Change LLC Name in Maryland

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Can I change the name of my LLC in Maryland?

Absolutely! You can easily change your Maryland LLC name.

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

The filing fee for the Articles of Amendment in Maryland is $150.

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 Maryland?

  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 Comptroller of Maryland
  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 Maryland?

It costs $150 to change your LLC name in Maryland. This is the online filing fee for the Articles of Amendment form.

You can file by mail instead, and save some money. If you file by mail, you’ll pay $100. However, it will take 5-8 weeks (plus mail time) for your name change to be approved.

If you want your name change to be approved faster, you should file online. If you file online, the fee is $150 (because you must pay $50 for the expedited processing time). Online name change filings will be approved in 1 business day.

How do I change my Maryland LLC name?

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

Note: The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) is responsible for LLC formation and administration, including name changes.

The Articles of Amendment form is a PDF download. After you complete the form, you can file it online or by mail.

We strongly recommend filing online, because the processing time is much faster.

Our step-by-step instructions below only describe how to change your LLC’s name. If you want to make other changes (like the business address), you’ll need to do different steps. For example, Maryland has a specific principal office form and resident agent form to change those details.

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 Maryland 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 Maryland LLC name is available

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

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

Check name availability: Our Maryland LLC Name page has information about how to use the business entity search tool. It also explains details about rules for business names in Maryland.

Step 2: File the Maryland LLC name change form

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

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

How to file the Articles of Amendment in Maryland

Overview:

  1. Download the PDF Articles of Amendment form.
  2. Complete the Articles of Amendment, print it out and sign it.
  3. Scan the Articles of Amendment as a PDF.
  4. Upload the Articles of Amendment through Maryland Business Express.

Complete the Maryland Articles of Amendment Form

First, download the Articles of Amendment form.

You should complete the form on your computer (type it) and then print it out to sign.

(1) Insert full name of the Limited Liability Company

Enter your Maryland LLC’s current name. (The name of the existing business, not what you’re changing it to.)

(2) The Charter of the LLC is hereby amended as follows:

Enter this text:

The name of the Limited Liability Company is changed. The new legal name is [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 the name.

For example: Ashwini wants to change the name of her company to Galaxy Investments, LLC. In item 2, she would type: “The name of the Limited Liability Company is changed. The new legal name is Galaxy Investments, LLC.”

(3) Signature

Enter your name and title. Print out the Articles of Amendment and sign them.

  • If you’re an owner and your LLC is Member-managed, enter Member for your title.
  • If you’re an LLC Manager and the LLC is Manager-managed, enter Manager for your title.
  • If you’re not an owner (Member) or a Manager, enter Authorized Agent for your title.

(If you’re not sure or these terms are confusing, check out: LLC Officer Titles and LLC Organizer vs Member)

Scan and save the Articles of Amendment form to your computer as a PDF. The online filing system only accepts uploads of PDF format documents.

How to File Articles of Amendment Online

First, login to Maryland Business Express (or create an account, if you don’t have one).

Next, click this link: LLC Articles of Amendment.

Find your LLC Record

Begin by looking up your LLC’s record.

Enter your LLC’s name in the Business Name field and click Search.

Find your LLC in the search results and click the button next to it to File Articles of Amendment for MD LLC.

The first page contains information about the fees and expedited filing options.

You don’t need to download the Articles of Amendment PDF again. You should already have scanned your completed Articles of Amendment.

Business Information

This page displays your LLC’s current mailing address on file.

If you need to change it: click the box and enter the new address. Otherwise, skip this section.

Contact Information

Enter an email address and phone number.

You must enter both an email address and a phone number. But don’t worry, this information doesn’t go on public record.

The Maryland SDAT will use this information to contact you if they have any questions about your Articles of Amendment filing.

Upload Articles of Amendment

Click Choose File, locate the Articles of Amendment PDF on your computer and upload it.

In Description, enter this text:

[name of LLC]’s Articles of Amendment

Contact Information

This page tells you that filing confirmations will be sent to the Maryland Business Express account holder.

If you want another person to be notified about the filing (like a business partner or your attorney), you can enter their contact information here.

If you don’t need to notify anyone else, you can skip this section and simply click Continue to proceed.

Summary

Review the information you’ve entered. Click Edit next to any section if you need to make changes.

Certified Copy
You can pay extra for a certified copy of this filing. The certified copy costs $20 plus $1 for each page of the document.

A certified copy isn’t necessary (you can simply use the approved filing copy when you go to change your LLC name at the bank, etc.). But some people like to have the more ‘official’ looking document.

If you want a certified copy, check the box on this page. The extra fee will be automatically added to your total.

Click Save for Payment to continue.

Items Ready for Payment

On the next screen, click Make Payment.

Then enter your credit card or bank account information and submit your payment to the state.

Wait for approval from SDAT

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

Online Filing

Approval times may vary, but typically your Maryland LLC name change will be approved in 1 business day. Remember, when you filed online you paid for expedited processing.

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

Mail Filing

Maryland is a popular state with a lot of business filings. So when you file by mail, your Maryland LLC name change may take up to 5-8 weeks (plus mail time) to be approved.

When you file by mail, you’ll receive your stamped and approved Articles of Amendment back in the mail.

Reminder: Changing your LLC name with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation 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 Maryland LLC name with the IRS

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

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

Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. However, in Maryland it’s called the Comptroller (aka the Comptroller of Maryland or Maryland Comptroller), 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 Maryland Comptroller Business Department. You can ask about the process to update your business name.

Step 5: Update financial institutions with your new LLC name

Besides updating your Maryland LLC name with the IRS and Maryland Comptroller’s business tax department, you’ll also want to contact the following places and let them know about the name change.

Financial institutions:

Matt Horwitz, founder of LLC University®

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.

Maryland 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:

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’s clerk of the circuit court on the Maryland Circuit Courts website, and you’ll need to look up your town or city, too.

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:

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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland FAQs

How much does an LLC name change cost in Maryland?

An LLC name change in Maryland costs $100.

This is the filing fee for the Articles of Amendment, the official form used to change your Maryland LLC name.

If you file your name change online (for next-day approval time), it costs $150 for the expedited filing.

If you’d like to learn about all the Maryland LLC costs, please see Maryland LLC Costs.

Can I file my Maryland LLC name change by mail?

Yes, you can file the Articles of Amendment by mail to change your Maryland LLC name.

Download and complete the Articles of Amendment form and mail to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Include a check payable to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation for $100.

How many times can I change my Maryland LLC name?

You can change the name of your Maryland 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 Maryland law limits when you can file an Amendment to change the name of a company.

Who can change the Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland LLC name with the IRS (see above for instructions).

Do I need a lawyer to change the Maryland LLC legal name?

No, you don’t need to hire a lawyer. You can file the Articles 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.

 
Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz is the leading expert on LLC education, and has been teaching for 15 years. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC. 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.

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