How to Change Your Maine Business Name

How to Get a New Business Name

If you want to change a business name in Maine, you need to do some prep work. We break down the general steps for you below. 

1.) Choose a new business name

Your business structure set-up has some bearing on choosing a new business name. In Maine, each business structure has its own unique naming requirements.

LLC naming rules include:

• Your new company name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.C., L.C., LC).
• Your new name can’t fraudulently suggest a connection to a public institution
• Your new name can’t contain obscene language
• Your name can’t encourage violent or illegal activity
• The Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions must approve the inclusion of any of the following words in your name: savings, savings bank, bank, banker, banking, trust, trust company, trust, and banking company, and credit union (or any plurals or variations)
• Like many states, you must pick a name that can be distinguished from other existing businesses in the state

Corporation naming rules are much the same as LLC rules but also provide that your business name can’t imply your corporation is organized for an unlawful purpose or one that isn’t outlined in its articles of incorporation.

2.) Gather information for filing your amendment

You need to report all significant changes to your LLC or corporation to the state.If you plan to change an LLC or corporation name, you will need to amend your business’s formation documents. Doing so will ensure the name change is legal.

When you change the name of your Maine LLC, you must file a Certificate of Amendment. Submit the proper form to the Secretary of State to let them know you want to change the company name. For LLC Amendments, you must provide the following:

• Name of the company
• Formation date
• Exact text of each amendment
• Authorized signature
• Contact information

If you want your Maine Corporation to conduct business under a new name, you must file Articles of Amendment. Corporations must provide the following:

• Name of the company
• Adoption date
• Exact text of each amendment
• Manner of approval
• Authorized signature
• Contact information

Once you send your Amendment and pay a filing fee, The Secretary of State will take 5-10 business days to process your documents. You can also request expedited service by paying an additional fee.

3.) File your Maine amendment 

You can file your documents by mail or in person at the Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC, and Commissions, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101. Depending on your business setup, different fees will apply.

We can also file your Maine LLC and Corporate Amendments for you with our Amendment Service.

After You Change Your Business Name

Once you know how to change a business name in Maine, be sure to follow up by changing your old business name to its new one on all your business documents, marketing materials, and online platforms. Doing these things as soon as possible assures your customers know you’re still open for business.

Don’t forget to change your business name on all licenses and permits. Contact the offices associated with those permits to learn how to change your business name on their forms.

The IRS will need to know about your business name change. The IRS has different criteria for different types of businesses, so be sure to visit the IRS website for specific requirements. 

If you have a website, you may need a new domain name. Contact your website administrators and ask them to redirect your site to your new domain if you use one.

We can help

If you want to change your business name in Maine, we can help. We can even turn your business into an LLC or corporation with our Maine LLC Formation Service or our Maine Corporation Formation Service.

If your name change necessitates a new web presence, we can register your new domain name and help keep your new business is legally compliant using our Worry-Free Compliance Service.

Changing your business name doesn’t have to be a hassle. Whatever your business needs, we’re here to make it easier every step of the way!