How To Change An LLC Name In Michigan? (Step by Step Guide)
As a Michigan LLC owner, you may need to change your business name for various reasons.
We are experts at dealing with legal entities, and we have done so for several businesses, including our Michigan LLC and Michigan corporation, so we are aware of the process and changes to make to formation documents.
Follow our step-by-step guide to change your LLC name in Michigan successfully.
Quick Summary
- To change your LLC name in Michigan, you will need to find a new business name, file a Certificate of Amendment with a $25 filing fee, and update any other channels.
- When choosing a new business name, ensure that the name is available, unique, and includes "LLC" or "limited liability company."
- According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, about 75% of LLC name change filings are submitted online, highlighting the system's efficiency.
- After you formally change your name with the state, I remind you that you also need to change your name on marketing materials, formation documents, and more.
3 Steps To Change Your Michigan LLC Name
When changing your Michigan LLC name, you will need to follow certain steps and rules to complete the process successfully.
1. Choose A New Michigan LLC Name
While choosing a new name as a business owner may sound simple, it may involve more steps than you know.
When choosing a new name to put on your Articles of Organization, you must meet the following requirements:
- The name must contain words such as limited liability company or LLC.
- The new name must be unique from any other active business registered with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
- The name must not contain words or phrases that imply the company is organized for another purpose other than what is given by the Commercial Licensing Bureau.
- You can check if your LLC name is being used in Michigan by checking the Corporations Division website at www.michigan.gov/corpmarksearch. Your business can also send in a request for the search of Michigan registered marks by mail to the Corporations Division.
Before filing paperwork to change the name on your LLC Articles of Organization, you must do some research.
During our process, we verified that our desired new name met the Minnesota naming requirements.
We also searched with the Regulatory Affairs Online Filing System to verify if there were any similar names to our new LLC name [1]. According to the National Business Registry, this precaution is taken by approximately 60% of entrepreneurs to ensure their chosen name stands out and minimizes legal risks.
Once we had a name, we filed a name reservation form with Michigan to save it for six months.
The application fee is $25 and you can pay extra for expedited services.
In our case, we paid an additional $100 for a 24-hour processing.
You can pay $200 for same-day processing, $500 for two-hour processing, and $1000 for one-hour processing [2].
See our article about the cost of an LLC in Michigan.
"The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees LLC formation and administration, including handling name changes."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
2. Get Member Approval For Name Change
To obtain member approval for an LLC name change in Minnesota, first convene a meeting or organize a formal decision-making process as outlined in your LLC's Operating Agreement.
During this meeting or process, present the proposed name change to all members and discuss any potential implications or reasons for the change.
Finally, secure the necessary votes or written consents from the members according to the requirements specified in your Operating Agreement, ensuring that the decision to change the name is made in compliance with your LLC's governance rules.
3. File A Michigan Amendment Certificate
Once you have all the things needed to change your LLC name, you can file your Certificate of Amendment with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
You can submit it via mail, in person, or online using the Corporations Online Filing System. According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, nearly 75% of such filings are completed online, underscoring the system's efficiency and user preference.
The fee is $25 regardless of the filing method, and the same expedited service fees apply.
What To Do After You Change Your Michigan Business Entity Name?
After you have officially changed your company name and paid your filing fees, there are still a few additional steps to take to keep doing business under your new name.
Update your business name on the following:
- Inform banks and financial institutions: Alert banks and financial institutions about your Michigan business's name change to ensure continuity in financial operations.
- Update your operating agreement: Modify your LLC's Operating Agreement to include the new name, aligning your internal records with your registered business name in Michigan.
- Notify clients and customers: Communicate the new name to your clients and customers, maintaining trust and clarity in your business relationships in Michigan.
- Notify government agencies: Report your business name change to the necessary government agencies in Michigan to keep your legal and tax records current.
- Update contracts and agreements: Revise your business's contracts and agreements to reflect the new name, ensuring all legal documents are accurate and up-to-date in Michigan.
- Update licenses and permits: Adjust any licenses and permits with your new business name to comply with Michigan regulations and maintain your legal operating status.
Related articles:
- How to Set Up an LLC in Michigan
- How Long Does It Take to Form an LLC in Michigan
- Premium LLC Formation Services in Michigan
Alternatives to LLC Name Change
In Michigan, if you're considering alternatives to changing the name of your LLC, you have two main options: registering a "Doing Business As" (DBA) or filing a Certificate of Correction.
Here's how you can proceed with each:
Registering a DBA (Doing Business As):
A DBA allows your LLC to operate under a different name without changing its official legal name.
In Michigan, this process involves filing a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
You need to search for name availability, fill out the Certificate of Assumed Name form, and pay the required fee.
Remember, a DBA is not a legal name change for your LLC; it's an additional name under which your company can do business.
Filing a Certificate of Correction:
This option is used if there's an error (like a misspelling or typographical error) in your original LLC documents filed with the state.
To correct this, you can file a Certificate of Correction with Michigan LARA.
This involves completing the Certificate of Correction form, describing the error, and submitting it along with the required fee.
It's important to note that this method is only for correcting mistakes in your original filing, not for changing your LLC's name for other reasons.
FAQs
Does Your Michigan Business Need A New EIN If You Change Your Name?
No, changing your Michigan business name doesn't require you to get a new EIN. Generally, a business only needs a new EIN when the ownership of the business or business structure has changed.
Can Your Brand Name Be Different Than Your Business Name In Michigan?
Yes, your brand name can be different than your business name in Michigan. The brand name is the name you use on your marketing materials, and it is common for a business to use one or more names that are different than its official name. However, you will want to ensure your customers know both names to prevent confusion.
References:
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/online-services
- https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/cscl/Folder5/540_08-15.pdf?rev=fccf450b0204423597baffdb3b5ad2dc
