Change LLC Name in Wisconsin

Can I change the name of my LLC in Wisconsin?

Absolutely! You can easily change your Wisconsin LLC name.

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

The filing fee for the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin is $40.

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 new business 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 Wisconsin?

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

It costs $40 to change your LLC name in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin LLC name?

In order to change your LLC name, you must file the Articles of Amendment with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). This officially updates your legal entity (your Limited Liability Company) on the state records.

Note: The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions – Division of Corporate and Consumer Services 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.)

Our instructions focus on how to change the LLC’s name. If you want to make other changes, like the LLC’s mailing address, or to change a trade name (DBA), you’ll need to use a different process.

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 name change Amendment filing in Wisconsin can be confusing and time consuming, many people choose to hire a company for help.

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

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

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 business name in Wisconsin.

To avoid that, look up your desired Wisconsin LLC name ahead of time using the state’s business entity search. Your new LLC name should be different from all existing Wisconsin business names.

Step 2: File the Wisconsin LLC name change form

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

(It’s called this because you’re amending your Wisconsin Articles of Organization. When you file Articles of Organization, your Wisconsin LLC is created.)

How to file the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin

Get started

Go to the DFI Online Filing page for the Articles of Amendment (Form 504),

The landing page tells you information you’ll need and how to use the online filing system.

There’s nothing to do here, just click Start to begin the filing.

Name of Limited Liability Company

First, you’ll look up your LLC’s record.

Enter the first word or two of your LLC’s name in the Entity Name field and click Search Records.

Find your LLC in the search results and click the Select link next to it.

Click Next to continue.

Entity Name Amendment

Click the box to indicate that the Amendment will amend the name of the limited liability company.

The Name of the LLC is amended to be:
Enter the desired new LLC name.

Make sure to include an allowable designator (ending). In Wisconsin you can use these designators:

• LLC (most common)
• L.L.C.
• Limited Liability Co.
• Limited Liability Company

Skip to Drafter or Make Other Changes

If you’re only changing your LLC’s name, you will simply click the Next button on the following screens. You don’t need to do anything on these pages and can skip ahead to the page titled “Drafter“.

Otherwise, if you need to make other changes to your LLC’s information, click the boxes and make changes as needed.

You can use this online filing system to change:

• Registered Agent Name
• Registered Agent Address
• Principal Office Address

Other Provisions

Leave this blank.

Most people skip this, unless their business attorney gave them language to put here.

If you’re only changing the LLC name, you don’t need to enter anything extra here.

Drafter

This document was drafted by:
Enter your name here. (Drafter just means “filer”.)

Signature

Enter your Title:

• If you’re an LLC Member (owner) and the LLC is Member-managed, enter Member
• If you’re an LLC Manager and the LLC is Manager-managed, enter Manager
• If you’re not a Member (owner) or Manager, but have been authorized to file on the LLC’s behalf, enter Authorized Agent

If you’re not sure, or these terms are confusing, check out LLC Officer Titles and Member-managed vs Manager-managed LLCs for more information.

Enter today’s date.

Check the box to agree to the terms.

Then type your name to electronically sign the filing.

Click Next to continue.

Delayed Effective Date

Most people leave this blank.

If you leave this blank, your LLC name change will be effective when it’s approved by the Secretary of State.

Alternatively, you can select a specific date up to 90 days in the future. In that case, your LLC’s name change will be effective on that date.

Click Next to continue.

Contact Information

Enter your contact information.

Don’t worry, this won’t go on public record. The Secretary of State will use this email address or phone number to contact you if they have any questions about your Amendment filing.

Summary

Review the information you’ve entered and check for typos. Click Edit to go back and make changes, if needed.

When everything looks good, click Submit to proceed with the filing.

Your Shopping Cart

Click Proceed to Checkout.

DFI Payment Details

Choose your payment type (credit card or e-check) and click Continue to proceed to the payment system.

Enter your billing information and payment details, then submit your filing to the state.

Wait for approval from the DFI

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

Approval times vary, but on average, it takes 5 business days for your Wisconsin business name change to be approved.

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

Step 3: Change your Wisconsin LLC name with the IRS

After your new LLC name is approved, the next step is to update your Wisconsin 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 WI Department of Revenue

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

Note: In most states, it’s called the Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation. In Wisconsin it’s called 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

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has an Address Change Guide to help you get started. But the process can differ depending on your business activities, 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 Wisconsin LLC name with the IRS and Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin 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: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Professions List.

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 clerk on the Wisconsin Association of Counties 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

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.