Change LLC Name in Georgia

Can I change the name of my LLC in Georgia?

Absolutely! You can easily change your Georgia LLC name.

The first step is to file a form called the Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State and wait for it to be approved. This is how you officially change your LLC name in Georgia.

The filing fee for the Articles of Amendment in Georgia is $20.

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 Georgia?

1. Check if your new LLC name is available
2. File the Georgia LLC Articles of Amendment form (and wait for approval)
3. Update the IRS
4. Update the Georgia Department 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 Georgia?

It costs $20 to change your LLC name in Georgia. This is the filing fee for the Articles of Amendment form online filing.

How do I change my Georgia LLC name?

In order to change your LLC name, you must file the Articles of Amendment with the Georgia Secretary of State. This officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.

Note: The Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division is responsible for LLC formation and administration, including name changes.

We provide step-by-step instructions on how to file the Articles of Amendment online. (Technically, you can also file by mail. However, it’s more expensive, slower, and the state prefers online filings.)

Can I change my LLC name myself?

You can file the Articles of Amendment yourself or you can hire a company to do this for you.

Because the Amendment filing in Georgia can be confusing and time consuming, many people choose to hire a company for help.

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

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

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

Step 2: File the Georgia LLC name change form

The Georgia LLC name change form is called the Articles of Amendment.

(It’s called this because you’re amending your Georgia Articles of Organization.)

How to file the Articles of Amendment in Georgia

First, go to the Georgia Corporations Division Online Services page. You’ll need to login, or create an account if you don’t have one.

From the Online Services dashboard, look for Business Amendment – Name Change Only.

Business Search
First, you’ll locate your LLC’s record. Enter the first word or two of your LLC’s name and click Search Business.

Find your LLC in the list. Click the Select button next to your LLC’s record.

Click Continue.

Business Amendment Name Change

Business Name
This displays your LLC’s current name

Do you have a Business Name Reservation Number?
Most people click No here. Because usually, people don’t reserve a name ahead of time. It’s not required.

If you did reserve a name, click Yes and enter the reservation number.

New Business Name
Enter the new LLC name you want to use. Make sure to include the designator (like “LLC”).

Optional: You can include a 2nd Choice and 3rd Choice for new business names. If your first choice name gets rejected by the Secretary of State, they will try these names instead.

Upload Name Approval Document (If Applicable)
Most people skip this section. You only have to upload a document if your LLC name contains special words.

If you want to use certain words in your LLC’s name (like “insurance”, “bank”, etc) you need permission from the applicable government agency. In that case, you’d upload the letter of name approval from the government agency here.

Otherwise, skip this section.

Article 2
Select the date your LLC’s Georgia Articles of Organization were originally filed.

You can find this information using the Georgia Business Entity Search.

Filer’s Certification (Signature)

Click the box to agree to the terms.

Effective Date
Select your effective date. Most people select the first option: This document shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State. That means your LLC name change will go into effect when the Secretary of State approves it.

Alternatively, you can choose a date in the future. This can be up to 90 days ahead, but can’t be backdated into the past.

Authorizer’s Signature
Type your name to electronically sign the filing.

Authorizer’s Title
Select your title: Organizer, Member, or Manager.
(If these terms are unfamiliar or confusing, check out LLC Organizer vs Member and LLC Officer Titles)

Click Continue.

Review
On the next screen, review the information you entered.
Click Edit Info if you need to make any changes.
Click Continue.

Payment

Would you like to expedite the filing?

If you don’t choose expedited filing, your name change will be approved in about 7-10 business days. If that’s okay, leave the dropdown menu set to Regular Process.
If you need your LLC name change approved more quickly, select an expedited filing level (with extra fees) from the dropdown menu.

Then Click to Pay and enter your credit card information.

Last, submit your payment and file Articles of Amendment.

Wait for approval from the Secretary of State

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

Approval times vary, but on average, it takes 7-10 business days for your Georgia business name change to be approved.

When you file online, you’ll receive your name change approval by email.

Step 3: Change your Georgia LLC name with the IRS

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

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

Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. In Georgia, the Georgia Tax Center is part of the Department 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 Department 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 Georgia LLC name with the IRS and Department of Revenue 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 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 your existing license.

Georgia 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:

• Secretary of State Licensing Division
• Georgia Licensing Boards

And contact your local government (like a city clerk or county clerk) for the process to update any local business permits. You’ll need to look up your county clerk and your town or city, too.

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 Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Georgia 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.