How to Change Your Georgia LLC’s Name

Posted August 2, 2022 • • 4 Minute Read

1. Choose your new LLC name

When choosing a new name for an LLC in Georgia, certain rules apply. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §14-11-207, an LLC is required to contain certain words or abbreviations, and must be distinguishable from any other company certified to transact business in Georgia. In addition, Georgia limits LLC names to 80 characters at maximum, including spaces and punctuation.

How can I tell if my LLC name is distinguishable?

You can use the Georgia Secretary of State – Corporations Division’s Business Search to see if your intended name is in use.

What words are required or restricted for a Georgia LLC name?

In Georgia, an LLC name must contain the words “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company,” or the abbreviations “Ltd.,” “Co.,” “LLC,” “LC,” “L.L.C.,” or “L.C.” The state also restricts certain words, like those pertaining to insurance, banking or education (see Georgia’s rules on restricted names).

Can I reserve my LLC’s name?

Georgia provides a means to reserve a name for up to 30 days, via a Name Reservation Request form, which you can file by mail ($35) or online ($25) through eCorp. However, when changing a name for an active LLC, it’s probably easiest to simply file Articles of Amendment.

2. File Georgia LLC Articles of Amendment

To officially change your business name, file a Georgia Form CD 115 – Articles of Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Corporation Division. You will need to provide the following information:

The LLC’s original name
Its Georgia control number
Date the Articles of Organization were originally filed
The new name of the LLC
Effective date the Articles of Amendment will apply (if not effective immediately)
Signature and printed name of an authorized person—LLC organizer or member, manager, court-appointed fiduciary, or attorney-in-fact
Date of signature
Authorized person’s email address

Need to know more? Read more about How to File a Georgia LLC Amendment.

How do I submit my Articles of Amendment?

You can file your Georgia LLC’s Articles of Amendment online, in person, or by mail.

Online: eCorp

In Person or By Mail:
Corporations Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

How long does it take for Georgia to process my Articles of Amendment?

Normal processing takes 7-10 business days for online filings, while paper filings take about 15 days after receipt by the Corporations Division. The state also cautions that, due to the increased volume of filings received, end-of-year and end-of-quarter periods can have slower turnaround.

How much does it cost to file Georgia Articles of Amendment?

When filing online, Articles of Amendment cost $20. If filing a paper form, the fee is $30. Make checks or money orders payable to “Secretary of State.” If you’d like to pay for two-day expedited service, add $100. Same day expedited service costs $250 extra, and for one-hour expedited processing, you’ll have to pony up a whopping $1,000 on top of your basic filing fee.

3. Update the LLC’s name with tax authorities

Next, you’ll need to let the IRS know about the name change. How you contact the IRS depends on the way your LLC is taxed:

Sole proprietorship/disregarded entity: Write the IRS to inform them of the change.
Partnership: Mark the name change box (Page 1, Line G, Box 3) and write your new name on Form 1065 when you file taxes.
S-corp: Mark the box on Form 1120-S (Page 1, Line H, Box 2).
C-corp: Mark the box on Form 1120 (Page 1, Line E, Box 3).

If you’ve already filed taxes for the year, you’ll need to write the IRS at the same address where you filed your return and inform them that your business name has changed.

Do I need a new EIN after changing my LLC’s name?

No worries there! Your old EIN is still valid after a name change.

Do I need to notify the Georgia Department of Revenue?

Yes, the Department of Revenue needs the LLC’s updated name. Fortunately, you can simply update the business name yourself in your Georgia Tax Center account. After submitting the edited name, your name change request will be pending with a confirmation number. Name changes in the Tax Center may take several days to process.

4. Update the LLC name wherever you use it

Finally, you should update your business name everywhere you use it, including:

Business permits/licenses
Business documents like your Georgia operating agreement
Marketing materials, websites, and social media

Learn more about How to Change Your Business Name.

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