How to Change Your Arkansas Business Name

How to Get a New Business Name

Not sure how to change a business name in Arkansas? Follow these 3 simple steps to help you get started. 

1. Choose a new business name

The first step toward changing your business name is to choose a new name for your entity. While this may sound simple, there are a few important things to take into consideration. 

Specifically, the new name you select must: 

• Contain certain words or phrases to indicate the legal entity structure of your business (e.g., “limited liability company,” “LLC,” “corporation,” “corp.,” etc.)
• Be distinguishable from names of other businesses operating and registered within the state 
• Not imply that your business is set up for a prohibited purpose

With so many businesses operating within the state, doing your initial due diligence check can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to simplify this process. 

For example, you can do a preliminary check for available business names directly on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website. You can also use our Business Name Checker to more easily determine whether your desired new business name is available. 

2. Gather information for filing your amendment

Next, it’s time to gather any pertinent information you’ll need to file your amendment paperwork. Such information will include: 

• The current name of the business
• The desired new name of the business
• Date the original formation documents were filed
• Date of adoption of the amendment

Gathering all this information in advance can save crucial time later on when you’re finally ready to file. For a full list of the information you’ll need to include in your amendment, you can check the specific Certificate of Amendment form for your type of business entity.

Importantly, a Certificate of Amendment isn’t limited only to business name changes. You can use a Certificate of Amendment to change many other things about your business such as the registered agent name, mailing address, and other information contained within your initial formation documents. 

3. File your Arkansas amendment

Once you have all the information you need, you’re ready to file your Arkansas Certificate of Amendment with the state. This will allow you to complete your business name change in Arkansas. 

You can file your completed amendment paperwork electronically using the Arkansas Secretary of State Corporations Online Filing System. You’ll also need to pay the requisite filing fee along with your submission. 

To determine what this fee will be before filing, check with the Office of the Secretary of State for the most current filing fees. 

After You Change Your Business Name

It’s important to remember, however, that there are a few additional steps to take even after filing your amendment paperwork. 

For example, make sure you also update your new business name on: 

• Your website
• Marketing materials for your business
• Any business bank accounts, loan paperwork, or other important legal documents

By taking these steps and informing your customers of your name change, you can better prevent confusion regarding your business while also keeping your business in legal compliance with the state.

We can help

Figuring out how to change a business name in Arkansas can feel overwhelming at times. However, we’re here to help the process feel as smooth and seamless as possible.

When you’re ready to complete your business name change in Arkansas, we can help with our Amendment Filing Service. And if you still need assistance getting your business off the ground, we can help with that too. 

With services like our Arkansas LLC Formation Service, our Arkansas Corporation Formation Service, and even our Worry-Free Compliance Service, we have all the tools and resources you’ll need to help you start, manage, and grow your business today.