Change LLC Name in Hawaii

Can I change the name of my LLC in Hawaii?

Absolutely! You can easily change your Hawaii LLC name.

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

The filing fee for the Articles of Amendment in Hawaii is $25.

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 Hawaii?

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 Hawaii Department of Taxation
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 Hawaii?

It costs $25 to change your LLC name in Hawaii. This is the filing fee for the Articles of Amendment form.

The fee is the same whether you file the form online or by mail.

How do I change my Hawaii LLC name?

In order to change your LLC name, you must file the Articles of Amendment with the Hawaii Business Registration Division. This amendment form officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs – Business Registration 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 slower and the state prefers online filings.)

Note: The Articles of Amendment form instructions we provide below only describe how to change the name of your Hawaii LLC. If you want to make other changes, like the business address, mailing address, or registered agent, you’ll need to use different forms.

Can I change my LLC name myself?

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

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

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

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

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

Step 2: File the Hawaii LLC name change form

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

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

How to file the Articles of Amendment in Hawaii

First, go to the Hawaii Business Express website. You’ll need to login, or create an account if you don’t have one.

Then click this link to go to the Business Changes Filings.
The screen should look like this:

Can’t find it?
On the Account Dashboard, click Hawaii Business Express
Under Manage, click Learn More.
Next to Changes, click Start a Change Request.

Lookup your LLC

Next, you need to locate your LLC’s record.

Enter the first word or two of your LLC’s name and click Search.

From the list of forms, scroll down to find “LLC-2 Articles of Amendment to Change Limited Liability Company Name”. Click Fill out Form below the form name.

Business Filing

1. Current Company Name

There’s nothing to do here.

2. Requested Company Name

Enter the new LLC name, including designator (like “LLC”).

Signature

Are you signing as an individual or entity?
Click the button for Individual.

Print Name of Individual
Enter your name.

Title of Individual
Choose Manager or Member.

If these terms are unfamiliar or confusing, check out Member-Managed vs Manager-Managed LLC and LLC Officer Titles for help.

Signature of Individual
Type your name to electronically sign the filing.

Click Review and Purchase to continue.

Review and Confirmation

Review the information you entered and make any needed changes.

Click the box to certify the information, then click Confirm.

Note: Don’t click Download the form PDF link. This generates a draft filing for your review. That’s the same as what’s shown on this page. It doesn’t create an approved copy of the Name Change filing, so you can’t use it for anything.

Forms and Fees

Click Pay Now.

Enter your payment information and submit your payment to the state.

Wait for approval from the Business Registration Division

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 a Hawaii business name change to be approved.

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

Step 3: Change your Hawaii LLC name with the IRS

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

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

Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. In Hawaii it’s called the Department of Taxation, and they work closely with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on business tax matters.

Hawaii requires every business to register for a State Tax Identification Number. 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 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 Hawaii LLC name with the IRS and Department of Taxation, 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.

Hawaii 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: Hawaii Business Action Center.

And contact your local government (like a city clerk or county clerk) for the process to update any local business permits. You can find your county or city clerk on the Hawaii Business Action Center site.

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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.