How to Change a Business Name in Florida
Whether you are buying a business and want to change the name or you simply want to change the name of an existing business, Florida makes the name change process easy. The state has online forms you can complete to make the change official, including updating business ownership if there is a new owner. Along with completing your official name change forms with the Division of Corporations, be sure to update your business name with the taxing authority and with any licensing agencies.
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Instructions
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Changing a business name
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Go to the Florida Division of Corporation's website and access the forms section. The form you select will depend on whether you are changing the legal business name, the fictitious name or both. The fictitious name is also known as a DBA.
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Select and complete the form "Articles of Amendment" if you are changing the official name of a for-profit Florida corporation. Just as with the original corporate registration, a new business name may not duplicate or be significantly similar to the name of an existing corporation. The effective date for the name change can be up to 90 days after you file the amendment.
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Select and complete the form "Amendment" if you are changing the name of a Florida limited liability company (LLC). The new name may take effect no later than 90 days after filing and may not duplicate the name of an existing LLC.
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Select and complete the form "Application for Registration of Fictitious Name" if you are changing the business' fictitious name or changing ownership of the fictitious name to a new business. There is no form that allows you to amend or change an existing fictitious name, so any new name is simply a new registration.
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Print and file the appropriate forms you completed to change the name of your Florida business. You may either mail or hand-deliver the forms to the Florida Department of State. Be sure to include the appropriate filing fee for each form.
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Check the Florida Division of Corporation's website or wait to receive official written confirmation that your business name has been changed prior to using the new name. It is against Florida law to use a new business name before it has been officially registered.
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References
- Florida Department of State: Articles of Amendment
- Florida Statutes: Section 607.1006, Articles of Amendment
- Florida Department of State: Amendment
- Florida Statutes: Section 608.411, Amendments to or restatements of articles of organization
- Florida Department of State: Application for Registration of Fictitious Name
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