Change LLC Name in Delaware

Can I change the name of my LLC in Delaware?

Absolutely! You can easily change your Delaware LLC name.

The first step is to file a form called the Certificate of Amendment with the Division of Corporations and wait for it to be approved. This is how you officially change your LLC name in Delaware.

The filing fee for a Certificate of Amendment in Delaware is $200.

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.

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 Delaware?

1. Check if your new LLC name is available
2. File the Amendment form (and wait for approval)
3. Update the IRS
4. Update the Delaware Division of Revenue
5. Update financial institutions (credit card companies, banks)
6. Update business licenses
7. Update other places (branding materials, business accounts, etc.)

How much does it cost to change an LLC name in Delaware?

It costs $200 to change your LLC name in Delaware. 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 Delaware LLC name?

In order to change your LLC name, you must file a Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Division of Corporations. This officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.

Note: The Delaware Division of Corporations 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 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 Delaware can be confusing and time consuming, many people choose to hire a company for help.

Step 1: Make sure your new Delaware LLC name is available

Before filing your amendment form (the Certificate of Amendment), you should check that your new LLC name is available in Delaware.

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 Delaware LLC name ahead of time using the state’s business entity search.

Step 2: File the Delaware LLC name change form

The Delaware LLC name change form is called the Certificate of Amendment.

(It’s called this because you’re amending your Delaware Certificate of Formation.)

How to file a Certificate of Amendment in Delaware

First: Download the Delaware LLC Certificate of Amendment form.

You can type the information in the form, and then print to sign it. Or you can print it out, and complete the form by hand using black ink.

1. Name of Limited Liability Company:

Enter the name of your LLC as it currently appears on state records. (Not the new name.)

2. The Certificate of Formation of the limited liability company is hereby amended as follows:

You’ll need to enter some text here to describe the change. Here’s a template you can use:

1. Name of the Limited Liability Company is amended to: [new name of LLC].

Just replace “[new name of LLC]” with the name you want to use. And make sure to include an appropriate designator (like “LLC”) at the end of your LLC’s name.

For example: Shinji wants to change the name of his company to Restaurant Concepts LLC. In item 2, he would type: “1. Name of the Limited Liability Company is amended to: Restaurant concepts LLC.”

Signature

Date
Fill in the date.

Note: The format on this form is a little unusual. The completed date will look like this:
the 3rd day of April A.D. 2024.

By:
Sign your name here.

Name:
Print your name here.

Next, scan your signed and completed Certificate of Amendment onto your computer and save in PDF format. You’ll be uploading that PDF on the state’s website.

Get started with eCorp Business Services

Document Priority

Select how quickly you want your Delaware Certificate of Amendment to be processed. Faster processing times have extra fees.

Submitter Info

Note: The Submitter Information is private information. Anything you enter here will not be listed on public record.

Account number: You can leave this blank.

Submitter name: Enter your name. Don’t enter your LLC name here.

Attention line: Leave this blank.

Address 1: Enter the street address where you’d like the LLC approval sent.

Address 2 and Address 3: If your street address has a unit or suite number, enter that in Address 2. Continue onto Address 3 only if applicable.

City, State, and Postal Code: Enter the city, state, and zip or postal code for the address.

Country: If your mailing address is outside of the USA, check off the “Non US Country” box.

Email address: Enter your email address.

Phone number: Enter your phone number.

Fax: Enter your fax number (optional). If you don’t have a fax number, just leave this blank.

Document Request Type

From the drop down menu, select “Document Filing Request“.

File Upload

Make sure your signed Certificate of Amendment is saved in PDF format.

Then click the “Select files” button and upload your PDF of the Certificate of Amendment you completed and signed.

Document Filing

Corporation Name: Enter your LLC’s name (the name currently on Delaware records, not what you’re changing it to.)

Corporation Number: Leave this blank. It’s not applicable.

Reservation Number: If you filed an LLC name reservation, you can enter your LLC’s name reservation number here. Most people don’t reserve an LLC name ahead of time (it’s not required) so they leave this section blank.

Document Type: Enter “Certificate of Amendment“.

Other Document Filing Information

Most people leave the entire “Other Document Filing Information” section blank unless they’ve specifically been asked (ex: from a bank or from a lender) for a Certified Copy or a Certificate of Good Standing.

Number of certified copies (optional)
A Certified Copy (of your Certificate of Amendment) is taking your LLC approval document one step further.

Typically, you’ll receive a stamped and approved copy of your Certificate of Amendment (this is your LLC approval). That stamped and approved copy can be taken to banks and other institutions to change the name on your accounts. You don’t need the Certified Copy for that.

If you want a certified copy, it’s a stamped and approved Certificate of Amendment with a state seal to make it more “official”. The fee for a Certified Copy is $50 + $2 per page.

Method of Return

Select how you want your LLC approval documents returned to you.

Most people select “Regular Mail” from the drop down menu.

Alternatively, if you have a prepaid account with FedEx or UPS, you can list that account number here and the state will send the documents that way.

Comments

You can leave this section blank.

Continue

Click “Continue” to proceed to the next step.

A “Review Your Submission” pop-up box will appear. The state is just saying make sure you double-checked your information. To review your filing information one more time, click “Review/Edit“. To proceed, click “Proceed“.

Submit Payment

Note: All the information entered here is private. It is not listed on public record.

Select “ACH” or “Credit card” from the drop down menu. If you choose ACH, you’ll enter your bank account details for an electronic debit. If you want to use a debit card instead, select “credit card”.

Enter your payment information, contact information, and billing information.

Then click “Submit Your Request” and complete the online payment.

Congratulations, your Delaware LLC Name Change has been filed for processing!

Wait for approval from the Division of Corporations

After submitting your Certificate of Amendment to the state, please wait for approval.

Approval times vary, but on average, it takes 10 business days for a Delaware LLC name change to be approved when you file online.

When you file online, you’ll receive your name change approval by email. A stamped approved copy of the Amendment document should be included.

Step 3: Change your Delaware LLC name with the IRS

After your new LLC name is approved, the next step is to update your Delaware 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

When you update your accounting and tax records, the EIN number will be the same, but you’ll change the business name.

Step 4: Update your LLC’s Account with the Division of Revenue

After your new LLC name is approved, you need to update your business’s account with the state’s tax department (the Division of Revenue).

Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. However, in Delaware it’s called the Division of Revenue, 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 Division of Revenue. You can ask about the process to update your business name.

Step 5: Update financial institutions with your new LLC name

Besides updating your Delaware LLC name with the IRS and Division of Revenue business tax department, you’ll also want to contact the following places and let them know about the name change. You don’t have to open a new bank account, you can just change the name on your existing business accounts.

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

Every LLC in Delaware must have a Delaware Business License. So after changing your LLC’s name, you must update that state business license. This license is administered by the Division of Revenue.

And if your LLC also has an occupation- or industry-specific license or a local business permit, you’ll need to change the name on that license too. Professional licensing is done by specific agencies and boards.

Update Delaware Business License

You must change the LLC name on your Delaware Business License. Go to the OneStop Modify Licenses page, and click the button at the bottom for “Change a license“.

You can also check out Delaware.gov License your Business for more general information.

Update Professional Licenses & Local Permits

If your LLC has a professional license (specific to your occupation or industry), contact your state licensing agency or licensing board for information on how to update the state business license: Delaware Industry Licenses.

And contact your local government (like a city clerk or county clerk) for the process to update any local business permits. You can find the contact information for your clerk on the County, City and Town Licensing and Permits page.

Step 7: Update marketing materials and other places with your new LLC name

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 Delaware LLC Operating Agreement

It’s a good idea to update the name on your LLC’s Operating Agreement. But don’t panic, you don’t need to create entirely new internal documents for everything in your LLC. You should update the Operating Agreement, and any letterhead or invoices that customers will see.

And don’t worry, creating a new Operating Agreement 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 Delaware business name, and have the LLC Member(s) sign.
• Or, you can use our free template on Delaware 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 Delaware FAQs

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
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.