Change Alabama LLC name

Last updated on December 19, 2022

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
Tool screenshot

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.

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.

  • Mail form PPT

    PDF

  • Must file form BPT-V if you're not paying electronically

    PDF

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

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