Key Takeaways

  • You must follow specific North Carolina Secretary of State (NCSOS) naming rules when changing your business name.
  • Changing your business name requires filing Articles of Amendment with the NCSOS.
  • A separate update may be needed with the North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) for tax accounts.
  • DBA (Doing Business As) or assumed names require separate filings if applicable.
  • Conduct a name availability search and trademark check before proceeding.
  • Ensure updates to your EIN, IRS, business licenses, and banking information after the name change.
  • Processing times and fees vary based on filing method (online or mail).
  • Legal assistance may help avoid errors in the amendment process.

Do you know how to change your business name in North Carolina? Changing your business name requires certain guidelines, as outlined in the North Carolina secretary of state rules on naming your business.

What Are the Naming Guidelines in North Carolina?

The naming guidelines in North Carolina include:

  1. The name of your LLC must be distinct from that of other North Carolina business entities.
  2. The name of your North Carolina LLC must end with LLC, Limited Liability Company, or L.L.C.
  3. Your North Carolina LLC should not have a name that can be confused with that of another business operating in the state.
  4. To determine whether there is enough difference between names, you cannot claim the uniqueness of your business name using different typefaces, accents, punctuation, fonts, subscript/superscript characters, or words such as and, of, the, and others.

What Are the Prohibited Words?

You can't use the following words to differentiate your business name from another's company, corporation, incorporation, incorporated, corp., professional corporation, PC, Inc.., Co., limited, LP, L.P., Ltd, limited partnership, limited liability limited partnership, L.L.L.P, or LLLP.

For example, you are prohibited from claiming that White Fang Co., White Fang LLC, White Fang Inc., or White-Fang Incorporated are unique entities.

What Are the Restricted Words?

Some restricted words require extra documentation if you intend to add them to your business name. They include names linked to institutions, such as a bank, banking, banker, mutual, trust, co-op, or cooperative, as well as words associated with specific professional fields, such as architect, architecture, architectural, engineer, engineering, insurance, surveyor, survey, surveying, certified public accountant, and their abbreviations.

Which Department Rejects the Application of Your Corporate Name?

If you don't provide the required documentation proving you are legally qualified to offer the service associated with a word(s), the secretary of state could reject specific names included in your business name.

Does North Carolina Allow DBA?

You can operate a business in North Carolina under a different "doing business as" name. DBA is called an assumed name in North Carolina. More information about DBA is available on the secretary of state website.

Does Filing a Name Registration Guarantee You Will Be Granted the Name?

Filing a name registration doesn't necessarily mean you will be assigned the name. Before conducting any transaction with the name, it's advisable to wait until you are sure of your LLC's legal status. You also need to check whether your proposed business name is not infringing on another North Carolina business's trademark or service mark.

How Do You Conduct a Trademark Search?

The simplest way to perform a trademark search is by going through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database. Otherwise, you can search the trademark registry of the North Carolina secretary of state to check if the name has already been registered.

How Do You Conduct a Search in the North Carolina Secretary of State Database?

You can search for the availability of your business name in the registry of the North Carolina secretary of state by searching for:

  • Entity name
  • Company officials
  • Officer/registered agent

What to Consider When Naming Your North Carolina Business

When choosing a business name, make sure the name:

  • Describes the operations of your North Carolina business
  • Is appealing to your target market
  • Makes finding your business easy
  • Is unique
  • Doesn't restrict your business to a specific type of product, service, or location

How Do You File a North Carolina Corporation Amendment?

If you wish to amend your articles of incorporation, download the Articles of Amendment, B-02, and Business Corporation forms from the North Carolina secretary of state website, fill them in, and send to the corporations' department in person, by mail, or online.

If you choose to file in person, you need to provide a Coversheet for Corporate Filings. You must include it, as it enables you to choose a shorter processing time and your preferred method of return.

Do You Need to Notify the North Carolina Department of Revenue?

Yes, if your business name changes, you may also need to notify the North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) to update your tax records. This applies to:

  • Sales and use tax accounts.
  • Withholding tax accounts.
  • Other business-related tax registrations.

You can typically update your name by contacting the NCDOR through your online account or by submitting a written notification. It is advisable to confirm with the NCDOR whether a formal name change notification is required for your specific tax accounts.

Steps to Change Your Business Name with the Secretary of State

To officially change your business name in North Carolina, you must file an amendment with the North Carolina Secretary of State (NCSOS). The steps include:

  1. Conduct a Name Availability Search
    Use the NCSOS business search tool to ensure your new business name is not already in use by another entity.
  2. Complete the Articles of Amendment Form
    • Corporations should use Form B-02 (Articles of Amendment).
    • LLCs should use Form L-17 (Articles of Amendment).
    • Nonprofits have a separate amendment form (N-02).
  3. Provide Required Information
    • Current business name.
    • The new name you wish to adopt.
    • Effective date of the amendment, if different from the filing date.
    • Authorized signature of an officer, manager, or member.
  4. Submit the Amendment Filing
    You can submit the amendment:
    • Online via the NCSOS online portal.
    • By mail to the Business Registration Division.
    • In person at the NCSOS office.
  5. Pay the Required Fee
    Fees vary based on entity type and filing method. Standard processing time is typically 5–7 business days, but expedited options are available for an additional fee.
  6. Wait for Confirmation
    Once processed, you will receive confirmation that your business name has been officially changed.

Where Can You Find the North Carolina Corporate Amendment Forms?

You can get North Carolina corporate amendment forms on the North Carolina secretary of state website.

What Else Should You Update After Changing Your Business Name?

After officially changing your business name, consider the following updates to maintain legal and operational compliance:

  • Update your EIN record with the IRS.
  • Revise state and local business licenses or permits.
  • Notify your business bank and update your business accounts.
  • Amend contracts, leases, and legal agreements to reflect the new name.
  • Update your website, marketing materials, and social media profiles.
  • Notify clients, vendors, and suppliers of the name change.

Failing to update these items can lead to confusion, legal complications, or payment processing issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much does it cost to change a business name in North Carolina?
    The fee for filing Articles of Amendment varies by business type. For example, filing an LLC amendment costs $50, but expedited service will incur an additional fee.
  2. Can I reserve my new business name before filing the amendment?
    Yes. North Carolina allows name reservations for 120 days. You can reserve your desired name online through the Secretary of State’s portal.
  3. How long does it take to process a business name change in North Carolina?
    Standard processing takes about 5–7 business days. Expedited options (same-day or 24-hour processing) are available for an additional fee.
  4. Do I need to notify the IRS if I change my business name?
    Yes. If your business has an EIN, you must notify the IRS of your business name change. The method of notification depends on your business type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship).
  5. What happens if my amendment filing is rejected?
    If your filing is rejected, the Secretary of State will notify you of the issue, such as incomplete information or name conflicts. You must correct the issue and resubmit the filing.

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