How to Change Your Business Name
Changing your business name means filing an Articles of Amendment with your state, notifying the IRS, and updating your licenses and records. Here's how to do it step by step.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
Yes, you can change your business name — but it takes more than picking a new one. You'll need to file an Articles of Amendment with your state, notify the IRS, and update your licenses, bank accounts, and internal records. The steps vary slightly by entity type and state, but the core process is the same.
Check name availability before you file
Before filing anything, check that your new name is available in your state and doesn't conflict with an existing trademark. Your state's Secretary of State database shows whether the name is already taken by another registered business. If it's clear there, run a search through the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System to check for federal trademark conflicts.
A thorough search covers your state's business entity database, federal trademarks, state trademarks, and a quick domain name check. Skipping this step and filing first is a mistake that comes up often — if the state rejects your amendment because the name is taken, you'll pay the filing fee again to resubmit.
File an Articles of Amendment with your state
To officially change your business name, you need to file an Articles of Amendment — sometimes called a Certificate of Amendment — with the Secretary of State in the state where your business is registered. This is the document that updates your official state records to reflect the new name.
Processing times vary by state. Standard filings can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Most states offer expedited processing for an additional fee if you need the change reflected faster. If your business is registered in more than 1 state, you'll need to file the amendment separately in each state.
Notify the IRS and update your tax records
A name change doesn't mean you need a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) — as long as your business structure and ownership stay the same, your existing EIN carries over. What you do need to do is notify the IRS of the change by filing Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business.
A new EIN is required only if the business undergoes a structural change — for example, converting from a sole proprietorship to a partnership, or becoming a subsidiary of another business. A simple name change with no ownership or structure change doesn't trigger that requirement.
Update your licenses, permits, and accounts
Once your state amendment is approved, the name change needs to flow through every place your old business name appears. This step takes more time than the filing itself, and it's the part most business owners underestimate.
- Business bank accounts and payment processors — contact your bank directly to update the name on your account
- Federal, state, and local business licenses — each issuing agency requires a separate amendment or notification
- Industry-specific permits (food service, alcohol, health, etc.) — these are issued by separate agencies and each one needs to be updated independently
- Contracts and vendor agreements — update the business name in any active agreements where the old name appears
- Website, email, and marketing materials — update your domain, email addresses, and any public-facing materials that carry the old name
Update your internal documents
Your state filing updates the public record, but your internal governance documents need to match. For an LLC, that means amending your operating agreement to reflect the new name — especially if the agreement references the business name directly. Member approval is typically required to amend an operating agreement.
For a corporation, the bylaws typically include the business name and need to be amended after the state approves the name change. Internal documents that still carry the old name can create confusion in contracts, banking, and audits — so it's worth updating them before the old name fades from memory.
Not ready for a full name change? Consider a DBA
If you want to operate under a different name without changing your official registered name, a DBA — Doing Business As — is a lighter-weight option. A DBA lets you use a trade name for marketing, signage, and customer-facing purposes while your legal entity name stays the same.
This works well if you're adding a new product line, testing a brand before committing to a full rename, or running multiple brands under one entity. A DBA doesn't change your legal name, your EIN, or your state registration — it just gives you a recognized trade name to use in public. If you want to drop the "LLC" from your everyday business name, a DBA is the standard way to do it.
FAQ
Yes. You can change the name of an LLC by filing an Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State in the state where your LLC is registered. Once the state approves the amendment, the new name is official. You'll also need to update your operating agreement, notify the IRS using Form 8822-B, and update your licenses and accounts.
Start by checking that the new name is available in your state's business entity database and doesn't conflict with a registered trademark. Then file an Articles of Amendment with your Secretary of State. After approval, file Form 8822-B with the IRS, update your operating agreement, and update your licenses, bank accounts, and any contracts that reference the old name.
Generally, no. A name change alone doesn't require a new EIN as long as your business structure and ownership stay the same. Your existing EIN carries over. You do need to notify the IRS of the name change by filing Form 8822-B. A new EIN is only required if the business changes its structure — for example, converting from a sole proprietorship to a partnership.
It depends on your state. Standard processing for an Articles of Amendment can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Most states offer expedited processing for an additional fee if you need the change reflected faster. After the state approves the amendment, updating your IRS records, licenses, and accounts adds more time on top of the state filing.
A business name change updates your official registered name with the state — it's a permanent legal change. A DBA (Doing Business As) lets you operate under a trade name without changing your legal entity name. A DBA is a lighter option if you want to use a different name for marketing or run multiple brands under one entity, without going through the full amendment process.
Yes, your official registered name must include the LLC designator — typically "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" — as required by your state. But you don't have to use it in everyday customer-facing contexts. Filing a DBA lets you operate under a trade name that drops the LLC designation for signage, marketing, and public use, while your legal name stays on file with the state.
After your state approves the amendment, update your IRS records using Form 8822-B, your operating agreement or bylaws, your business bank accounts, your federal and state licenses and permits, any industry-specific permits, active contracts and vendor agreements, and your website and marketing materials. If your business is registered in more than 1 state, you'll need to file the amendment in each state separately.
