How to Change Your Kansas Business Name

How to Get a New Business Name

Changing your business name in Kansas is pretty straightforward. Of course, your company has to be already registered with the state. It isn’t necessary to reserve your new name unless you don’t plan on using it for a while and want to make sure someone else doesn’t take it. When you’re ready, you can file an amendment to either your Articles of Organization for an LLC or your Articles of Incorporation for a corporation. We break down the general steps for you below. 

1.) Choose a new business name

This is the most fun part. Choosing the right business name is essential for many reasons, but Kansas has a few naming rules that you have to follow.

• The business name can’t already be in use by another company in the state
• The name has to include the business structure abbreviation, such as “Inc” for a corporation or “LLC” for a limited liability company

We offer a Business Name Checker that can help you make sure your chosen name is unique. If you aren’t ready to use the name yet and are concerned that it may not be available later, you may file a name reservation to hold it for 120 days. At any time during the 120 days, you may file the amendment and begin using your new name.

2.) Gather information for filing your amendment

In most states, you have to gather a bunch of information about your company, like the formal company name, the date of the company was started, and the specific changes the amendment makes to the organizing documents. But in Kansas, they make it pretty easy. All you need to do is log into the name amendment website with your existing business entity I.D. number, confirm that the correct entity is displayed, and have the legal authority to change the entity name. The website does all the work for you.

3.) File your Kansas amendment

The Kansas Secretary of State allows you to file your amendment online, or you can file by mail. Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to pay a filing fee, or your amendment won’t be processed. You’ll receive an email confirmation of your request, and your new name will be active once your amendment request is filed. If you received an error message that the entity is not currently able to file online, please review the status of your business. If the entity is delinquent for any reason, you may not file an amendment until you’ve resolved outstanding issues. 

After You Change Your Business Name

After you change your business name in Kansas, that’s not the end of it. There are other things you’ll have to do to follow up on your name change. 

• You should promote your new business name so that customers aren’t confused
• Contact the IRS and make sure your company’s name is changed with them
• Update your business documents with the correct name

We Can Help

We are here to help you make your company a success from the beginning and going into the future. If you’re just starting out and not sure where to begin in creating your company, check out our Kansas LLC Formation page and our Kansas Corporation Formation page. We also help you along the way with our Worry-Free Compliance Service so that you can be sure that all of your essential filings are done correctly and on time.