Change LLC Name in Michigan

Can I change the name of my LLC in Michigan?

Absolutely! You can easily change your Michigan LLC name.

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.

The first step is to file a form called the Certificate of Amendment with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and wait for it to be approved. This is how you officially change your LLC name in the state of Michigan.

The filing fee for a Certificate of Amendment in Michigan 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.

What are the steps for changing an LLC name in Michigan?

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 Michigan Department of Treasury
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 Michigan?

It costs $25 to change your LLC name in Michigan. 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 Michigan LLC name?

In order to change your LLC name, you must file a Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. This officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.

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.

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

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

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

Step 2: File the Michigan LLC name change form

The Michigan LLC name change form is called the Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Organization.

(It’s called this because you’re amending your Michigan Articles of Organization. The Michigan LLC Articles of Organization is the initial formation document that originally registered your Michigan Limited Liability Company.)

How to file a Certificate of Amendment in Michigan

You can file online or by mail. We recommend filing your Michigan Certificate of Amendment online, because it’s faster and easier.

Get Started:

• Visit the MiBusiness Registry Portal.
• Click the “Login” button.
• Under “MiBusiness Registry Portal“, click “Launch service“.
  • This automatically logs you in if you just created your MiLogin account.

If this is your first filing after submitting your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to request access to your LLC in order to complete your filing:

• Click “Search“.
• Enter your LLC’s name in the search tool, and select your LLC from the search results.
• Click “Request Access“.
• Enter your LLC’s Identification Number and Initial Filing Date.
  • You’ll find these items on your LLC’s information pop-out.
• Then click “Request Access“.
• Now you can access your LLC filing in the “My Records” page.

Click “My Records” in the left-hand navigation.

Then click on your LLC’s name, and click “File Subsequent Document“.

From the list of forms, click on “CSCL/CD-715 – Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Organization” to begin your filing.

Note: If you don’t see this form available, you’ll need to contact the Corporation Division (517-241-6470) for assistance.

Processing Information

Select your processing speed.

We recommend choosing Standard Review. This will get your LLC Name Change processed in 7-10 business days.

If you would like your LLC approved faster, you can pay more money for expedited filing.

That said, most people don’t expedite their filing. And we don’t recommend it.

Veteran Exemption

If you’re a Veteran, you can check the box marked “I qualify for a veteran fee exemption“. Then upload your Proof of Veteran’s Status and Fee Waiver Request forms to request a fee waiver.

If you aren’t a Veteran, leave the box unchecked.

Then click “Next Step“.

Limited Liability Company Information

The greyed out section contains your LLC’s basic information. There’s nothing to do there.

Article I

Do you wish to change the name of the limited liability company?

Select “Yes“.

A previously filed reserved name will be used for this filing.

If you reserved an LLC Name:

• Click “Yes“.
• Then select your reserved name from the dropdown.

If you didn’t reserve an LLC Name:

• Click “No“.
• Then enter and confirm your desired LLC name, including its designator (ending).

As per Section 450.4204 of the Michigan LLC Act, your LLC name must have one of the following designators at the end:

• LLC
• L.L.C.
• LC
• L.C.
• Limited Liability Company

Tip: Most people choose “LLC”.

When you’re finished, click “Next Step“.

Do you want to change anything else?

In addition to changing your LLC’s name, you can also change other things about your LLC, such as your Registered Agent and LLC purpose.

If you want to change those items, click on them in the left navigation and make the appropriate changes.

Only changing your LLC name?

If you’re only changing your LLC name, you’ll need to go to each of the following sections in the left navigation and select “No” (stating you don’t want to change this).

• In “Purpose”, select “No“.
• In “Term of Duration”, select “No“.
• In “Resident Agent and Registered Office Address”, select “No“.
• In “Optional Articles”, select “No“.

Method of Approval

Choose the appropriate option for how the LLC name change amendment was approved by the LLC owners:

Click the second option (“by unanimous vote of all the members…”) if:

• you’re the only LLC Member (you have a Single-Member LLC), or
• your LLC has more than 1 Member, and everyone agreed on the name change.

If your LLC has more than 1 Member and a majority (but not everyone) agreed, click the first option (“by a majority in interest…”).

Then click “Next Step“.

Signature

Check all 3 boxes agreeing that:

• you know your Certificate of Amendment information is public record,
• you are authorized to file this document, and
• the information you’re submitting is true.

At least 1 person must sign your Certificate of Amendment:

• Click “Add“.
• Enter the name of the signer.
• Click “Save“.
• Signer’s Capacity: Select “Authorized Agent” or “Self“.
• Signature: Enter your name.
• Date: Click the box labeled “Today“.

Then click “Next Step“.

Review

Review your information for accuracy and check for typos.

If you need to make any changes, click the section in the menu and edit the information.

When everything looks good, click “File Online” at the bottom.

Payment

Select “Pay Now with Credit Card“.

There’s nothing to do on the next page. Just click “Next“.

Enter your billing and payment details.

Then click “Next” to submit the $25 fee using a debit or credit card.

You should receive a payment receipt at the email address you entered.

Approval

Congratulations! Your Certificate of Amendment was filed online and will be processed within 7-10 business days.

Michigan doesn’t send email confirmation when your LLC Name Change is approved.

Instead, you can check on the status of your filing by searching for the business in the MiBusiness Registry Portal:

• Visit the MiBusiness Registry Portal.
• Click “Search” and run a search for your LLC name.
• Select your LLC from the search results.
• Click “View History & Filings“.

When your LLC Name Change has been approved, you’ll see “Certificate of Amendment” with the current year listed in the filing history.

We recommend waiting the full 7-10 business days before checking on your Certificate of Amendment’s filing status.

Michigan Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the Corporations Division at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

Their phone number is 517-241-6470. And their hours are Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm Eastern Time.

Step 3: Change your Michigan LLC name with the IRS

After your new LLC name is approved, the next step is to update your Michigan 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 Michigan Department of Treasury

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

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

Step 5: Update financial institutions with your new LLC name

Besides updating your Michigan LLC name with the IRS and Michigan Department of Treasury business tax division, 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.

Michigan 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:

• Michigan State License Search
• Michigan Department of Professional Licensing

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 the clerk for your town or city as well.

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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan FAQs

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

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.