Start a Business in Alaska
How to Change Your Alaska Business Name
Throughout the course of running your business, you’ll undoubtedly make several changes. In some cases, you may even want to change the name of your business. If you need to make a business name change in Alaska but aren’t sure how to get started, we’re here to help. Use our guide below to learn more about how to change a business name in Alaska and the key steps you’ll need to take.
Starts at $0 + Alaska state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes
If you’re ready to move forward and change your business name in Alaska, we can do the heavy lifting for you. Use our Amendment Filing Service so that you can focus on running and growing your business.
How to Get a New Business Name
Before you proceed with officially changing your business name, it’s important to understand the process generally. Here are three crucial steps you’ll need to take to get a new business name in Alaska.
1. Choose a new business name
First, make sure to conduct a thorough name search to verify whether any other Alaska business entities are already using your new desired name.
Under Alaska Business License statutes AS 43.70, there are no restrictions on how many business entities may register the same business name. Thus, there may be multiple businesses operating under the same name.
Nevertheless, a business can obtain exclusive rights to use a business name for five years. The state won’t prevent you from registering the same name, but the other business may seek a court order to stop you from using it. Thus, it’s still a good idea to choose a name that isn’t already in use to prevent confusion and increase your potential business prospects in the future.
Use our Business Name Checker to help you brainstorm and find the right name for your business.
Additionally, don’t forget to use an appropriate entity indicator in your business name based on the type of entity structure you select. For example, if your business is registered as a limited liability company (LLC), you must use an indicator like “LLC” or “limited liability company” in your name.
2. Gather information for filing your amendment
Next, it’s time to gather the information you’ll need to file your amendment to make your name change. Most of this information will be listed in the Articles of Amendment form for an LLC or Corporation, respectively.
Below is some of the information you’ll need to have ready:
- Name of the entity currently on record
- Business mailing address
- Alaska Entity Number
- Date your entity formation documents were originally filed
- The new amended article, including your new name, in full
Your Articles of Amendment must also be signed by a member, manager, or attorney-in-fact for the business. Thus, make sure someone will be available for signature before filing the document.
3. File your Alaska amendment
Once you have all the information you need, you’re ready to file your Alaska amendment with the state. You can file your amendment paperwork by mail, in person, or by fax with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing.
When you want to change your business name, it’s important that you do so properly and promptly. While you can always do so yourself, we can make the process feel like a breeze and help you reduce the risk of potential mistakes and oversights. Let us help you make your business name change as quickly and efficiently as possible with our Amendment Filing Service.
After You Change Your Business Name
After you change the name of your business, there are a few additional steps to take.
This includes updating any other legal documents to reflect the name change for the business. It’s also a good idea to update any other information that includes your business name, like your bank accounts, business loan documents, website, and marketing materials.
We can help
For something as important as changing the name of your business, you want to do it right. Use our Amendment Filing Service today and get your business name change squared away.
If you’re still in the business development stage, we can help with that too with our Alaska LLC Formation Service and our Alaska Corporation Formation Service. We can even help you keep your Alaska business compliant with federal and state requirements after the formation process is complete with our Worry-Free Compliance service, which includes two free amendments per year.
No matter what you need, we can help you start, manage, and grow your business today and into the future.
Alaska Business Name Change FAQs
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Your official business name is the legal entity name that will be on file with the state once you register your business.
However, your DBA name, also known as a trade name or fictitious name, isn’t your business’s registered legal name.
Rather, filing a DBA allows you to conduct business under another name that isn’t your official registered entity name.
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No, you don’t have to change your official business name if you have a DBA name. It’s very common for businesses to register a DBA name and not change their legal entity name.
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To register your business name in Alaska, you’ll first want to check the state business records to determine whether any other entities are using the same name.
Alaska law doesn’t restrict how many entities may operate under the same name within the state.
However, if no others are currently registered under your preferred name, you may still want to file a Business Name Registration to obtain an exclusive right to use that name for 5 years.
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Currently, there is no limit on the number of amendments an entity may make to its business.
However, it’s typically best not to make too many amendments too close together in time.
Try not to make additional amendments until your previous ones have been processed.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information 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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