Q: I’m looking to change my Mississippi business name. How do I go about that?
Thank you to a client from Mississippi for that great question! To change your LLC name in Mississippi, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State. You’ll also need to update the IRS and internal and public documents. Let’s go through each step of changing your LLC name.
1. Meet Mississippi LLC Name Requirements
Once you and any other LLC members have agreed on a new name, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Amendment with the state. Your new name must match the Mississippi name requirements outlined in the Mississippi Limited Liability Company Act. Your new LLC name must:
- Be unique in the state
- Contain the entity identifiers “limited liability company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.,”
- Not contain any restricted words like “bank,” “insurance,” “partnership”
To check your new name’s availability, use the Mississippi Business Search.
Learn more about forming an LLC in Mississippi.
2. File a Mississippi LLC Certificate of Amendment
To file a Mississippi LLC Certificate of Amendment to change your business name, you’ll need to sign in through the Mississippi online business portal. From there, you’ll be able to file online or print out your amendment and mail it. The fee to file your LLC amendment is $50. If your LLC operates in multiple states as a foreign LLC, you’ll need to file amendments and notify each state as per their guidelines.
Learn more about filing a Mississippi Certificate of Amendment.
How do I file a Mississippi Certificate of Amendment?
File your Mississippi Certificate of Amendment either online or by mail.
Online:
Business Services Amendments
By mail:
Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State
Business Services Division
700 North Street P.O. Box 136
Jackson, MS 39205-01360
How much does it cost to change my LLC name in Mississippi?
It costs $50 to file your Mississippi Certificate of Amendment and change your LLC name.
How long will Mississippi take to process my Certificate of Amendment?
The processing time for your Mississippi Certificate of Amendment depends on how you file. Online filings take about 24 hours. For mailed-in Certificate of Amendments, it takes about 2-3 days for the state to process your forms.
3. Update the IRS to your name change
Updating the IRS is a crucial step after you’ve filed your amendment with the state. You need to inform the IRS of your LLC name change using the form designated for your tax classification. If your LLC is taxed as an S-corp, you’ll need to file Form 1120-S (Page 1, Line E, Box 3). LLCs with C-corp election must file Form 1120 (Page 1, Line H, Box 2).
4. Update your LLC operating agreement
Once you’ve notified all the necessary government agencies, update your Mississippi Operating Agreement. Your operating agreement is an internal document that isn’t filed with any state or federal agencies. You will, however, need to get member approval if your LLC has multiple members. Make sure your operating agreement has the new name on file, possibly with a record of when you made the amendment with the state.
5. Update your LLC marketing materials
The final step you’ll need to take to change your LLC name in Mississippi is to update your public facing materials. You’ll also need to inform your clients, vendors, employees, any local agencies, and customers of the new change, so they aren’t surprised or confused.
You’ll want to make sure to update:
- Advertisements you may have running
- Business cards or other printed promotional material
- Email, online bios, and other signatures
- Signage on any buildings or websites