FAQs
Q. What is an Article of Amendment?
A. An Article of Amendment is a document filed with your state of formation, or if applicable with any states in which your company has foreign qualified to transact business, to enact a specific change to the information included in your company’s formation or qualification documents.
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Q. Can you help me file a name amendment even if I didn’t form my company with BizFilings?
A. Even if you didn’t place your original formation order with BizFilings, we can prepare and file the necessary name amendment documents for your business in any state.
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Q. What information do I need to have before I place my order?
A. When ordering your name amendment with BizFilings, please have the following general information ready:
- Two name choices for your company
- State of formation
- Entity type
- Company name
- Formation date
- Business purpose
- Company contact information
- Director(s) name(s) & address(es) (for corporations)
- Officer(s) name(s) & address(es) (for corporations)
- Member(s) or Manager(s) name(s) & address(es) (for LLCs)
- Partner(s) name(s) & address(es) (for LPs and LLPs)
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Q. To what should I change the name of my company?
A. Choose the name of your company carefully. It is very important that you portray the image you want for your new company. Legally, the name you select must not be “deceptively similar” to any existing corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership and must be “distinguishable on the record” of your state. For example, if a corporation named 'Flower Corp.' exists in your state, you probably would not be allowed to name your business 'Flour Inc.' It is possible that the name you select is not available; therefore BizFilings asks for a second choice on the amendment order form.
Additionally, the name you choose must show your business is incorporated, an LLC, an LP or LLP. Most states require that the company name be followed by an entity ending such as "Corporation," "Incorporated,"“Limited Liability Company,” "Limited Partnership", "Limited Liability Partnership", or an abbreviation such as "Inc.," "Corp.," “LLC,” “LP,” or “LLP.” For more information regarding the requirements of each state, view the state specific facts.
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Q. How do I check the availability of the name I want to use?
A. BizFilings’ name amendment service includes a preliminary name check with the state. However, if you would like to check the availability of a desired name prior to submitting your name amendment order, BizFilings can perform a preliminary name check with the state as a stand-alone service. The fee is $25 for BizFilings to check 2 name choices.
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Q. What happens if the name choice(s) I submit are not available?
A. If the name choice(s) you have requested are not available, BizFilings contacts you for additional name options. Providing BizFilings with two name options when you place your name amendment order helps to secure a name choice and eliminates a potential delay in the processing of your order.
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Q. When do companies need to file a name amendment?
A. A company would file a name amendment if they intend to transact business under a different name other than the legal name that appears on the formation document.
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Q. Can my company conduct business under a different name without changing the name of my company?
A. If you wish, a doing business as (DBA) can be filed with the appropriate state and/or county agency in the state in which the company is formed and if applicable foreign qualified. A DBA is used if the company intends to transact business under a name other than the legal name that appears on the formation document.
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