
• Company name changes require ACRA approval and a S$15 filing fee.
• Address and contact changes must be filed within 14 days.
• Always update your business records with other government agencies after ACRA updates.
• Use digital compliance tools like ccMonet to keep filings accurate, organized, and on time.

Conclusion

Singapore’s business regulations are designed to maintain transparency — but for busy SME owners, keeping up with every filing can be challenging.

By understanding ACRA’s update requirements — and using smart tools to manage them — you can keep your company fully compliant without administrative stress.

👉 Stay organized and compliant with ccMonet — your all-in-one platform for AI bookkeeping and corporate governance management.

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