Can I change the name of my LLC in Rhode Island?
Absolutely! You can easily change your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.
The filing fee for the Articles of Amendment in Rhode Island is $50.
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 Rhode Island?
- Check if your new LLC name is available
- File the Amendment form (and wait for approval)
- Update the IRS
- Update the RI Division of Taxation
- Update financial institutions (credit card companies, banks)
- Update business licenses
- Update other places (branding materials, business accounts, etc.)
How much does it cost to change an LLC name in Rhode Island?
It costs $50 to change your LLC name in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island LLC name?
In order to change your LLC name, you must file the Articles of Amendment with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. This officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.
Note: The Rhode Island Department of State (and the Secretary of State) 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.)
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.
The Rhode Island Business Services Division lets a business owner file their own documents.
But, because the Amendment filing in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island LLC name is available
Before filing your Rhode Island amendment form (the Articles of Amendment), you should check that your new LLC name is available in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island LLC name ahead of time using the state’s business entity search.
Check name availability: Our Rhode Island LLC Name page has information about how to use the business entity search tool. It also explains details about name rules in Rhode Island.
Step 2: File the Rhode Island LLC name change form
The Rhode Island LLC name change form is called the Articles of Amendment.
(It’s called this because you’re amending your Rhode Island Articles of Organization. The Articles of Organization are the documents you file initially to create a new Rhode Island business.)
How to file the Articles of Amendment in Rhode Island
Get started
Go to the Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Online Filing System.
In the Existing Entities box, login with your Customer Identification Number and PIN.
(If you don’t have your Customer ID Number and PIN, you can request them via email from the Secretary of State.)
From the Filing box, select the form “Articles of Amendment“.
Click Submit to continue.
Limited Liability Company Articles of Amendment
Article I – LLC Name
If the name is changing, state the new name.
Delete your LLC’s current name from this box.
And then enter the desired new LLC name. Make sure to include an allowable designator (like “LLC”).
Article II – Other Changes
If you only need to change the LLC’s name, skip this section and scroll down to Article III.
If you want to make changes to other things about your LLC (like the principal office address or purpose), edit them here.
Article III – Later Effective Date
This section is optional.
If you leave it blank, your LLC name change will go into effect when it’s approved by the Secretary of State. Most people leave this blank to choose this option.
Alternatively, you can specify a future date (“Later Effective Date”). In that case, the name change will go into effect on the date you choose.
Filer’s Contact Information
Enter your name, mailing address, phone number and email address.
Don’t worry, this information won’t go on public record. The Secretary of State will use this to contact you if there’s a problem with your filing.
Signature
Type your name in the box to electronically sign.
Click the button to Accept the terms of filing.
Then click the button at the bottom to Submit the information.
Review Articles of Amendment
Check the information you entered.
If everything looks good, you can click Accept to continue with the filing.
If you need to go back and change something, click the Make Corrections button instead.
Payment Screen
Click the button to open the payment process, and enter your credit card information.
Submit your payment and filing to the state.
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 3-4 business days for your Rhode Island business name change to be approved.
The Rhode Island Secretary of State doesn’t send an emailed copy of your successful filing. Instead, you have to check your LLC on the Rhode Island Corporate Database. Here’s how:
- Go to the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Corporate Database.
- Search for your LLC by its name, and click on your LLC in the search results.
- At the bottom of your LLC’s online record, select “ALL FILINGS” and click the “View Filings” button.
- Look for “Articles of Amendment”, and then click the link to the right to download and save or print the document.
Reminder: Changing your LLC name with the Secretary of State 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 Rhode Island LLC name with the IRS
After your new LLC name is approved, the next step is to update your Rhode Island 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 RI Division of Taxation
After your new LLC name is approved, you need to update your business’s account with the state’s tax department (the Rhode Island Division of Taxation).
Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. However, in Rhode Island it’s called the Division of Taxation, which 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 Division 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 Rhode Island LLC name with the IRS and RI Division of Taxation 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.
Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.
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 city or town clerk on the RI Department of State’s Cities and Towns List.
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:
- 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island FAQs
How much does an LLC name change cost in Rhode Island?
An LLC name change in Rhode Island costs $50.
This is the filing fee for the Articles of Amendment, the official form used to change your Rhode Island LLC name.
If you’d like to learn about all the Rhode Island LLC costs, please see Rhode Island LLC Costs.
Can I file my Rhode Island LLC name change by mail?
Yes, you can file the Articles of Amendment by mail to change your Rhode Island LLC name.
Download and complete the Articles of Amendment form and mail to the Secretary of State.
How many times can I change my Rhode Island LLC name?
You can change the name of your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island law limits when you can file an Amendment to change the name of a company.
Who can change the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island LLC name with the IRS (see above for instructions).
Do I need a lawyer to change the Rhode Island 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.
Alabama LLC Name Change
Alaska LLC Name Change
Arizona LLC Name Change
Arkansas LLC Name Change
California LLC Name Change
Colorado LLC Name Change
Connecticut LLC Name Change
Delaware LLC Name Change
DC LLC Name Change
Florida LLC Name Change
Georgia LLC Name Change
Hawaii LLC Name Change
Idaho LLC Name Change
Illinois LLC Name Change
Indiana LLC Name Change
Iowa LLC Name Change
Kansas LLC Name Change
Kentucky LLC Name Change
Louisiana LLC Name Change
Maine LLC Name Change
Maryland LLC Name Change
Massachusetts LLC Name Change
Michigan LLC Name Change
Minnesota LLC Name Change
Mississippi LLC Name Change
Missouri LLC Name Change
Montana LLC Name Change
Nebraska LLC Name Change
Nevada LLC Name Change
New Hampshire LLC Name Change
New Jersey LLC Name Change
New Mexico LLC Name Change
New York LLC Name Change
North Carolina LLC Name Change
North Dakota LLC Name Change
Ohio LLC Name Change
Oklahoma LLC Name Change
Oregon LLC Name Change
Pennsylvania LLC Name Change
Rhode Island LLC Name Change
South Carolina LLC Name Change
South Dakota LLC Name Change
Tennessee LLC Name Change
Texas LLC Name Change
Utah LLC Name Change
Vermont LLC Name Change
Virginia LLC Name Change
Washington LLC Name Change
West Virginia LLC Name Change
Wisconsin LLC Name Change
Wyoming LLC Name Change
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.