Change of business name

Changes to your business may require a new license. See below for details about changes that can be made to existing licenses and changes that require application for a new license.

A new license is NOT required when:

• changing the legal name of a business,

• changing or replacing an existing assumed name ("doing business as") of a business, or

• adding an assumed name ("doing business as") to a business.

A new license IS required when:

• Creating a New legal business entity.The dissolution of one legal business entity being replaced by a new legal business entity. Examples include old corporation being dissolved and replaced by a new corporation, and old limited liability company (LLC) being dissolved and replaced with a new LLC.

• Change of legal business entity type. A change from one type of legal business entity to a different type of legal business entity. Examples include individual proprietor to LLC, or individual proprietor to corporation, or corporation to LLC, or LLC to corporation, or individual proprietor to partnership, or partnership to limited liability partnership (LLP), or corporation to individual proprietor, or LLC to individual proprietor, or partnership to individual proprietor, etc.

• Multiple assumed names. A business entity may conduct business under names other than its legal corporate name as long as the other names (legally known as an assumed name and commonly referred to as a "dba") are filed with the Secretary of State and appear on the company’s liability insurance certificate and surety bond (if applicable) filed with us. Only one assumed name can appear on the company’s license

Change the legal name of a licensed business

1.) Amend legal documents creating the business entity to reflect its new legal name.

• A corporation would amend its Articles of Incorporation.

• A limited liability company would amend its Articles of Organization.

• A partnership would amend its partnership agreement.

2.) If you are a Minnesota-organized business entity, file the applicable business name change form and filing fee with the Secretary of State.

• Corporation -- Amendment of Articles of Incorporation

• LLC -- Amendment of Articles of Organization

• LLP -- State of Amendment or Cancellation

3.) If you are a foreign business entity, file the applicable form and filing fee with the Minnesota Secretary of State:

• Foreign corporation -- Name Change Amendment Form.

• Foreign LLC -- Foreign LLC Amendment Form.

• Foreign LLP -- Statement of Amendment or Cancellation Form

4.) Update the insured name on your insurance coverage to the new legal business entity name, including liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. Contact your insurance agent.

5.) Update the legal business name on your bond, if applicable, to the new legal business entity name. This includes bonds for electrical contractors, elevator contractors, high pressure piping businesses, manufactured home manufacturers, manufactured home dealers, manufactured home dealer subagency, manufactured home installers, plumbing contractors, residential roofers, technology system contractors, and water conditioning contractors. Contact your insurance agent or the surety company issuing your bond for assistance.

6.) To complete the name change, submit the following documents to us:

• Completed DLI Licensed Business Name Change form.

• Copy of the amendment changing the legal name with Minnesota Secretary of State.

• Updated Certificate of Insurance showing the new legal entity as the insured.

• A bond rider (if appropriate) showing the new legal entity covered by the bond

Change, replace or add an assumed name (doing business as) of a licensed business entity

1.) File the correct form with the Minnesota Secretary of State

• For changing or replacing an assumed name, complete and submit the Amendment to Certificate of Assumed Name with filing fee to the Minnesota Secretary of State.

• To add an assumed name, complete and submit the Certificate of Assumed Name with filing fee to the Minnesota Secretary of State

2.) Update the insured name on your insurance coverage to include the legal business entity name and the changed or additional assumed name, including liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. The insured name should be LEGAL NAME dba NEW ASSUMED NAME. Contact your insurance agent for assistance.

3.) Update the business name on your bond, if applicable, and get a rider from the surety company that changes the business name to be the LEGAL NAME dba NEW ASSUMED NAME. This requirement applies to bonds for: electrical contractors, elevator contractors, high pressure piping businesses, manufactured home manufacturers, manufactured home dealers, manufactured home dealer subagency, manufactured home installers, plumbing contractors, residential roofers, technology system contractors, and water conditioning contractors. Contact your insurance agent or the surety company issuing your bond for assistance.

4.) Submit the following documents to us:

• Completed DLI Licensed Business Name Change form.

• Copy of the Amendment to Certificate of Assumed Name or Certificate of Assumed Name filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

• Updated Certificate of insurance showing the LEGAL NAME dba NEW ASSUMED NAME as the insured.

• A bond rider (if appropriate) showing the business name covered by the bond as the LEGAL NAME dba NEW ASSUMED NAME.