How to Get a Certificate of Amendment to Change a Business Name

Privately-owned businesses and corporations can change their names by a vote of the board of directors. Making the name change official usually requires filing documents with the secretary of state in the states where the company is incorporated and in which it does business. Follow the typical procedures to file a certificate of amendment of a business name.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Determine the new business name. If your business is a corporation, bring it to a vote at a board meeting.
2. Call the office of the secretary of state in the states where your business operates. Ask them to check corporate and business names registered in the state. If the name you've chosen is already a registered business name, return to Step 1. If the name is available, move to Step 3.
3. Ask for the name change forms to be mailed or faxed to your company headquarters. In some states the forms are online and can be downloaded.
4. Fill out the form completely, and have the signatures notarized if required by the states in which you work.
5. File the forms and any applicable fee with the secretary of state's office. In most states, the name change becomes official within 2 to 4 weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult the appropriate secretary or secretaries of state to get the exact requirements for the state(s) in which you do business.
• In some states you can search an online database of registered names to see if the name you want is available. Check with the secretary of state's office to learn if this is available for you.