The stability of second order time-varying constrained notch filters (TVCNF) which are capable of rejecting a sine signal with time-varying frequency is analysed. Two cases are considered: TVCNF1, where one of the two coefficients of the filter is allowed to vary with time while the value of the second coefficient is kept constant; TVCNF2, where both the coefficients can vary with time. It is shown that TVCNF2 is always asymptotically stable while the TVCNF1 possesses unstable regions. Thus for tracking a sine signal with timevarying frequency, TVCNF2 is preferable to TVCNF2. © 1990, The Institution of Electrical Engineers. All rights reserved.