Can you change your LLC name?
Absolutely! You can easily change your LLC name.
The first step is to file a form with the Secretary of State and wait for it to be approved. This is how you officially change your LLC name.
After the state approves your LLC name change, you should then notify the following 3 places:
- the IRS
- state tax department
- your business bank account
And finally, you can update your LLC name in other places like your website and marketing materials.
Our page will guide you through the process and include helpful tips along the way.
Note: We’ve changed the names of our own LLCs over the years. So we have first-hand experience with filing the paperwork as well as dealing with the IRS and financial institutions.
What are the steps for changing an LLC name?
- Check if your new LLC name is available
- File the Amendment form (and wait for approval)
- Update the IRS
- Update the state tax department
- Update financial institutions (credit card companies, banks)
- Update business licenses
- Update other places (branding materials, business accounts, etc.)
How do I change my LLC name?
In order to change your LLC name, you must file a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State. This officially updates the legal entity (the Limited Liability Company) on state records.
Note: The Secretary of State is responsible for LLC formation and administration, including name changes.
You can file the Amendment yourself or you can hire a company to do this for you. Because the Amendment filing can be confusing and time consuming, many people choose to hire a company for help.
Need to save time? We recommend hiring MyCompanyWorks ($99 + state fee) to file your LLC name change.
Step 1: Make sure your new LLC name is available
Before filing your Amendment, you’ll want to check that your new LLC name is available in your state.
This is important because two businesses in the state can’t have the same name, or be too similar. This is called LLC name distinguishability.
If you file an Amendment for a name that’s already taken, the state will reject your filing. And if that happens, you’ll need to re-file with a different name.
To avoid that, look up your desired LLC name ahead of time using the state’s business entity search.
Check name availability: Our LLC Name page has links to every state’s business entity search tool (and details about name rules).
Step 2: File the LLC Name Amendment form
What’s the form called?
Each state has its own form for changing a business name.
Most states call it the “Certificate of Amendment” or “Articles of Amendment” because you are amending your Articles of Organization.
Some states call it other things (like Amended Articles of Organization) or simply refer to Amendments.
Note: We use the terms Certificate of Amendment and Articles of Amendment interchangeably in this article.
How do I fill out the Certificate of Amendment form?
The Amendment forms usually ask for this basic information:
- Your LLC’s current name
- Your LLC’s date of organization (aka LLC effective date)
- The new name for your LLC
- The name and title of who’s signing the form
Filing Method
Some states let you file the Articles of Amendment online.
And some states require you to file the Articles of Amendment by mail instead.
LLC Name Change Instructions for All 50 States
Wait for approval
After submitting your Amendment to the state, wait for approval.
If you filed online, check your email for an approval confirmation.
If you filed by mail, you’ll get a stamped paper filing back in the mail.
Reminder: Changing your LLC name with the Secretary of State still leaves your old LLC name in place everywhere else. Essentially, you’ve only changed your LLC name with one part of the state government, and you need to update it everywhere else.
Step 3: Change your LLC name with the IRS
Once you receive back your approved Amendment from the Secretary of State, the next step is to update your LLC name with the Internal Revenue Service. This updates the name connected to your LLC’s EIN number.
We have step-by-step instructions here:
How to change LLC name with IRS
Step 4: Update your LLC’s Account with the State Department of Revenue
Once you receive back your approved Amendment from the Secretary of State, you need to update your business’s account with the state’s tax department.
Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. However, it might be called something different in your state.
Typically, you can update your LLC name in one of three ways:
- online
- by mail
- by phone
But it differs from state to state, so we recommend you call the state Department of Revenue or Taxation. You can ask about the process to update your business name.
Step 5: Update financial institutions with your new LLC name
Besides updating your LLC name with the IRS and state tax department, you’ll also want to contact the following places and let them know about the name change.
Financial institutions:
- LLC business bank account
- business checks
- business debit card
- business credit cards
- Paypal or other online banking solutions
- business loans or lines of credit
- brokerage accounts
- bookkeeping software, like Quickbooks
Pro Tip: You don’t have to rush to update these the same day or even the same week. Your existing checks and credit cards will still work, but it’s important to eventually get everything updated to your new LLC name.
Step 6: Update or Get a New Business License
If you have a state business license or a local business permit, you’ll need to change the name on that license.
Sometimes that means applying for a new license and canceling the old one. Or sometimes you can just change the name on the existing license.
Contact your state licensing agency or licensing board for information on how to update the state business license. And contact your local government (like a city clerk or county clerk) for the process to update local business permits.
Step 7: Update marketing materials and other places with your new LLC name
Tip: We recommend making a spreadsheet to keep track of everything. Enter the place you are changing your LLC name, their contact information, and maybe a notes section. Here’s an LLC name change checklist that you can use: Google Docs | Excel
Below are some examples of places to update with your new LLC name.
Branding and online presence:
- online stores (like eBay, Shopify, Amazon)
- website, domain registrar, hosting company
- letterhead, logos, invoices, contracts, and important documents
- social media accounts
Professional services:
- Registered Agent Service (if you hired one)
- accountant
- attorney
Other government agencies:
- local tax office (ex: city, county, township)
- business licenses and permits
- sales tax permit
- utility companies
- Department of Labor (if you have employees)
Stay calm: Don’t stress out thinking you have to change your LLC name everywhere right away. That’s not the case. Take your time and do the important ones first. Give yourself a few days or a few weeks to get them all done. Technically, your old business name will still work for quite some time.
Update your LLC Operating Agreement
It’s a good idea to update the name on your LLC’s Operating Agreement. Don’t worry, this is a simple process. You can either:
- You can make a new version of the Operating Agreement you already have. Update the document with your new LLC name, and have the LLC Member(s) sign.
- Or, you can use our free template on LLC Operating Agreement to create a new Operating Agreement with the new LLC name.
Tip: This is a good opportunity to review the other sections in your Operating Agreement and make any needed updates there, too. Have the LLC Member(s) sign, and distribute copies like you did with your initial LLC Operating Agreement.
LLC Name Change FAQs
How much does it cost to change the name of an LLC?
The cost to change your business name varies from state to state. Our table of state-specific links on this page has the current filing fees.
There are some states that charge $100 or more, but most states charge between $20 and $60.
How many times can I change my LLC name?
You can change the name of your LLC as many times as you want. The state doesn’t care, as long as you pay the filing fee.
You’re allowed to change the name of your Limited Liability Company for any reason. The Amendment form doesn’t ask you why you want to change the name. No state law limits when you can file an Amendment to change the name of a company.
Who can change the LLC name?
Generally speaking, the LLC Members can change the LLC’s name. (An LLC Member is a business owner.)
So, as long as all the LLC Members agree, you can go ahead and file the Amendment.
Technically, the LLC Members should vote to agree on the new name. However, a vote can be something informal, like an email or phone call.
Who can sign the Certificate of Amendment?
If your LLC is Member-managed, any Member can sign.
If your LLC is Manager-managed, any Manager can sign.
Or if you hire a company to file this form for you, they’ll sign as an Authorized Person.
Confused by these terms? Check out LLC Member vs Manager.
Do I need a new EIN if I change the name of my LLC?
No, you don’t need a new EIN number.
Getting a new EIN Number will actually cause confusion at the IRS, and that can create issues for your business.
Instead, you will simply change your LLC name with the IRS (see above for instructions).
Do I need a lawyer to change the LLC legal name?
No, you don’t need to hire a lawyer. You can file the Certificate of Amendment yourself or you can hire a company to do it for you.
If you want to hire a company, we recommend MyCompanyWorks.
Need to save time? We recommend hiring MyCompanyWorks ($99 + state fee) to file your LLC name change.
If my state requires newspaper publication for LLCs, do I have to publish those again?
No. If you change your LLC name, you don’t have to meet the LLC publication requirement again.
This is the case in Arizona, Nebraska, and New York.
Note: No other states have publication requirements for LLCs.
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
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