There are reasons people change their business names. Some change their business names when they want to rebrand the business, while some change theirs when they want to have a fresh start. Whatever reasons you may have, there are some guidelines you need to consider.
Though changing your business name in Florida is an easy process as long as you follow the instructions given by the regulating authority. Changing your business name requires obtaining the authority to change the name. To do that, you will be required to file the Articles of Amendment to Articles of Organization along with a filing fee of $25.00.
If you run an LLC, and you have a minimum of two members in the company, you will be required to review your operating agreement. This is to confirm if you have the authority to change your articles of organization.
After confirming your eligibility to change the name of your company, you will be required to bring your records up to date with the Division of Corporation of the State of Florida. Note that the authority to change the name of the business may be granted by a resolution of the members of the management team.
Steps To Follow If You Want To Change Your Business Name In Florida
Step One: Obtain the Required Form
Before you start your business, you must obtain the required forms for changing your business name, then review all the instructions:
- Log in to the Sunbiz website and search for the “Forms and Fees” tab.
- Click “Florida” under “Limited Liability Company (Florida and Foreign)”
- Under the “Florida LLC Forms,” click on “Amendment (PDF)” to access a form called the Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Organization.
Step Two: Filing the Articles of Amendment
The next step is to file the Articles of Amendment. Here are the steps to follow;
- Complete the cover letter with your Company’s details
If you are finding it difficult to achieve this, you can search the Subiz website for the resources required for your cover letter and other relevant information.
2. On page one of the application in section A, you will see a line that shows, “If you want to amend a name, you will need to enter the new name of the Limited Liability Company where it is stated on the website.” Then, you enter the new name of your limited liability company, and it must include the words (Limited Liability Company) at the end of your company’s name.
Check the Sunbiz website to confirm whether the business name you want to use is available.
- In case you don’t have any other changes to make, leave the space blank without filling in anything.
- Make sure you have an Authorized Representative or a Member of the limited liability company to sign and date the last page.
- You are required to print the signed and dated document and mail it with a $25.00 check to:
Registration Section
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, Florida 32314
You will get an acknowledgment letter in your mailbox after the Amendment has been worked on by the Florida Department of State. You may want to confirm by searching your company records on Sunbiz and you can do this by inputting your limited liability company’s name. You can also have a quick preview of any changes made on your profile.
Things to Avoid When Naming a Business in Florida So You Won’t Need to Change It
The following are some points to consider in other to get your new business name right;
Don’t Use Your Name
It may look nice to use your name as your business name, but the truth is that you might just expose yourself to challenges in the future. There may come a time when you may want to sell the business or invite other investors to partner with you. Note that you can hardly find an investor who would want to buy a business that is named after someone else.
Make Sure The Domain Name is Available
Another factor to consider when changing a business name is to make sure the new name can be used as your domain name. So before settling for a new business name, search online to be sure the domain name is available. Note that if you have a business with a domain name that belongs to someone else, you can be creative with your domain name.
Ensure That The Business Name You Choose is Easy to Pronounce and Spell
If you want your new business name to be remembered, choose a name that is easy to spell and can be pronounced. In this era where people are immersed online, you should make sure that people will not be confused about the right spelling of your business name. Consider the number of clients you will lose if they find it difficult to search your business online.
Avoid Choosing a Business Name That is Similar to Businesses in Your Industry
Another factor to consider when deliberating on a new name for your business is to choose a name different from your competitor’s name. If you choose a similar name to an established brand, it will be termed counterfeit and you can be sued for it.
Avoid Using Abbreviations
Avoid using abbreviations, and make sure the business name is catchy and has things that people can relate to. Anything short of that might not make your brand sell as fast as you want because people like it when they can tell what a business does from its name. Note that people usually find it difficult to remember abbreviations because they have a lot on their minds.