To change an LLC name you file articles of amendment with the state where the LLC was formed, pay the state fee, then tell the IRS and your bank. The fee is $25 in Florida, $60 in Wyoming, $150 in Texas and $220 in Delaware. You keep the same EIN: the IRS says an LLC does not need a new one when it changes its name.
Key takeaways
- A name change is made with articles of amendment (Texas and Delaware call it a certificate of amendment) filed with your formation state.
- State fees: Florida $25, Wyoming $60, Texas $150, Delaware $220. New Mexico files online and shows the fee in its portal.
- The IRS says an LLC does not need a new EIN when it changes its name or location.
- You must tell the IRS in writing or on your next return, depending on how the LLC is taxed.
- If you only want to trade under a different name, a DBA can do that without changing the legal name.
How do I change the name of my LLC?
Check that the new name is free in your state, get the members to approve it, file articles of amendment with the state and pay the fee. When the state returns the filed amendment, send it to the IRS, your bank and your payment providers so every record shows the same name. The state filing is the step that makes the new name legal.
- 1
Check the new name
Search the state business register to confirm no other company has the name, and make sure it ends in "LLC" or another ending the state allows. Our company name search and the guide on how to name your LLC explain the rules.
- 2
Get member approval
Follow your operating agreement. Write a short consent that states the old name and the new name, and have the members sign it.
- 3
File the amendment with the state
Enter the exact current name and state file number, write the new name, sign and pay the fee. Your state filing page shows whether you can file online or by mail.
- 4
Tell the IRS
The EIN stays the same, but the IRS must be told about the new name. The section below shows how.
- 5
Update everyone else
Send the filed amendment to your bank and payment providers, then update your operating agreement, website, invoices and contracts.
How much does it cost to change an LLC name?
The cost is the state fee for the amendment: $25 in Florida, $60 in Wyoming, $150 in Texas and $220 in Delaware. New Mexico takes the filing only through its online portal, which shows the fee when you file. These fees are for standard processing and do not include card or portal convenience fees.
| State | Form | State fee | Where to file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Articles of Amendment | $60 | Secretary of State |
| New Mexico | Articles of Amendment | Shown in the portal | enterprise.sos.nm.gov, online only |
| Delaware | Certificate of Amendment | $220 | Division of Corporations |
| Florida | Articles of Amendment to Articles of Organization | $25 | Sunbiz |
| Texas | Certificate of Amendment (Form 424) | $150 | Secretary of State |
For every other state, our amendment cost calculator shows the official fee and form. If you would like us to prepare and file it, see the LLC amendment service.
Do I need a new EIN if I change my LLC name?
No. The IRS page on when to get a new EIN lists "change your name or location" among the cases where an LLC does not need a new one. Your EIN, your tax filings and your bank account all continue. What changes is the name on the IRS record, and you have to ask for that.
How you tell the IRS depends on how the LLC is taxed. The IRS gives these rules on its business name change page:
| How the LLC is taxed | How to report the new name |
|---|---|
| Single member LLC taxed through its owner | Write to the IRS at the address where you file your return. The owner or an authorized representative signs the letter. |
| LLC with two or more members, taxed as a partnership | Mark the name change box on Form 1065 (page 1, line G, box 3). If the return for the year is already filed, write to the IRS, signed by a partner. |
| LLC that elected to be taxed as a corporation | Mark the name change box on Form 1120 (page 1, line E, box 3). If the return is already filed, write to the IRS, signed by a corporate officer. |
The common mistake is changing the name with the state and stopping there. If the state, the IRS and the bank show different names, payments and bank reviews can be held up. Update all three together, and keep the filed amendment as proof.
Can I use a new name without amending my LLC?
Yes, with a DBA, which stands for "doing business as". A DBA lets the LLC trade under another name while its legal name stays the same. It suits a new brand or a second product line. If you want the legal name itself to change on contracts, tax records and the state register, you need the amendment.
Read DBA: doing business as to compare the two. A foreign owned single member LLC keeps filing Form 5472 every year under whatever its legal name is on the IRS record.
Starting a new company instead?
If you are changing the name because the business itself is changing, forming a new LLC with the right name from day one can be simpler.
How long does an LLC name change take?
It depends on the state and on how you file. In Wyoming a mailed filing can take up to 15 business days after it arrives. Some states sell faster service for an extra fee: Delaware offers same day and 24 hour service. Plan the change before a launch or a rebrand, and do not print new material until the state has returned the filed amendment.
After the state approves it, allow more time for the IRS and your bank to update their records. Ask the state for a certificate of good standing in the new name if your bank or a payment provider wants proof.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and IRS contact details change, so check the official source or ask a professional for your situation.