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As a Michigan LLC owner, you may need to change your business name for various reasons.
We are experts at dealing with legal entities, and we have done so for several businesses, including our Michigan LLC and Michigan corporation, so we are aware of the process and changes to make to formation documents.
Follow our step-by-step guide to change your LLC name in Michigan successfully.
When changing your Michigan LLC name, you will need to follow certain steps and rules to complete the process successfully.
While choosing a new name as a business owner may sound simple, it may involve more steps than you know.
When choosing a new name to put on your Articles of Organization, you must meet the following requirements:
Before filing paperwork to change the name on your LLC Articles of Organization, you must do some research.
During our process, we verified that our desired new name met the Minnesota naming requirements.
We also searched with the Regulatory Affairs Online Filing System to verify if there were any similar names to our new LLC name [1]. According to the National Business Registry, this precaution is taken by approximately 60% of entrepreneurs to ensure their chosen name stands out and minimizes legal risks.
Once we had a name, we filed a name reservation form with Michigan to save it for six months.
The application fee is $25 and you can pay extra for expedited services.
In our case, we paid an additional $100 for a 24-hour processing.
You can pay $200 for same-day processing, $500 for two-hour processing, and $1000 for one-hour processing [2].
See our article about the cost of an LLC in Michigan.
"The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees LLC formation and administration, including handling name changes."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
To obtain member approval for an LLC name change in Minnesota, first convene a meeting or organize a formal decision-making process as outlined in your LLC's Operating Agreement.
During this meeting or process, present the proposed name change to all members and discuss any potential implications or reasons for the change.
Finally, secure the necessary votes or written consents from the members according to the requirements specified in your Operating Agreement, ensuring that the decision to change the name is made in compliance with your LLC's governance rules.
Once you have all the things needed to change your LLC name, you can file your Certificate of Amendment with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
You can submit it via mail, in person, or online using the Corporations Online Filing System. According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, nearly 75% of such filings are completed online, underscoring the system's efficiency and user preference.
The fee is $25 regardless of the filing method, and the same expedited service fees apply.
After you have officially changed your company name and paid your filing fees, there are still a few additional steps to take to keep doing business under your new name.
Update your business name on the following:
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In Michigan, if you're considering alternatives to changing the name of your LLC, you have two main options: registering a "Doing Business As" (DBA) or filing a Certificate of Correction.
Here's how you can proceed with each:
Registering a DBA (Doing Business As):
A DBA allows your LLC to operate under a different name without changing its official legal name.
In Michigan, this process involves filing a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
You need to search for name availability, fill out the Certificate of Assumed Name form, and pay the required fee.
Remember, a DBA is not a legal name change for your LLC; it's an additional name under which your company can do business.
Filing a Certificate of Correction:
This option is used if there's an error (like a misspelling or typographical error) in your original LLC documents filed with the state.
To correct this, you can file a Certificate of Correction with Michigan LARA.
This involves completing the Certificate of Correction form, describing the error, and submitting it along with the required fee.
It's important to note that this method is only for correcting mistakes in your original filing, not for changing your LLC's name for other reasons.
Does Your Michigan Business Need A New EIN If You Change Your Name?
No, changing your Michigan business name doesn't require you to get a new EIN. Generally, a business only needs a new EIN when the ownership of the business or business structure has changed.
Can Your Brand Name Be Different Than Your Business Name In Michigan?
Yes, your brand name can be different than your business name in Michigan. The brand name is the name you use on your marketing materials, and it is common for a business to use one or more names that are different than its official name. However, you will want to ensure your customers know both names to prevent confusion.
References:
About The Author
Certifications: J.D/Tax LL.M, Tax M Education: California State University, Northridge Lives in: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDelina Yasmeh, J.D./Tax LL.M, is a distinguished expert in Mergers and Acquisitions with a notable tenure at 'Big Four' firms Deloitte and PwC. Specializing in high-stakes transactions, she has managed multi-billion-dollar deals with precision.
A graduate of California State University with a B.S. in Accountancy, she furthered her expertise at Loyola Law School, earning her Juris Doctorate and Tax LL.M. Delina's profound knowledge in tax law is backed by her robust educational and professional background.
Delina Chantel Yasmeh, J.D./Tax LL.M, specializes in Mergers and Acquisitions at Deloitte and PwC, managing billion-dollar transactions. Educated in Accountancy at California State University and holding advanced degrees from Loyola Law School, she is highly skilled in tax law. Delina also dedicates time to pro bono work for women and children.
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LJ Viveros has 40 years of experience in founding and scaling businesses, including a significant sale to Logitech. He has led Market Solutions LLC since 1999, focusing on strategic transitions for global brands. A graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Communications, LJ is also a distinguished Matsushita Executive alumnus.
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