Change Iowa LLC name
You can change the name of a Iowa LLC by filing a certificate of amendment with the secretary of state. Read the step-by-step instructions below:
Official Iowa form to change LLC name
Fill up the LLC amendment form and mail it to the Iowa secretary of state to change an LLC's name.
Amendment form
What is an LLC?
Limited Liability Company
LLC is a business entity in the U.S that provides limited liability to its members. It has characteristics from both corporation and sole proprietorship. LLCs are permitted under State statutes of each US state.
Limited liability
Personal assets are protected for people with limited liability when they are sued.
Corporation
A business entity that can issue shares and give limited liability to shareholders.
Members
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Sole proprietorship
Where an individual engages in business activity without formal organization.
Types of LLC
Depends on the number of members and whether it has elected to change its IRS classification.
Single-member LLC
Has only a single member. IRS considers it as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.
LLC as C-corp
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Multi-member LLC
Has two members. IRS considers it as a partnership for tax purposes.
LLC as S-corp
A special election for a maximum of 100 US shareholders.
Actions
Step-by-step instructions
How to change an LLC name in Iowa?
Check the steps below:
1. Choose a new name
Before you proceed with changing your existing LLC name, make sure to find a new LLC name that suits your business.
Ensure the name follows the state's LLC naming guidelines. See them in detail below.
Search for possible names through the state's business entity search tool. Make sure the name you pick is available.
2. Reserve the new name (optional)
Optionally, you can reserve a name with the state. You can do so by paying reservation fees to the Iowa secretary of state.
Reservation fee
$10
Reservation period
120 days
3. File amendment to certificate of organization
You may fill and file an Amendment to certificate of organization for the LLC with the secretary of state via mail to update the state of the new name. There is no standard form for this, the link has the required information which needs to be submitted.
Filing fees
$50
Address
Secretary of State
Business Services Division
Lucas Building, 1st Floor
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
4. Update your operating agreement
Make note of the name change in your operating agreement and update accordingly.
5. Update state and federal government records
Check all the government records, including tax registrations, employer records, etc and update your new name.
6. Inform your business contacts
Make sure you update your bank, vendors, customers and other related parties with your LLC's new name
Entity name
Every LLC should have a unique name in Iowa. Iowa maintains a list of names of entities in the state. Go through it to check if your chosen name is available.
Search for names
Go to the official website of the Iowa business entities search tool to see if the name you want is available.
Searching fee
Free
Reservation
You can reserve a name for your LLC for a specific duration by paying reservation fees to the Iowa business services. You will have to file your LLC formation documents within this period to keep the name. Alternatively, you can directly go ahead with the LLC formation without any reservation. That's fine too.
Reservation fee
$40
Reservation period
120 days
LLC naming guidelines
The name you choose for your LLC must the official naming guidelines.
Iowa Code §489.108
Visit
Here are some of the guidelines in simple language:
- 1
The name of a limited liability company must contain the words “limited liability company” or “limited company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.”, or “LC”. “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.”, and “company” may be abbreviated as “Co.”
- 2
Don’t include terms that indicate that you are doing an activity that you are not authorised to do.
- 3
Your name should be ‘distinguishable’ in the Secretary of State records. Adding a punctuation or ‘the’ does not make it distinguishable.
- 4
Don’t use words that makes it seems like you are a governmental entity or has an affiliation.
LLC Biennial Report
Every LLC has to file this report in Iowa to stay compliant with the state laws.
Filing Biennial Report
Iowa LLC is expected to file this report biennially
File it online on Iowa Secretary of State website
Visit
Online fee
$30
Online processing time
instant
Failure to pay
Iowa does not charge late fees if you miss your filing deadline but may administratively dissolve your LLC after a few months for failure to file a biennial report.
Frequently asked questions
Related steps in Iowa
LLC in Iowa is a powerful entity for entrepreneurs. After the formation, you may have to add a member, remove a member or change registered agents. Read how to do these actions.
Iowa LLC
Iowa LLC add member
Iowa LLC remove member