By Doug Bend, founder of Bend Constabulary Group, PC , a law firm focused on small businesses and startups.

Concern owners sometimes would like to change the full legal proper noun of their California limited liability visitor (LLCs). The 3 well-nigh mutual reasons for irresolute the name of an LLC include: the products or services the LLC offers accept inverse, at that place has been a legal challenge to the proper noun or the owners have idea of a better name.

At that place are typically ten steps to changing the legal name of an LLC in California.

1. Member Resolutions

Starting time, you should review your operating agreement to see what the voting requirements are to change the legal name of the LLC. Most likely you volition demand written resolutions that are signed by the members who own a bulk ownership interest in the LLC to document that a sufficient number of the members approve of the name change.

2. Amendment To The Articles Of Organization

When you formed the LLC, you filed articles of system with the California Secretary of State's Function. Those articles included the full legal proper noun of your LLC. You lot will now need to file an amendment to the articles to modify that name.

3. Statement Of Information

One time the amendment to the manufactures of organization has been approved, you lot will need to file an updated argument of information with the California Secretary Of State's Office. This is a ane-page filing that tin can be submitted on the Secretary of Land's website.

four. Urban center Business organization Registration Certificate

You lot will also take to update the city business license to alter the legal name of the entity.

5. Fictitious Business Name Statement

If you are conducting business under a proper noun other than the full legal name of the LLC, you will need to file an updated fictitious business proper name argument with the county.

6. Publication Of The Fictitious Concern Name Statement

Once you get the endorsed fictitious business name argument back from the county, you will need to have it published in a legally adjudicated newspaper.

7. California Employment Development Office

If your LLC is running payroll for its employees, you lot volition need to update the Employment Development Function (EDD) of the name change.

8. Seller'south Permit

If the LLC collects sales tax, y'all will need to update the visitor's account with the California Lath Of Equalization. If you have any trouble, you tin can call the Lath Of Equalization at i-800-400-7115 and they will walk you through the process step-by-stride.

9. IRS

You volition need to work with your CPA to update the IRS of the LLC'due south new legal name.

10. Vendors

Lastly, yous will demand to update all of the LLC's tertiary-political party vendors. For case, yous will need to update the LLC'due south bank business relationship and insurance policies to include the new legal name of the LLC.

You should consult with your attorney as your LLC might accept different requirements, but this checklist is a good starting point for strategizing on how to change the legal name of your company. Every bit you can encounter, numerous government agencies and vendors would demand to exist updated and then you should make sure that the new name is one you love much more than than your LLC'due south current name.

The data provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter. For legal communication, you lot should consult with an chaser apropos your specific state of affairs.