How To Change an LLC Name in Nebraska? (Full Guide)
As an LLC manager based in Nebraska, you may need to change your entity name during the business's existence.
When the time comes, it's wise to comprehend which paperwork to file with the Nebraska Secretary of State.
To help you navigate the filing process, we worked with our team of certified business specialists who've been in the LLC industry for over sixteen years.
We spent three weeks researching the Nebraska Secretary of State's website for the correct LLC name amendment documents.
Here's everything you should know about changing an LLC name in this state.
Quick Summary
- To change an LLC name in Nebraska, you must submit an Amended Certificate of Organization to the Secretary of State.
- It costs $30 to change a business name in Nebraska by mail and $25 to complete the process online.
- The Nebraska Secretary of State allows business owners to change their entity names online, by mail, or in person.
3 Steps To Change an LLC Name in Nebraska
Here are the steps to change your LLC name per the state rules.
1. Choose a New Nebraska LLC Name
When changing a Nebraska business name, you must first select a new name that adheres to the state guidelines.
The new name must meet the following Nebraska naming requirements:
- The words "Limited Liability Company" or one of the acronyms, "LLC" or "L.L.C," must appear in your Nebraska business name.
- Avoid restrictive terms, like "university" or "bank," that can call for you to have a licensed professional, such as a professor or an accountant, as a member of the LLC.
- The name must be unique and distinguishable from other business entities.
- You cannot use terms like Treasury or FBI, which might lead consumers to mistake your company for a state or federal entity.
To check if the Nebraska LLC name you want is available, search the company name on the Secretary of State name database website [1]. As a business owner, you can also use this tool to register your business's DBA or trade name.
After the general name search, you must ensure your Nebraska LLC name doesn't conflict with another company's trademark or service mark.
Conducting an online trademark search is the simplest approach to ensure you are not infringing.
You can even register the trademark on your own or hire professional services to do it on your behalf if it isn't currently in use.
2. File a Name Reservation Form
Anyone who intends to conduct business in Nebraska may reserve an entity name by mail; there's no online filing option.
By submitting a Nebraska Application for Reservation of Corporate Name form, you stop another entity from using that name while your hold is in effect to conduct business there [2].
Download an "Application for Reservation" from the official Nebraska SOS Forms and Fees page. Proceed to fill out the form with your desired name and street address.
After verifying the details and attaching the filing fee, mail two copies of the Application for Name Reservation form to:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94608
Lincoln, NE 68509
It costs $15 to complete the process, and the Secretary of State takes 1-2 business days to process the request.
Once your name reservation is approved, the entity name is held for 120 days. Note that you can't renew your reservation if you don't update your new LLC name within that 120-day timeframe, so plan before you file your application for reservation; otherwise, you risk losing that name to someone else.
If you want to transfer your reservation to another entity, you can file a "Transfer of Reserved Name" form and pay a $15 fee. This won't extend the reservation; it simply changes the owner.
3. File a Nebraska Amended Certificate of Organization
To change your LLC name legally, you must file and submit a Nebraska Amended Certificate of Organization to the Secretary of State online, by mail, or in person [3].
This state Nebraska LLC amendment document can also be used to amend other details of your LLC, including the business street address, name, and address of your registered agent service.
Start by downloading the Nebraska LLC Amended Certificate of Organization online, filling it out, signing it, then printing it for mail submissions. If you are filing online, you must scan and upload it on the SOS portal once you sign the form.
When filling out the Nebraska LLC Amendment form for a limited liability company, you must include the following details:
- The old name of the limited liability company
- Date of filing
- The new Nebraska business name
- Effective date
- Name and signature of an authorized officer (director, registered agent, attorney, or LLC member)
Before submitting the Nebraska LLC amendment form, attach the $30 filing fee as a check or money order payable to the Secretary of State.
Mail the completed Amended Certificate of Organization to the following state’s office address:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94608
Lincoln, NE 68509
The SOS takes 2-3 business days to process the amended certificate.
What To Do After You Change Your Nebraska LLC Name?
After you change your Nebraska LLC name, you must update the new name in different areas of your business.
These include the following:
- IRS: Update your new legal business name with the IRS so that they'll change the names attached to your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- Revenue Department: Per Nebraska law, you must file Form 22 and update the Department of Revenue so that the new name appears correctly on your tax returns.
- Trade name: You must submit an Application to Amend Trade Name Registration if you are conducting business under a name other than your legal entity name.
- Business licenses: Nebraska has no standard state-wide need for business licenses. But if you have federal, state, or local licenses, you should update the new name with the relevant regulating bodies.
- Nebraska Biennial Report: You must submit a Nebraska LLC biennial report every other year to ensure the state has the most recent details about your business.
- Bank: Contact your bank and other financial institutions to update your new name on your business accounts, credit cards, and checkbooks.
- Update all marketing materials: These include your business social media pages, signage, emails, logos and labels, and other items that still bear your old name.
- Update your business entity attorney and other partners on your new name.
Related articles:
- How to Form an LLC in Nebraska
- Premium LLC Formation Services in Nebraska
- Cost of an LLC in Nebraska
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Change an LLC Name in Nebraska?
It takes 3-4 business days to change an LLC name in Nebraska by mail and 1-2 business days if you do it online. This accounts for the time the SOS takes to evaluate, approve, and mail stamped copies of your Nebraska Amendment of Certificate of Organization to your registered agent service.
How Much Does It Cost To Change an LLC Name in Nebraska?
It costs a $25 filing fee to change an LLC name in Nebraska online on the Secretary of State website. If you complete the process by mail, it costs $30.
Do You Need Help Changing Your Nebraska LLC Name?
A Nebraska LLC name change requires submitting the correct amendment forms with the SOS, and if you don't know how to do so correctly, your application will be rejected.
Thankfully, IncFile offers an affordable and professional amendment service that you can purchase to help change your business name correctly.
Apart from filing your Nebraska amendment paperwork, this dependable LLC service offers additional benefits needed to manage a business in Nebraska, including unlimited phone and email support, free registered agent service for a year, a payroll tax calculator, legal or tax advice from local attorneys, and much more.
References:
- https://www.nebraska.gov/sos/corp/corpsearch.cgi?nav=search
- https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/sos.nebraska.gov/files/doc/231-1932_0_7.1.2021_1.pdf
- https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/sos.nebraska.gov
/files/doc/Form%20Amended%20Articles%20of%20Organization%20LLC_7.01.2021.pdf
