How to Change Your Montana Business Name

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How to Get a New Business Name in Montana

Choose a new business name
Gather information for filing your amendment
File your Montana amendment

Is it time to change things up? A new business name can be a great way to restart or re-brand your Montana company. Unfortunately, you can’t just start calling your business something else and assume that will be enough. Your legal business name should be reflected on all formal documentation.

When determining how to change a business name in Montana, it is important to think through which documents made your company an official legal entity. Your formation documents are the best place to start.

You were probably hoping to avoid more paperwork, but the good news is that we can handle this part for you with our Amendment Filing Service. The filing is the part that makes it official, but here are some other things to consider when determining how to change a business name in Montana.

How to Get a New Business Name

Here are some steps that help take the hassle out of your business name change in Montana.

1) Choose a new business name

When choosing a new business name, take into account all Montana naming regulations for your LLC or corporation. For an LLC in Montana, your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.). The name cannot be confusing or misleading.

These stipulations are similar for corporations. Their names must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” an abbreviation of one of these terms, or words or abbreviations of similar meaning in another language.

It is essential to ensure that no one else is already using the name you have chosen. It also can’t be too similar to any other names. Use our Business Name Checker to make sure you can use the name you’ve chosen. We can also help you Reserve Your Business Name until you are ready to use it.

2) Gather information for filing your amendment

After you have decided on a name, or at least come up with a few options to choose from, follow all procedures outlined in your LLC operating agreement or corporate bylaws to make sure shareholders, board of directors, or members are all in agreement.

Whether you are filing an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation for a Corporation or an Amendment to the Articles of Organization for a Limited Liability Company, a lot of the information you need will be similar.

Current company name
Text of the amendment that needs to be changed (new name)
Date of the original filing
Date the name change was adopted
Whether it was adopted by shareholders, incorporators, or board of directors
The filing fee
Name, signature, and contact information of the presiding officer

Failure to provide accurate or complete information can result in having to re-submit your amendment form. This means more time and money before your business name change in Montana is complete.

3) File your Montana amendment

Submit your completed document to the Montana Secretary of State. Processing takes approximately one to two weeks for an amendment. However, you can request expedited service.

Submit your amendment document in person, via mail, or online. Again, this is something we are more than happy to take off your plate with our Amendment Filing Service.

After You Change Your Business Name

The fun doesn’t stop after your business name change in Montana is filed. You are also responsible for updating all other documents and business account information. This may include:

Montana Annual Report: This is a report that is required every year to ensure that the state has all the correct information for your business.
Assumed Business Name (DBA): If you are operating under a different name, you will have to update your assumed business name with the Secretary of State.
State and Federal Tax Identification: Update your legal name with the IRS so it is reflected on your tax information.
Business Licenses: Update federal, state, or local business licenses or permits. Montana does not have a general business license.
Bank Accounts: Update company financial accounts with your new legal name.
Marketing Materials: Update marketing collateral, advertisements, labels, and anything else that displayed your old name.

Reach out to vendors and business partners that you work with regularly. Let them know of your name change and whether they will need to write or accept checks under the new name.

Making Your Name Change Happen

Now that you understand more about how to change a business name in Montana, you can decide whether you want to take on the task or have us lend a hand, so you can focus on all the other things you have to do. We know that running a business can get overwhelming because there is so much to remember.

Our Worry-Free Compliance Service can help keep you on track so you can stress less about trying to remember everything. This service even includes two annual amendments and support if you ever fall out of good standing. And if you’re still in the early stages of forming your business and don’t have an entity chosen yet, our Montana LLC and Montana Corporation Formation Services can get you up and running fast.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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FAQs

What's the difference between a doing-business-as (DBA) name and business name?
A business name is the official name of your business. This is the name on all of your formation documents. A DBA or assumed business name is a name your company goes by. This is usually the name you use to market your business.
Do I have to change my business name if I have a DBA name?
The general purpose of a DBA is to maintain the official business name while having the ability to use a different name. If the only reason to change a business name in Montana is to use a different name, you may consider registering a DBA instead.
How do I register my business name in Montana?
Follow all Montana business naming regulations for your business entity when choosing a name. Check that the name is not currently being used or similar to the name of an existing business. Register the name with the Secretary of State when you file your formation documents or as an amendment in the case of a name change.
How many amendments can I make to my business?
Amendment documents allow for multiple amendments at one time. As long as they are properly filed, you can make as many amendments as needed.

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