How to Change Your Pennsylvania Business Name

Ready to start a business in Pennsylvania? We can help you form your dream business in just minutes.

Check the availability of your new company name to get started.

Starts at $49 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes

Excellent

13,303 reviews

How to Get a New Business Name in Pennsylvania

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

Has your business outgrown its name? We know that nothing in life ever stays the same. Times change, and so do your circumstances. While the name you picked for your business when you first started it may have worked then, it might not be cutting it anymore. Fortunately, you have options.

Business name changes in Pennsylvania typically require filing Articles of Amendment for your corporation or a Certificate of Amendment for a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Our Amendment Filing Service gives you a quick and easy option for filing amendments.

Changing your business name can seem somewhat intimidating at first. Below we will go into more depth on how to change a business name in Pennsylvania and what you need to keep in mind when changing your name.

How to Get a New Business Name

It’s usually not a good idea to just jump into a name change. For most businesses, several issues need to be addressed before changing an entity’s name.

1) Choose a new business name

A business name change in Pennsylvania is usually pretty straightforward. One good thing is that Pennsylvania gives you some flexibility in choosing a name. That said, there are still rules that you need to follow when you change a business name in Pennsylvania. The new name will need to meet the following requirements:

Include appropriate abbreviations or words that indicate what kind of business you run (e.g., LLC, corporation, etc.)
The name of the company should be distinguishable from the names of other businesses filed with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State

2) Gather information for filing your amendment

When you file Pennsylvania Articles of Amendment for a Corporation or a Certificate of Amendment for an LLC, you will need to provide certain things to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. You may need to provide the following information:

The business’s current name
The new name
The date the original formation documents were filed
The entity’s registered address
How the amendment was approved
The filing fee
The signature of an authorized officer

There may be differences in the requirements for amending a corporation or LLC. Also, you may need to check the bylaws or other governing documents of your business to see who must approve name changes or amendments.

3) File your Pennsylvania amendment

You can file the Articles of Amendment or Certificate of Amendment for your business name change in Pennsylvania with the Pennsylvania Department of State’s office. It is important to remember that an amendment is different from a DBA or fictitious name. By using a DBA, you employ an assumed name, but your legal name remains the same. The Pennsylvania Department of State also accepts amendments and trade name registrations.

After You Change Your Business Name

In addition to changing your business name, you may need to take care of other things. A business name change in Pennsylvania is a big decision. A few things to keep in mind when you change your name include:

Making sure you have your name updated with relevant government agencies, both local and federal
Updating banking information
Updating your letterhead, email address, and other identifying items
Making changes to your website and other marketing materials to reflect the name change

Failure to take the above steps could cause confusion or even possible legal issues. It is also highly advisable to make sure any customers are aware of the name change. These steps are pretty simple to implement, but they are also essential.

We can help

Are you still struggling with how to change a business name in Pennsylvania? No matter how complicated your business name may seem, we make it simple for you to alter it. It’s okay if you haven’t formed an entity in Pennsylvania yet. Our Pennsylvania LLC and Pennsylvania Corporation Formation Services streamline creating a new Pennsylvania entity.

Our Worry-Free Compliance Service can help you stay compliant with Pennsylvania law. It is always our pleasure to assist our customers. Whatever your needs are, we can help, whether you are changing a name, forming a new business, or securing compliance.

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.

Get Started Today

FAQs

What's the difference between a doing-business-as (DBA) name and business name?
The name on your formation documents is the official name of your company. By contrast, a DBA or fictitious name is an alternate name your company uses.
Do I have to change my business name if I have a DBA name?
Your legal name does not change if you have a DBA, and a DBA does not have to be the same as an entity’s actual name. Most of the time, it is not.
How do I register my business name in Pennsylvania?
When forming an entity, including with our Formation Services, you will select a name that is registered with the state. You can also register a DBA, but this will not be your entity’s official name.
How many amendments can I make to my business?
The state of Pennsylvania doesn’t place any restrictions on how many amendments you file, but you will need to pay a separate filing fee every time you file an amendment.

Pennsylvania Business Resources

Change your business name in your state