Jake Lawson here. In my 15+ years helping entrepreneurs navigate business formation, I’ve seen plenty of Texas LLC owners need name changes. The good news? Texas makes it relatively straightforward. The reality? Most people underestimate the work involved beyond just filing with the state.
Your Texas LLC needs a name change. Maybe your business evolved, maybe you found a better name, or maybe you’re dealing with trademark issues. Whatever the reason, I’ll walk you through the complete process—not just the state filing, but everything you need to update afterward.
The bottom line upfront: Texas charges $150 to officially change your LLC name, but the real work comes from updating every place your old name exists.
Why Texas LLC Owners Change Names (The Most Common Reasons)
In my experience, these are the top reasons for name changes:
- Business evolution: Your company outgrew the original name
- Trademark conflicts: Someone challenged your name rights
- Partnership changes: Adding or removing business partners
- Marketing rebrand: Better name for customer appeal
- Legal requirements: Industry-specific naming rules
Important reality: A name change isn’t just about filing one form. Plan for 2-4 weeks of systematic updates across all your business accounts and documents.
Step 1: Verify Your New Name Is Available
Before you file anything, make sure your desired name is actually available in Texas. I can’t tell you how many entrepreneurs skip this step and get their amendment rejected.
How to check: Use the Texas Comptroller’s Taxable Entity Search tool to verify no other business is using your desired name or something confusingly similar.
Texas LLC name requirements:
- Must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company”
- Cannot be the same as or confusingly similar to existing business names
- Cannot imply government affiliation
- Must comply with any industry-specific naming rules
Pro tip: Also check domain name availability and do a basic trademark search. There’s no point changing to a name you can’t use for your website or that infringes on someone’s trademark.
Step 2: File the Certificate of Amendment
The official form: Certificate of Amendment (Form 424)
Filing fee: $150 (same whether filed online or by mail)
Processing time: 13-15 business days online, 4-8 weeks by mail
How to Complete Form 424
Entity Information Section:
- Current LLC name: Use the exact name currently on state records
- Entity type: Check “Limited Liability Company”
- File number: Your 10-digit Texas SOS file number (from entity search)
- Formation date: The date Texas originally approved your LLC
Amendments Section:
- New name: Enter your desired new LLC name (include “LLC” designator)
- Skip other sections unless you’re also changing registered agent or other details
Effectiveness Section: Most people choose “This document becomes effective when filed by the SOS” for immediate effect.
Execution Section:
- Sign using your current LLC name (not the new name)
- Who can sign:
- Member-managed LLC: Any managing member
- Manager-managed LLC: Any manager
- Professional service: Authorized person
Filing Options
Online (Recommended):
- Use Texas SOSUpload system
- Scan and upload signed form
- Pay $150 by credit card
- Get email confirmation
- 13-15 business day processing
By Mail:
- Send form + $150 check to: PO Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697
- Include two copies of the form
- 4-8 weeks processing plus mail time
My recommendation: File online unless you’re uncomfortable with electronic submissions. It’s faster and you get immediate confirmation.
Step 3: Update the IRS (Critical Step)
After your Texas approval, you must notify the IRS about your name change. Your EIN stays the same—you’re just updating the name associated with it.
How to notify the IRS:
- File Form 8822-B (Change of Address or Responsible Party – Business)
- Include a copy of your approved Certificate of Amendment
- Mail to the address specified in the form instructions
Common mistake: Don’t get a new EIN. This creates massive headaches with the IRS and financial institutions.
Step 4: Financial Institution Updates
This is where most LLC owners underestimate the work involved. Every financial account needs updating:
Banking and Credit
- Business bank accounts
- Business credit cards
- Business loans or lines of credit
- PayPal and payment processors
- Merchant accounts
- Investment accounts
Required Documentation
Most institutions want:
- Copy of approved Certificate of Amendment
- Updated Operating Agreement
- Business resolution authorizing the name change
Reality check: This process can take 2-4 weeks as you work through each institution’s requirements. Your existing checks and cards will work during the transition, but plan to complete updates within 60 days.
Step 5: Business License and Permit Updates
Texas-specific advantage: The Secretary of State automatically updates your name with the Texas Comptroller’s office within a few days. You don’t need to file separately with the state tax department.
Other licenses to update:
- Industry-specific state licenses
- Local business permits
- Federal licenses (if applicable)
- Professional licenses
Process varies: Some allow simple name updates, others require new applications. Contact each licensing agency directly.
Step 6: The Everything Else List
Here’s where a systematic approach saves time. Create a spreadsheet to track updates:
Professional Services
- Registered agent (if using a service)
- Accountant and bookkeeper
- Attorney
- Insurance companies
Online Presence
- Website and domain registrations
- Social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Online marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
- Business directories and listings
Contracts and Legal Documents
- Customer contracts
- Vendor agreements
- Lease agreements
- Operating Agreement (update and have members sign)
Marketing Materials
- Business cards and letterhead
- Brochures and promotional materials
- Signage
- Vehicle graphics
Government and Utilities
- Local tax offices
- Utility companies
- Department of Labor (if you have employees)
- Workers’ compensation insurance
Common Texas LLC Name Change Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Form
Don’t use: Form 414 (Restated Certificate of Formation) – costs $300
Do use: Form 424 (Certificate of Amendment) – costs $150
Mistake 2: Not Getting Member Approval First
Texas requires LLC member consent for name changes. Get this agreement before filing, even if it’s just an informal email or phone conversation.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the IRS Update
Your state approval doesn’t automatically update federal records. File Form 8822-B with the IRS.
Mistake 4: Getting a New EIN
Keep your existing EIN and just update the associated name. Getting a new EIN creates tax filing confusion.
Mistake 5: Rushing the Update Process
Plan for 4-6 weeks to systematically update all accounts and agreements. Don’t try to do everything in one day.
Timeline and Cost Reality Check
State filing: 13-15 business days (online), $150 IRS update: 2-4 weeks (by mail)
Financial institutions: 1-3 weeks each
Complete process: 6-8 weeks for everything
Total costs vary:
- DIY approach: $150 + your time
- Professional help: $269-$400 total
- Plus potential costs for new marketing materials, checks, etc.
When to Hire Professional Help
Handle it yourself if:
- Simple single-member LLC
- Comfortable with forms and follow-up
- Have time to manage the process
Consider professional help if:
- Complex ownership structure
- Multiple business licenses
- Extensive contracts requiring updates
- Time is more valuable than the service cost
Operating Agreement Updates
Don’t forget: Update your Operating Agreement with the new LLC name and have all members sign the revised document.
Two approaches:
- Create an amendment to existing agreement
- Draft new Operating Agreement with updated name
Document this change properly—it’s often overlooked but important for legal clarity.
Texas Name Change Advantages
What makes Texas relatively easy:
- Online filing with reasonable processing times
- Automatic update to state tax records
- No publication requirements
- Clear forms and instructions
- Reasonable $150 fee
Special Considerations
Multi-Member LLCs
If the name change relates to membership changes (partner leaving, etc.), you may also need to:
- File additional amendments for membership changes
- Update bank account signatories
- Handle final tax returns for departing members
Trademark Issues
If your name change is due to trademark conflicts, consult with an intellectual property attorney to ensure your new name doesn’t create similar problems.
The Bottom Line on Texas LLC Name Changes
Texas makes the official name change process relatively straightforward with online filing and reasonable fees. The real work comes from systematically updating every place your LLC name appears.
My recommended approach:
- Verify new name availability thoroughly
- Get member approval and document it
- File Certificate of Amendment online
- Update IRS immediately after state approval
- Tackle financial institutions systematically
- Handle licenses and permits
- Update marketing materials and contracts
Time investment: 4-8 hours spread over 6-8 weeks
Total cost: $150-$400 depending on professional help
Penalty for doing it wrong: Compliance issues, rejected applications, tax filing problems
Don’t rush the process. It’s better to take 6-8 weeks and do it right than to miss critical updates that cause problems later.
Planning a Texas LLC name change? Make sure you understand all your ongoing Texas LLC requirements. Check out our complete Texas LLC guide to stay on top of annual reports, tax obligations, and compliance requirements—because a successful name change is just one part of proper LLC management.
Questions about Texas LLC name changes or ongoing compliance? I’ve helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs navigate these exact processes. Contact me—I’m here to help you avoid the mistakes that create expensive problems down the road.