How to Change Your Business Name in Alabama: A Guide

Any entrepreneur must make a big decision if they decide to change their company name. You could desire to rename your business or decide that your prior name no longer accurately describes what you do. Whatever the cause, Alabama business owners must take specific measures to guarantee a smooth transition. You must first determine whether Alabama accepts the selected business name. You can do that by conducting a website search for the Alabama Secretary of State. There, you can use a Business Entity Search tool to see if the name you want is already in use or not. You can move forward with the name change procedure if it is accessible.

The Alabama Secretary of State’s office must receive a Name Reservation Request before proceeding. This step is essential since it makes sure that no one else will be able to use your desired name while you are altering it. The Name Reservation Request is available online or by mail for a fee of $28.

You must submit Articles of Amendment to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office after your new name has been reserved. This form adjusts your company’s name in state records and informs the state that your business name is changing. Articles of Amendment can be filed online or by mail for a $50 filing fee.

You must amend your business name on all legal papers, including licenses, permits, contracts, and bank accounts, after your Articles of Amendment are approved. Additionally, you should update your website, social media accounts, and marketing materials and inform your clients, suppliers, and partners of the name change.

In Alabama, you can register a fictitious name, commonly known as a DBA (doing business as), instead of a trading name, to address the relevant questions. In order to achieve that, submit a Certificate of Formation to the Secretary of State’s office in Alabama. It is feasible to register a name as a trademark even if you don’t have a business since trademarks safeguard your brand’s identity in the marketplace, and if you don’t utilize the name in commerce, you risk losing your trademark rights. Using the previously described Business Entity Search tool, you can determine whether Alabama allows for the use of your LLC name. Last but not least, you can perform a search on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website or order a Business Entity Report that contains the name, address, and registered agent details of the organization.

In conclusion, there are a few processes involved in changing your business name in Alabama, including checking to see whether the name is available, reserving the name, filing Articles of Amendment, and revising legal and promotional materials. It’s crucial to understand Alabama’s laws governing trading names, trademarks, and LLC names as well as how to determine a company’s ownership. You can make sure that your company’s name change is effective by adhering to these rules.