Can I change the name of my LLC in Arkansas?
Absolutely! You can easily change your Arkansas LLC name.
The first step is to file a form called the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State and wait for it to be approved. This is how you officially change your LLC name in Arkansas.
The filing fee for a Certificate of Amendment in Arkansas is $22.50.
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 Arkansas business name in other places like your website and marketing materials.
This 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 in Arkansas?
- Check if your new LLC name is available
- File the Arkansas Amendment form (and wait for approval)
- Update the IRS
- Update the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
- Update financial institutions (credit card companies, banks)
- Update business licenses
- Update other places (branding materials, business accounts, etc.)
How much does it cost to change an LLC name in Arkansas?
It costs $22.50 to change your LLC name in Arkansas. This is the filing fee for the Certificate of Amendment form.
The fee is the same whether you file the form online or by mail.
How do I change my Arkansas LLC name?
In order to change your LLC name, you must file a Certificate of Amendment with the Arkansas Secretary of State. This amendment process officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.
Note: The Arkansas Secretary of State is responsible for LLC formation and administration, including name changes.
We provide step-by-step instructions on how to file the Certificate of Amendment online. (Technically, you can also file by mail. However, it’s much slower and the state prefers online filings.)
Can I change my LLC name myself?
You can file the Certificate of Amendment yourself or you can hire a company to do this for you.
Because the Amendment filing in Arkansas 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 Arkansas LLC name is available
Before filing your amendment form (the Certificate of Amendment), you should check that your new LLC name is available in Arkansas.
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 Arkansas LLC name ahead of time using the state’s business entity search.
Check name availability: Our Arkansas LLC Name page has information about how to use the business entity search tool. It also explains details about name rules in Arkansas.
Step 2: File the Arkansas LLC name change form
The Arkansas LLC name change form is called the Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Organization for a Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form LL-02).
We’ll keep it simple and call it the Certificate of Amendment.
(It’s called this because you’re amending your Arkansas Certificate of Organization.)
How to file a Certificate of Amendment in Arkansas
Before you begin: You’ll need your LLC’s business entity ID number (“filing number”) in order to use the online filing system.
Go to the Arkansas Business Entity Search.
Enter the first few words of your LLC’s name in the first field and click search.
Click on your LLC in the results and make a note of the Filing # (it will be a 9-digit number).
Get Started
Go to the Arkansas Corporations Online Filing System and scroll down to the Domestic LLC section.
Find the form name “Certificate of Amendment to Art. of Organization – LLC-02“.
Enter your LLC’s business entity ID number (aka Filing Number) and click “Start Form”.
Entity Information
First, click the box for “Change Entity Name“.
New LLC Name
A new field will appear after you check the “Change Entity Name” box. Enter your new LLC desired name here.
Be sure to include the designator in your new LLC name. You can use “LLC” or “L.L.C.”. And you can use a comma before the designator, or leave it out.
Amendment
Date of Adoption
Select the date you want your LLC name change to be effective.
Most people leave this set to today’s date. That means your LLC name change will be effective when it’s approved by the Secretary of State.
Amendment
This field asks you to describe what amendment you’re making to the LLC’s Certificate of Organization.
You can simply enter: “Amending name of Domestic Limited Liability Company“.
Submitter Contact Information
The information you enter here won’t go on public record. This just tells the Secretary of State where to return your approved Certificate of Amendment documents.
Enter your name and address. The address doesn’t have to be in Arkansas. It can be in any state or country.
Enter your phone and email address so the Secretary of State can contact you with any questions about the Amendment filing.
Agreement
Click the box to agree to the terms. Then type your name in the Signature field.
Upload documents
If the only Amendment you’re making is changing the LLC name, you don’t need to upload any documents. You can just click Next at the bottom to skip this step.
Review
Review the information you’ve entered and confirm there are no errors or typos. Go back to make any changes, if needed, or click Next to continue.
Payment
Select whether you’ll pay by ECheck or by Credit Card, and click Continue.
Enter your payment information and submit your payment for $22.50 to the state.
Congratulations! Your Arkansas Certificate of Amendment has been submitted to the Secretary of State.
Wait for approval from the Secretary of State
After submitting your Certificate of Amendment to the state, please wait for approval.
Approval times vary, but on average, how long it takes to change an LLC name in Arkansas can take 3-7 business days.
Because you filed online, you’ll receive your name change approval by email.
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 Arkansas LLC name with the IRS
After your new LLC name is approved, the next step is to update your Arkansas LLC name with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 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 Department of Finance and Administration
After your new LLC name is approved, you need to update your business’s account with the state’s tax department (the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration).
Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. However, in Arkansas it’s called the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, and this is who you’ll update with your new LLC name.
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 Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. You can ask about the process to update your business name.
Step 5: Update financial institutions with your new LLC name
Besides updating your Arkansas LLC name with the IRS and Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration business 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 an Arkansas 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 your existing license.
Arkansas doesn’t have a general state business license requirement. But your LLC might have an industry- or occupation-specific license.
If that’s the case, contact your state licensing agency or licensing board for information on how to update the state business license. We have more details about how to find this information on Arkansas Business Licenses.
And contact your local government (like a city clerk or county clerk) for the process to update any local business permits. You can look up your county clerk through the Association of Arkansas Counties. And you can find your city or town clerk information through the Arkansas Municipal League.
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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.
Change LLC Name in Arkansas FAQs
How much does an LLC name change cost in Arkansas?
An LLC name change in Arkansas costs $22.50.
This is the filing fee for the Certificate of Amendment, the official form used to change your Arkansas LLC name.
If you’d like to learn about all the Arkansas LLC costs, please see Arkansas LLC Costs.
Can I file my Arkansas LLC name change by mail?
Yes, you can file the Certificate of Amendment by mail to change your Arkansas LLC name.
Download and complete the Certificate of Amendment form and mail to the Secretary of State.
How many times can I change my Arkansas LLC name?
You can change the name of your Arkansas 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 Arkansas law limits when you can file an Amendment to change the name of a company.
Who can change the Arkansas LLC name?
Generally speaking, the LLC Members (owners) can change the LLC’s name.
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.
Do I need a new EIN if I change the name of my Arkansas 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.
So don’t get a new EIN number for your LLC.
Instead, you will simply change your Arkansas LLC name with the IRS (see above for instructions).
Do I need a lawyer to change the Arkansas 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.
How do I change my LLC name in another state?
You can change an LLC name in any state. Click the link below to learn how to change your LLC’s name in that state.
Alabama LLC Name Change
Alaska LLC Name Change
Arizona LLC Name Change
Arkansas LLC Name Change
California LLC Name Change
Colorado LLC Name Change
Connecticut LLC Name Change
Delaware LLC Name Change
DC LLC Name Change
Florida LLC Name Change
Georgia LLC Name Change
Hawaii LLC Name Change
Idaho LLC Name Change
Illinois LLC Name Change
Indiana LLC Name Change
Iowa LLC Name Change
Kansas LLC Name Change
Kentucky LLC Name Change
Louisiana LLC Name Change
Maine LLC Name Change
Maryland LLC Name Change
Massachusetts LLC Name Change
Michigan LLC Name Change
Minnesota LLC Name Change
Mississippi LLC Name Change
Missouri LLC Name Change
Montana LLC Name Change
Nebraska LLC Name Change
Nevada LLC Name Change
New Hampshire LLC Name Change
New Jersey LLC Name Change
New Mexico LLC Name Change
New York LLC Name Change
North Carolina LLC Name Change
North Dakota LLC Name Change
Ohio LLC Name Change
Oklahoma LLC Name Change
Oregon LLC Name Change
Pennsylvania LLC Name Change
Rhode Island LLC Name Change
South Carolina LLC Name Change
South Dakota LLC Name Change
Tennessee LLC Name Change
Texas LLC Name Change
Utah LLC Name Change
Vermont LLC Name Change
Virginia LLC Name Change
Washington LLC Name Change
West Virginia LLC Name Change
Wisconsin LLC Name Change
Wyoming LLC Name Change
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.