How to Change Your LLC Name (2026 Guide)
Last Updated May 1, 2026 by the LLCForge Editorial Team. Verified against current state filing data and official Secretary of State sources.
Changing your LLC’s name is more common than most owners think. Rebrands, partner splits, and pivots all push businesses to file new paperwork with their state. The document you’ll need is called Articles of Amendment, and filing it is just step one. You also have to update the IRS, refile your BOI report with FinCEN within 30 days, and refresh every bank account, contract, and license tied to the old name. Skip any of those, and you risk bounced payments, tax notices, or a $500-per-day FinCEN penalty.
Typical state filing fee: $25 to $200, depending on your state
Processing time: 1 to 4 weeks for most states; expedited options available in many
Required form: Articles of Amendment (exact name varies by state)
Federal updates needed: IRS notification (free) and FinCEN BOI update within 30 days (free)
Not the same as a DBA: A name change rewrites your LLC’s legal name; a DBA just lets you operate under a different name
When You Need a Legal Name Change (vs a DBA)
A legal name change updates the official name on file with your Secretary of State. After it’s processed, your LLC’s registered name is the new one, and that’s the name that appears on contracts, bank accounts, tax filings, and lawsuits. The old name is retired.
A DBA, also called a fictitious name or assumed name in some states, is different. Your LLC keeps its original legal name, but you register the right to operate publicly under a second name. So “Smith Holdings LLC” can do business as “Bright Coffee” without changing what’s on file with the state. DBAs are cheaper, faster, and reversible.
Use a legal name change when you’ve fully rebranded, when the old name no longer reflects what you do, or when partners have changed and the old name causes confusion. Use a DBA when you want to launch a new product line, run multiple brands under one LLC, or test a name before committing. If you’re not sure which applies, ask whether you want the old name to disappear from official records. If yes, you need an amendment. If no, a DBA works.
How to Change Your LLC Name: 5-Step Process
1. Confirm the new name is available
Before you file anything, search your state’s business name database to make sure the name you want isn’t already in use. Most states require LLC names to be distinguishable from other registered entities, which means a tiny variation (an extra “Inc.” or a different spelling) usually isn’t enough. Your name also has to include an LLC designator like “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.”
Each state has its own rules on what counts as distinguishable. Punctuation, articles like “the” and “an,” and abbreviations are often ignored when comparing names. Run a search at /state-guides/{state}-llc-name-search/ before you commit. If your top pick is taken, have two backups ready.
2. File Articles of Amendment with your state
Articles of Amendment is the document that officially changes your LLC’s name on state records. You file it with your Secretary of State (or equivalent agency, like the Division of Corporations in some states). Form names vary: “Certificate of Amendment,” “Statement of Change,” “Amended Articles of Organization,” and others. Filing fees run from about $25 in low-cost states to $200 in higher-cost ones.
Most states let you file online, by mail, or in person. Online is usually fastest. You’ll need your LLC’s current name, formation date, state ID number, and the new name. Once the state approves it, you’ll get a stamped copy back. Save it. Banks and the IRS will ask for proof.
3. Notify the IRS of the name change
You don’t need a new EIN when you change your LLC name. Same business, same tax ID. But you do need to tell the IRS the name has changed so future notices and filings line up.
How you notify them depends on your tax classification. Multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships check the “name change” box on Form 1065. LLCs taxed as S-corps check the box on Form 1120-S. Single-member LLCs report the new name on Schedule C of their personal return. If you’ve already filed for the year, send a signed letter to the IRS office where you file, including your old name, new name, EIN, and a copy of the state-stamped amendment. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for the IRS to update your record.
4. Update your BOI report with FinCEN
Under the Corporate Transparency Act, most LLCs have to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. When your LLC’s legal name changes, you have 30 days from the effective date of the amendment to file an updated BOI report. The update itself is free, and you do it through FinCEN’s online portal.
Miss the 30-day window and the penalties get expensive fast: up to $500 per day of noncompliance, plus possible criminal penalties for willful violations. Put the deadline on your calendar the moment your state amendment is approved.
5. Update bank accounts, contracts, licenses, and branding
Once the state and federal pieces are done, work through everything else that carries the old name. Bring your stamped amendment to your bank to update the account name and signature card. Update your operating agreement to reflect the new name (a simple amendment signed by all members works). Renew or amend your business licenses and any state-issued permits.
Then move to vendors, clients, and contracts. Send a short notice that your legal name has changed but your EIN and obligations stay the same. Update your domain, email, website, invoices, contracts in progress, insurance policies, payroll provider, and any state sales tax registrations. The full transition usually takes 30 to 60 days end-to-end.
Articles of Amendment vs DBA: Choosing the Right Path
Both options let you operate under a different name, but they work differently and cost differently. Here’s how they compare:
| Factor | Articles of Amendment | DBA / Fictitious Name |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Changes your LLC’s legal name on state records | Lets the LLC operate publicly under a second name |
| Typical cost | $25 to $200 in state fees | $10 to $100, depending on state and county |
| Permanence | Permanent until you file another amendment | Often expires every 3 to 5 years; must be renewed |
| How it appears on contracts | New name is the legal signing name | Often signed as “[Legal LLC Name] dba [DBA Name]” |
| Tax impact | None to your EIN; IRS notification required | None; DBA isn’t a separate tax entity |
| Best for | Rebrands, partner changes, full identity shifts | Product lines, brand testing, multiple offerings |
Quick decision framework: if you want the old name gone from public records and from every contract you’ll sign going forward, file an amendment. If you want flexibility to run multiple brands or test a name, get a DBA. Plenty of LLCs do both at different times.
How Much Does It Cost to Change an LLC Name?
The biggest variable is your state’s filing fee. The full range across the country runs from about $25 to $200. On the lower end, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Colorado charge $25 or less for amendments. On the higher end, California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia run closer to $150 to $220 once you account for required filings.
If you use a filing service to handle the paperwork, expect another $50 to $150 in service fees on top of the state cost. Some owners also pay for an optional name reservation (typically $10 to $50) to lock down the new name for 30 to 120 days while they prep the amendment. That step is rarely required, but it’s a safety net if you’re not filing right away.
The federal pieces are free. Notifying the IRS costs nothing beyond a stamp if you mail a letter. Filing your updated BOI report with FinCEN is also free. Your real costs after the state filing are indirect: new business cards, updated marketing, a new domain if applicable, and the time to send change notices to vendors and clients.
How Long Does an LLC Name Change Take?
State processing typically takes 1 to 4 weeks for standard filings. Online filings tend to clear faster than mail, often in a few business days. Mail filings can take 3 weeks or longer in busier states. Most states offer expedited processing for an extra fee, sometimes same-day or 24-hour turnaround if you need it.
The full transition takes longer. Once your amendment is approved, plan on another 30 to 60 days to fully update banking, contracts, licenses, payroll, IRS records, and BOI. The state filing is the trigger, but the cleanup work is what makes the change real.
Find Your State’s LLC Name Change Guide
Filing fees, form names, and processing times vary by state. Pick yours below for the exact form, fee, and step-by-step instructions for filing your Articles of Amendment.
The DIY Route
- You file Articles of Amendment with your state
- You notify the IRS of the name change
- You update FinCEN BOI records (deadline applies)
- You update bank, contracts, licenses, and DBAs
- You handle marketing, domain, and brand updates
Workable if you have time and don’t mind tracking multiple deadlines.
With Bizee
- They prepare and file your Articles of Amendment
- They coordinate state-level paperwork
- You get a single point of contact for the filing
- Faster turnaround than DIY in most states
- Compliance reminders included
The simpler path. Skip the paperwork, keep your name change moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new EIN if I change my LLC name?
No. Your EIN stays the same. The IRS treats a name change as an update to the existing tax record, not a new entity. You just have to notify the IRS of the new name on your next return or by sending a letter to the office where you file.
Can I change my LLC name to anything I want?
Almost. The new name has to be distinguishable from other registered businesses in your state, include an LLC designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company,” and avoid restricted words. Words like “bank,” “insurance,” “trust,” and “university” usually require special approval. Run a name search before you file.
How fast can I change my LLC name?
Standard processing runs 1 to 4 weeks in most states, with online filings often clearing in a few days. If you pay for expedited service, some states process amendments within 24 hours. The full transition (banking, contracts, IRS, BOI) usually takes another 30 to 60 days after state approval.
What if my new LLC name is already taken?
Pick a different name or modify it enough to be distinguishable under your state’s rules. Adding a single word like “Holdings” or “Group” is sometimes enough; punctuation and articles usually aren’t. If you’re set on a specific name, check whether the holder is still active. Sometimes a name frees up after dissolution or expiration.
Do I have to update my operating agreement?
Yes. Your operating agreement should reflect the LLC’s current legal name. The fix is simple: write a short amendment stating the old name, the new name, the effective date, and have all members sign it. Keep it with your records. You don’t file it with the state.
Will changing my LLC name affect my credit or contracts?
It shouldn’t, as long as you handle the updates properly. Your EIN, formation date, and credit history all stay attached to the same legal entity. Existing contracts remain valid; you just notify counterparties of the name change in writing. Banks and credit bureaus update the account name once you provide the stamped amendment.
Is a DBA the same as changing my LLC name?
No. A DBA lets your LLC operate under a different public name while keeping its original legal name on file. A name change (Articles of Amendment) replaces the legal name entirely. DBAs are cheaper and reversible; amendments are permanent until you file another one.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.