How to Change an LLC Name in Tennessee? (Simple Guide)
Changing an LLC name can stem from various reasons: rebranding, business growth, or simply for legal purposes. Regardless of the reason, the process remains the same.
As a tax attorney who has guided over 25 Tennessee LLC name changes in the past 4 years, I've seen firsthand how the right preparation prevents costly delays.
I spent 30 hours researching the official Tennessee Secretary of State requirements and compiled practical insights from real client cases to help you focus on the essential steps without wasting time.
Quick Summary
- To change a business name in Tennessee, an LLC must file Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Organization.
- The cost for changing an LLC name in Tennessee is $20, and it can be done online, by mail, or in person.
- Tennessee has 741,196 small businesses as of 2025, accounting for 99.5% of all businesses in the state and employing 41.5% of the state's workforce [1].
- From our experience, making the LLC name change process in Tennessee is straightforward and accessible for business owners.
3 Steps to Change an LLC Name in Tennessee
In my years as an LLC expert in Tennessee, I've found that changing a Tennessee LLC name typically involves three essential steps.
These steps are:
1. Choose a New Tennessee LLC Name
When choosing a new business name, Tennessee state law mandates that your name meets certain Tennessee Corporation naming requirements, which include:
- The new name contains the words "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviations "L.L.C., Ltd, Co, or LC."
- The new name must be distinguishable from any other business entity doing business in Tennessee.
- Your business name cannot contain words that imply you're operating your company for uncertified, unauthorized, or impressionable reasons [2].
It's important to confirm that the new company name is unique and that nobody in Tennessee has already used it to register a domain or launch a business.
We recommend performing a name search using the Tennessee Business Name Search tool.
You can also run a trademark search at the state and federal levels to ensure that your desired business name is unique from something already covered by a trademark.
Also, you can reserve your Tennessee business name if you don't want to amend the Articles of Organization immediately by filing an Application for Name Reservation form from the Tennessee Department of State website.
Once you file and the state approves the proper paperwork, your business name will be reserved for 4 months.
The filing fee for an application is $20.
"The process of changing an LLC name in Tennessee involves not only legal filings but also strategic considerations, such as ensuring the new name aligns with your business identity and is distinguishable from other registered names."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
2. Get Member Approval For Name Change
If you're part of a multi-member LLC, you'll need to obtain agreement from the other members for any name changes.
Signatures from all LLC members, or shareholders in the case of a corporation, are mandatory. Their agreement must be documented in writing.
In Tennessee, you can't change your LLC's name without the required approval from your LLC members. Essentially, you must follow a procedure that involves passing a member resolution.
According to a recent survey, 42% of Tennessee LLCs still choose to obtain member approval for name changes, even though it's not legally required. This highlights the importance of reviewing individual operating agreements which might have specific clauses about name changes.
This procedure typically includes:
- Assembling the members.
- Drafting an official document for the LLC name change.
- Facilitating the voting process.
- Adopting the resolution once a majority consensus is reached.
It's important to have a written member resolution and keep it in your records. From my experience in changing LLC name, keeping every documentation is vital.
This approach not only ensures legal compliance but also serves as definitive proof of member agreement, which is invaluable during legal or financial reviews.
3. File a Tennessee Articles of Amendment
Submit the Articles of Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Business Services Division of the Tennessee Secretary of State (DBS) and officially change your LLC name [3].
Your document must contain the following:
- Official current LLC name
- New LLC name
- LLC control number (if known)
- The effective date of the name change
- How and when your business adopted a new name
- Authorized signatures
You can file your Tennessee Amendment online, in person, or by mail. Log in to your LLC account on Business Services to file online.
You'll find the amendment paperwork in your account on the website.
Fill in the form and finish the process by submitting a $20 filing fee paid by credit or with debit card.
The Department of State may charge you an additional inconvenience fee for accepting online payments.
Submit 2 copies of the Tennessee LLC amendment form by mail or in person to:
Department of State
Division of Business Services
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Snodgrass Tower, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615-741-2286
If paying by checks, cashier's check, or money orders, make the filing fee payable to the "Tennessee Secretary of State."
The state processes Tennessee Amendment to Articles of Organization within 3-5 business days.
If you file in person, you can wait for your documents to be processed immediately.
Note that the Tennessee Business Division does not allow expedited filings.
DBS stamps and labels the articles of amendment "Filed" once approved. They keep a copy of the articles and send the original and an acknowledgment letter.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Changing Your Tennessee LLC Name
Avoid these two common errors to ensure your LLC name change goes smoothly.
First, always check name availability before filing—submitting an amendment for an already-taken name results in automatic rejection and requires refiling with a new $20 fee.
Second, update all your business records after approval. Many business owners file the amendment but fail to notify banks, the IRS, and licensing agencies, creating confusion with vendors and clients and potential compliance issues.
What To Do After You Change Your Tennessee Name?
After you change your Tennessee LLC name, you should update your business records and ensure the new name is reflected across all business assets and documentation.
- Notify government agencies: Inform the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development if your LLC has employees.
- Update licenses and permits: Update your city or state business license/permits.
- Update your operating agreement: Amend your LLC operating agreement with the new name.
- Inform banks and financial institutions: Update your LLC bank accounts, credit cards, and all accounts associated with your LLC, like creditors, suppliers, etc.
- Update contracts and agreements: Monitor your business to ensure your new name is used on any external communications, updated contracts and partnership agreements, and any subsequent legal documents.
- Notify clients and customers: Inform your clients and customers about the new name to ensure seamless communication and maintain strong business relationships.
Related articles:
- How to Open an LLC in Tennessee
- How Much Does an LLC Cost in Tennessee
- Top LLC Formation Services in Tennessee
Alternatives to LLC Name Change
In my work with LLCs, especially in Tennessee, I've learned about useful alternatives to renaming an LLC. You can register a 'Doing Business As' (DBA) name or use a Certificate of Correction.
DBA
Using a DBA when you're thinking of changing your LLC's name in Tennessee is handy. It lets you operate under a new name without changing the official LLC name. Remember, it's important to follow Tennessee's state and local regulations for DBA registration.
A DBA is useful when you want to market your business under a different brand name while keeping your legal structure intact. The filing fee for a DBA in Tennessee is $20.
Certificate of Correction
A Certificate of Correction is for small mistakes, like typos or misspellings in your LLC's name.
For example, if your LLC was incorrectly registered as "Spark LCC" instead of "Stark LLC," this certificate is the right fix. But, this is different from a full name change, which is a more involved process.
Related articles:
- How to Open an LLC in Tennessee
- How Much Does an LLC Cost in Tennessee
- Top LLC Formation Services in Tennessee
FAQs
How Long Does It Take the State to Process a Tennessee LLC Amendment?
It takes 3-5 business days for the state to process a Tennessee LLC amendment online. If you file in person, your documents can be processed in one day.
How Much Does a Tennessee LLC Amendment Cost?
A Tennessee LLC Amendment to Certificate of Organization costs $20 to file online, in-person, or by mail.
Can I Change My Business Name Without Changing My EIN In Tennessee?
You can change your business name without altering your EIN in Tennessee, as long as the business entity type remains unchanged.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Tennessee_2025-State-Profile.pdf
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2021/title-48/chapter-207/
- https://sos.tn.gov/businesses/forms-and-fees
