Change Alabama LLC name
You can change the name of an Alabama LLC by filing a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State. Read the step-by-step instructions below:
Official Alabama form to change LLC name
Fill up the LLC Amendment form and mail it to the Alabama Secretary of State along with a Name Reservation Certificate to change an LLC's name.
Amendment form
What is an LLC?
Limited Liability Company
LLC is a business entity in the U.S that provides limited liability to its members. It has characteristics from both corporation and sole proprietorship. LLCs are permitted under State statutes of each US state.
Limited liability
Personal assets are protected for people with limited liability when they are sued.
Corporation
A business entity that can issue shares and give limited liability to shareholders.
Members
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Sole proprietorship
Where an individual engages in business activity without formal organization.
Types of LLC
Depends on the number of members and whether it has elected to change its IRS classification.
Single-member LLC
Has only a single member. IRS considers it as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.
LLC as C-corp
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Multi-member LLC
Has two members. IRS considers it as a partnership for tax purposes.
LLC as S-corp
A special election for a maximum of 100 US shareholders.
Actions
Step-by-step instructions
How to change an LLC name in Alabama?
Check the steps below:
1. Choose a new name
Before you proceed with changing your existing LLC name, make sure to find a new LLC name that suits your business.
Ensure the name follows the state's LLC naming guidelines. See them in detail below.
You can search for possible names through the state's business entity search tool.
2. Reserve the new name
Before you amend the existing name, you must reserve a name with the state. You can do so by paying reservation fees to Alabama business services.
Reservation fee
$25
Reservation period
1 year
Once it is accepted, you will receive a Name Reservation Certificate from the Secretary of State. You will need to attach this certificate when you're amending the LLC Certificate of Formation.
3. File Certificate of Amendment
You may fill and file a certificate of amendment for the LLC with Alabama Business Services via mail along with a Name Reservation Certificate to update the state of the new name.
Filing fees
$100
Address
Secretary of State,
Business Services,
P.O. Box 5616,
Montgomery,
Alabama 36103.
4. Update your operating agreement
Make note of the name change in your operating agreement and update accordingly.
5. Update state and federal government records
Check all the government records, including tax registrations, employer records, etc and update your new name.
6. Inform your business contacts
Make sure you update your bank, vendors, customers and other related parties with your LLC's new name
Entity name
Every LLC should have a unique name in Alabama. Alabama maintains a list of names of entities in the state. Go through it to check if your chosen name is available.
Search for names
Go to the official website of the Alabama business entity tool to see if the name you want is available.
Searching fee
Free
Reservation
You can reserve a name for your LLC for a specific duration by paying reservation fees to the Alabama business services. You will have to file your LLC formation documents within this period to keep the name. Alternatively, you can directly go ahead with the LLC formation without any reservation. That's fine too.
Reservation fee
$25
Reservation period
1 year
LLC naming guidelines
The name you choose for your LLC must follow the official naming guidelines.
AC §10A-1-5.06
Visit
Here are some of the guidelines in simple language:
- 1
Must have the phrase "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C." or "LLC" as the last words of the name.
- 2
Don’t include terms that indicate that you are doing an activity that you are not authorised to do.
- 3
Your name should be ‘distinguishable’ in the Secretary of State records. Adding a punctuation or ‘the’ does not make it distinguishable.
- 4
Don’t use words that makes it seems like you are a governmental entity or has an affiliation.
LLC Annual Report
LLCs file the annual report as part of the business privilege tax return every year in Alabama.
Filing initial business tax return
Every LLC has to file the Alabama business initial privilege tax return within 2.5 months of formation in the state.
Mail it to Alabama state
PDF
Due
2.5 months after formation
File annual business tax return
For the privilege of doing business in Alabama, LLCs and other entities have to pay a business privilege tax annually in proportion to their net worth. It is to be filed when the federal tax form is due; generally on April 15th.
Address (not paying electronically)
Alabama Department of Revenue
Business Privilege Tax Section
PO Box 327320
Montgomery, AL 36132-7320
Due
April 15th
LLC elected as Corporation
LLCs that are elected as corporations file a tax return Form-CPT annually. They do not file Form-PPT (that normal LLCs file).
Frequently asked questions
Related steps in Alabama
LLC in Alabama is a powerful entity for entrepreneurs. After the formation, you may have to add a member, remove a member or change registered agents. Read how to do these actions.
Alabama LLC
Alabama LLC add member
Alabama LLC remove member