How to Change Business Name in Georgia

Changing a business name can give your company a new lease on life, but following the correct legal procedures is essential to ensure a smooth transition. The name is the first identity of your business. If you run it for a while and then decide to change, you must update the new name everywhere. In Georgia, popularly known as The Peach State, the process of modifying your business name can be quite straightforward, provided you adhere to the necessary rules and regulations.

You must follow some steps and regulations while changing your business name. For example, if you start an LLC in Georgia, you must follow specific regulations the Georgia state government sets. The current population of the so-called The Peach State is 11,019,186. Changing the name of your existing business in any city (especially in the capital, Atlanta) might affect your business reputation and existing customers adversely. Hence, before you change the name of your business, make sure the decision is rightfully taken.

Technically, the process of changing your business name in Georgia involves three major steps. In this article, I have shared how to change a business name in Georgia. To learn everything about changing a business name, I recommend you read the whole article till the end.

On this page, you’ll learn about the following:

Reasons to Change a Business Name in Georgia
- Things to Consider Before Changing Your Business Name in Georgia
How to Change a Business Name in Georgia
Things to do After Filing the Georgia Amendment
FAQs

Reasons to Change a Business Name in Georgia

Rebranding: A business may want to change its name in Georgia to reflect the new brand identity, target a different market, or signify a shift in the company’s vision and goals.
Merger or acquisition: If a business in Georgia merges with or is acquired by another company, a name change may be necessary to represent the combined entity accurately.
Legal reasons: A business in Georgia may need to change its name due to trademark disputes, cease and desist letters, or other legal issues.
Expanding to new markets: If a business in Georgia is looking to expand into new regions or countries, a name change may be needed to avoid confusion with existing businesses in those markets or to appeal to a broader audience.
Negative associations: A business in Georgia may want to change its name if the current name has become associated with negative events, such as scandals or poor customer experiences.
Simplifying the name: A business in Georgia may choose to change its name to a simpler or more memorable one, making it easier for customers to remember and find.
Reflecting a change in ownership: If a business in Georgia changes ownership, the new owners might change the business name.

Things to Consider Before Changing Your Business Name in Georgia

There are a few things to consider before you change your existing business name. A business name change is a huge decision for any company. Changing the business name in Georgia frequently is neither easy nor desirable. If it is absolutely necessary to change the business name, you must consider the following points-

Legal requirements: Ensure you follow the necessary legal steps to change your business name in Georgia.
Name availability: Search the Georgia business registry to make sure your desired new name is available and does not infringe on any existing trademarks or business names.
Impact on branding and marketing: Assess how a name change will affect your existing brand identity, marketing materials, and overall company image in Georgia.
Customer perception and loyalty: Consider how your current customers in Georgia will react to a name change and whether it may cause confusion or negatively impact customer loyalty.
Costs associated with the name change: Changing your business name in Georgia may involve costs such as new signage, website updates, and reprinting marketing materials. Be sure to budget for these expenses.
Updating licenses and permits: You must update any licenses, permits, and registrations with the new business name in Georgia.
Maintaining continuity: Consider maintaining continuity with your old name during the transition period and address any potential confusion among customers and clients in Georgia.
Tax implications: Consult with a tax professional to understand any tax consequences or implications of changing your business name in Georgia.
Reputation management: Be prepared to manage your online reputation during the transition, as customers may leave reviews or comments on social media related to the business name change.

How to Change a Business Name in Georgia

Changing your business name in Georgia is not difficult, as I mentioned. But, before we start with the steps, you must know that one must follow some LLC naming guidelines while naming their LLC. Based on the type of business structure, naming guidelines may vary. Following are some of the guidelines an LLC must follow while changing the business name-

The name should be available to use
Any other business does not use the name.
The new name must include “LLC” if it is a limited liability company.
The name should not be confused with a government entity, such as banks, treasury, or any governmental organization.

Read Georgia LLC name search to learn about LLC naming if you form an LLC. Now, let’s dive into the steps to change the business name-

Step 1: Choose the New Name for Your Business

The first step is to choose a new name for your business. Many people file a DBA (Doing Business As) or a Fictitious Name before filing their business with the SOS. Later, they can change that name and get a new one when filing their business. When you decide to change the name of your business, you can search for the name to check if the new name is already taken or available for you to use.

To choose a new name, you must go through the same process you did when you first named your business. You go to the Georgia SOS, search for the name, check if the name is available to use if it is available, finalize it and proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Prepare Documents to File the Amendment

As soon as you are ready with the new business name, you must start preparing to file the Georgia Amendment. Along with the name change form, you must submit the following details,

Current business name
New business name
The entity number of the business – issued by Georgia state
Board of Directors’ approval statement (for corporations)
Information of shares (if applicable)
Signatures of members (LLC) or Shareholders (Corporation)
Georgia amendment filing fee

You must submit the above-mentioned list of details to the Georgia SOS while filing the new business name. Ensure the details you provide for the Amendment are consistent with the initial filing documents. Failing to do so might result in the cancellation of the registration.

Step 3: File the Georgia Amendment

Once everything is arranged and checked, you can file the Amendment. You must amend Georgia LLC Articles of Organization for LLC or amend Georgia Articles of Incorporation for the corporation. Remember, you must attach the name reservation form with the Amendment forms. You can file it online or by mail, whichever is available.

What Will Happen If I Change My Business Name in Georgia

You can change the name of your business in Georgia. You must file the Amendment for changing your name to the Georgia Secretary of State. The process of filing the amendment is the same for an LLC and a corporation. However, the forms are different. The forms are available on the official website of Georgia Secretary of State.

It is recommended to check if the name change is absolutely necessary. Because it can affect the whole business. In some cases, it is better to start a new Business than change the name of an existing one.
– LLCBuddy Editorial Team

Things to do After Filing the Georgia Amendment

As soon as you are done with the filing process, you must update the new business name in other areas as well. Following are some points to consider after you change your business name in Georgia-

Legal documents: Georgia statement of information, loan documents, active legal contracts, or any other legal documents must be amended with the changed name.
Informing stakeholders: Ensure that you communicate the name change effectively to all your stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and partners in Georgia.
City/local registration: Some cities/local authorities in Georgia might need business registration. If your city has the same rule, then you must register your new business name with the city by submitting appropriate documents.
Business License: The business licenses you obtained previously to run a business in Georgia have the current name of your business. Hence, you must update your new name with the proper department to obtain appropriate business licenses and permits.
Bank Accounts: It is obvious that all your business accounts in Georgia have a current business name. Once you change the name, file the amendment, and pay the fees, you must update the bank accounts to avoid any inconvenience.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS): It is essential to update the IRS once you change your business name in Alabama. Neglecting to notify the IRS and other relevant entities may lead to confusion and disorganization within your business operations. It is absolutely necessary to amend with the IRS once you change the current business name in Georgia. Failing to amend with the IRS or any other places results in confusion and disorganization of the business.
Others: If you have employees, you must inform the employment development authority of the name change. Additionally, it is important to update various business permits and other legal documents as needed.
Website: Finally, if you have a domain, update the name there to avoid confusion. Signage, visiting cards, merchandise, and any other places where your business name is mentioned should be updated. Changing the domain name will not be a good idea as it can affect your SEO results.

FAQs

Is it necessary to change my business name in Georgia?

Yes, if you would like to use a new name for your business in Georgia, you must register it with the Secretary of State.

How do I change my business name in Georgia?

To change your business name in Georgia, you must submit an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

How long does it take to change the business name in Georgia?

It typically takes about 10-15 business days for the Secretary of State to process your name change in Georgia.

Is there a fee for changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, there is a filing fee of $25 plus a $5 service charge for changing your business name in Georgia.

Do I need to register a fictitious name to operate my business in Georgia?

Yes, if you are operating a business in Georgia under a name other than your full legal name, you must register a fictitious name with the Secretary of State.

How do I register a fictitious name in Georgia?

To register a fictitious name in Georgia, you must submit a Fictitious Name Registration form with the Secretary of State.

Is there a fee for registering a fictitious name in Georgia?

Yes, there is a filing fee of $25 for registering a fictitious name in Georgia.

Do I need to update my business name with the IRS after changing it in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business name with the IRS after changing it in Georgia.

How do I update my business name with the IRS after changing it in Georgia?

To update your business name with the IRS after changing it in Georgia, you must submit Form 8822-B with the IRS.

Is there a fee for updating my business name with the IRS after changing it in Georgia?

No, there is no fee for updating your business name with the IRS after changing it in Georgia.

Do I need to update my business name with the Georgia Department of Revenue after changing it in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business name with the Georgia Department of Revenue after changing it in Georgia.

How do I update my business name with the Georgia Department of Revenue after changing it in Georgia?

To update your business name with the Georgia Department of Revenue after changing it in Georgia, you must submit Form CRF-002 with the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Do I need to update my business name with the Georgia Secretary of State after changing it in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business name with the Georgia Secretary of State after changing it in Georgia.

How do I update my business name with the Georgia Secretary of State after changing it in Georgia?

To update your business name with the Georgia Secretary of State after changing it in Georgia, you must submit an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

Do I need to publish a notice of name change in a Georgia newspaper after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must publish a notice of name change in a Georgia newspaper after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I publish a notice of name change in a Georgia newspaper after changing my business name in Georgia?

To publish a notice of name change in a Georgia newspaper after changing your business name in Georgia, you must submit the notice to a newspaper of general circulation in the county where your business is located.

Do I need to notify my customers after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you should notify your customers after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I notify my customers after changing my business name in Georgia?

To notify your customers after changing your business name in Georgia, you can use email, mail, social media, or other methods to inform them of the change.

Do I need to update my business accounts after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must update all of your business accounts after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business accounts after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business accounts after changing your business name in Georgia, you must log into each account and update the business name in the settings.

Do I need to update my business website after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business website after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business website after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business website after changing your business name in Georgia, you must log into your website hosting service and update the business name in the settings.

Do I need to update my business logo after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you may need to update your business logo after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business logo after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business logo after changing your business name in Georgia, you can hire a professional graphic designer to create a new logo or modify your existing logo to reflect the new name.

Do I need to update my business cards after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business cards after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business cards after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business cards after changing your business name in Georgia, you can order new cards with the new name or modify the existing cards to reflect the new name.

Do I need to update my business stationery after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business stationery after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business stationery after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business stationery after changing your business name in Georgia, you can order new stationery with the new name or modify the existing stationery to reflect the new name.

Do I need to update my business signs after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business signs after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business signs after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business signs after changing your business name in Georgia, you can have new signs made with the new name or modify the existing signs to reflect the new name.

Do I need to update my business license after changing my business name in Georgia?

Yes, you must update your business license after changing your business name in Georgia.

How do I update my business license after changing my business name in Georgia?

To update your business license after changing your business name in Georgia, you must submit a new Business License Application with the appropriate licensing agency.

Why Georgia Change Business Name is So Important

The decision to change a business name might seem like a small gesture, but it can have significant implications for a company’s reputation and standing within its community. Names are powerful symbols that can carry historical and cultural baggage, and in the case of Georgia-based companies, their names were tied to the state’s history of racial segregation and discrimination.

By changing their names, these companies are taking a proactive stance against racism and showing their commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all their customers. This move is especially important in a state like Georgia, which has a long history of racial tension and inequality.

But changing a business name is not just about symbolism – it can also have practical implications for a company’s bottom line. In today’s increasingly diverse and socially conscious marketplace, customers are more likely to support businesses that align with their values and have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. By changing their names, Georgia-based companies are signaling to their customers that they are willing to listen and adapt to changing societal norms.

Furthermore, changing a business name can also help attract and retain top talent. In today’s competitive job market, companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion are more likely to appeal to a wide range of candidates, including those from underrepresented backgrounds. By demonstrating a willingness to address racial issues head-on, Georgia-based companies can create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace that attracts top talent from all walks of life.

Of course, changing a business name is just one small step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society. Companies must also take concrete actions to address systemic racism within their organizations and communities. This could include implementing diversity and inclusion training programs, recruiting and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds, and partnering with organizations that support social justice initiatives.

In conclusion, the decision by Georgia-based companies to change their names is an important and symbolic gesture that signals their commitment to racial equity and inclusivity. By taking this step, these companies are sending a powerful message to their customers and employees that they are committed to creating a more just and welcoming society for all. We hope that other businesses will follow suit and take similar actions to address systemic racism and promote diversity and inclusion in their organizations and communities.

Conclusion

It is not desirable to change business names frequently. But if it is required, you must change it. Whether you are rebranding or restructuring your company, this guide walks you through the essential steps to change your business name in Georgia efficiently and effectively. The process of changing the name and filing the amendment form in Georgia is not so difficult. However, a list of details is needed to submit. Make sure they all are accurate and consistent with the previous filing documents.