{"id":4831,"date":"2021-08-09T10:43:55","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T15:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/how-to-change-the-name-of-your-llc.html"},"modified":"2025-10-22T22:51:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T03:51:00","slug":"how-to-change-the-name-of-your-llc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/how-to-change-the-name-of-your-llc.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Change the Name of Your LLC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Change the Name of Your LLC<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

An LLC <\/span>name change<\/span> is a formal, legal process of altering your business name<\/span> as listed in your business\u2019s formation documents with the Secretary of State<\/span>. This process involves filing a name change<\/span> amendment with the state which is different than registering a fictitious name or DBA<\/span> (doing business as) name.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Maybe you feel like it\u2019s time for a change, or perhaps you want to make sure that your business name<\/span> reflects changes you have already made within your small business<\/span>. There are many reasons for considering an\u00a0LLC (limited liability company<\/span>)<\/a>\u00a0name change<\/span>. Before you begin the process, you might want to ask yourself a few questions.<\/p>\n

What do you hope to accomplish by changing the name of your LLC? Can you achieve your goals with a\u00a0DBA<\/span> (“doing business as”) name registration<\/a>? Are you prepared to change your business name<\/span> on business cards<\/span>, signage, and bank accounts<\/span>? Changing the legal name<\/span> of your business entity<\/span> takes time and money, so small <\/span>business<\/span> owners<\/span> should consider all of your options.<\/p>\n

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DBA<\/span> Name vs. Name Change<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re considering a name change<\/span> for marketing reasons, there might be a solution for you other than changing the name of your LLC<\/a>. You might wish to register a fictitious name for your business. To do this, you will need to create and register a “Doing Business As” (DBA<\/span>) name.<\/p>\n

Registering a DBA<\/span> name can be easier and cheaper than changing the name of your business entity<\/span>. Owners of an LLC<\/a>, sole proprietorship, or corporation may choose to register a DBA<\/span> name because it allows them to conduct business under a name other than the legal business name<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Owners of LLCs and corporations can look to their formation documents for their legal business names<\/span>. The legal business name<\/span> for an LLC<\/a> is typically the name listed on the Articles of Organization<\/span>. Alternatively, the legal business name<\/span> for a\u00a0corporation<\/a>\u00a0is usually the name listed on the Articles of Incorporation<\/span>.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0sole proprietors<\/a>, the legal business name<\/span> for their company is their own name. Unlike owners of LLCs and corporations, sole proprietors do not have to file paperwork with the state to form their business.<\/p>\n

If you register either a\u00a0trade name<\/span>\u00a0or an\u00a0assumed name, the legal name<\/span> of your LLC won\u2019t change. You will be able to conduct business under the new name<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Steps To Take Before You Change Your Business Name<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several steps that you might take before you start filing paperwork. First, you\u2019ll probably want to do a\u00a0name availability<\/span> search<\/a>\u00a0to ensure that the name you would like to use is available. Depending on laws in your state, you may not be able to pick a name that is already registered to another LLC.<\/p>\n

Next, take a look at the formation documents for your organization. Your\u00a0LLC operating agreement<\/span><\/a>\u00a0may contain rules about changing the name of the legal entity. In some cases, approval from the members of the LLC is necessary for a name change<\/span>. The members of the LLC may have voting rights when it comes to naming changes for the organization.<\/p>\n

If you need approval from LLC members<\/span> for the name change<\/span>, make sure to make a written resolution and keep it for your records. If your LLC operating agreement<\/span> does not contain any rules for changing your organization\u2019s name, look for any state or local reporting requirements<\/span> that may apply.<\/p>\n

How To Change Your LLC Name<\/h2>\n

Once you have a resolution or agreement from the members of the LLC, you should file paperwork with the appropriate state agency. The state must approve the amendment to your Articles of Organization<\/span> to use the new name<\/span> as your legal business name<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The steps for changing the name of your LLC are as follows:<\/p>\n